Nestled amid the alluvial plains of Vietnam’s southwest, Thien Cam Son in An Giang stands apart as a rare biodiversity treasure, dubbed the “living gene bank” of the Mekong Delta.
 

Amid the waterways and expansive rice fields of the Mekong Delta lies a remarkable natural biosphere: Thien Cam Son in An Giang Province. Revered as a “living gene bank,” this mountain ecosystem is one of the delta's most precious biological reserves.

The green summit of the Mekong - A rare genetic vault

Thien Cam Son, also known as Cam Mountain, is a majestic natural landscape interwoven with religious and cultural landmarks such as the largest Maitreya Buddha statue in Southeast Asia, Phat Lon Pagoda, and Van Linh Pagoda. While long associated with spiritual pilgrimage, Cam Mountain is now gaining recognition for its critical role as the region’s biodiversity hub. It shelters a variety of rare and endemic species, laying the foundation for sustainable ecological research and conservation.

According to the latest 2024 biological survey, Thien Cam Son is home to 102 species of vascular plants across 57 families - an increase from earlier studies. In total, 178 plant species have been recorded in the area. Among them is Aquilaria crassna, a critically endangered agarwood tree classified by the IUCN. Known as “liquid gold,” it is prized for its high medicinal and aromatic value.

Thien Cam Son’s rich plant life is matched by its impressive animal diversity. It is home to the rare Cyrtodactylus septimontium (Bay Nui bent-toed gecko), a species only formally documented in 2019. Other notable inhabitants include king cobras, over 80 species of forest butterflies, and the red-legged frog Micryletta erythropoda, all contributing to one of the most stratified and diverse ecosystems within the entire That Son mountain range.

Thanks to overlapping microclimates and a granite-based geology dating back over 100 million years, Thien Cam Son functions as an “open-air biological laboratory.” It is small enough for focused research yet diverse enough to preserve the region’s endemic genetic resources across the southwestern uplands.

Thien Cam Son - Where ecology, spirituality, and knowledge converge

While tourism continues to grow, the mountain is also a field of study for biologists, botanists, and zoologists who conduct specialized research expeditions in the area. Preserving and promoting Thien Cam Son as a regional-scale “living gene bank” is vital - not only for An Giang but for Vietnam’s broader biodiversity strategy.

With the development of cable cars, walking trails, eco-friendly accommodations, and scenic check-in points at lakes, forests, and caves, Cam Mountain is being shaped into a sparkling “green jewel” in the heart of the Mekong.

Each step taken on this mountain reminds visitors of the intricate connection between humans and nature, between faith and life itself.

In the face of climate change and global biodiversity loss, Thien Cam Son serves as a model for tourism integrated with conservation. This is not only a wise choice but a responsibility for future generations.

Chan An