Can Gio District in HCM City, recognised as the first Mangrove Biosphere Reserve in Vietnam by UNESCO, is a perfect day trip from HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo

Located 50km southeast of the HCM City centre, the Can Gio wetlands can be visited easily by speedboat, car, motorbike or bus.

One of its attractions is "Monkey Island" with about 1,500 monkeys. Monkeys are scattered throughout the tourism area, though they seem to gather at the gate hoping to be fed.

However, visitors must be careful about personal items such as cameras, phones, hats and glasses because they could get snatched by inquisitive monkeys.

Besides Monkey Island, Can Gio is famous for its seafood such as crab, mudskipper, duck, mullet and oysters that grow naturally in mangroves. Roasted crabs with tamarind sauce, grilled mudskippers with chili salt, sour eeltail catfish soup, and grilled oysters are must-try dishes.  VNS

Can Gio’s mangrove forests a haven for stressed-out travellers

Noted for its vast mangrove forests, pure air and wildlife sanctuaries, the coastal district of Can Gio and its Mangrove Biosphere Reserve is a perfect weekend break from the frenzied activity of the country's big cities.

Efforts made to preserve Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve

Can Gio- Ho Chi Minh City was recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve with primeval forests and abundant floral coverage.