You don't need to travel all the way to the far reaches of the Mekong Delta;
right here in Quang Ngai , there's a mangrove forest called Bau Ca Cai that's as
beautiful as poetry, captivating countless tourists.
Bau Cai Cai is a mangrove forest located in Thuan Phuoc village, Binh Thuan
commune, Binh Son district, about 40km northeast of Quang Ngai city center.
Initially, this area was just a protective forest to act as a wave barrier and
improve the ecological environment. However, due to its exceptionally
picturesque scenery and to improve the lives of the coastal residents, the
Vietnamese government collaborated with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to develop
it into an eco-tourism area. Now, it has become a must-visit destination for
tourists visiting Quang Ngai.
The Bau Ca Cai eco-tourism area is located at the foot of unique, bowl-shaped
mountains, and the scenery here will surprise you just as much. It covers a
total area of 110 hectares, of which 60 hectares are planted with mangrove trees
and 50 hectares with white hog plum trees.
The mangrove forest is notable for its rows of trees, approximately 100-200
meters long, planted neatly in a straight line, with each row spaced about 4-10
meters apart to allow easy boat access. When viewed from above, it resembles a
carefully planned urban area, which is extremely impressive.
Unmissable activities at Bau Ca Cai
Take a scenic boat trip
The most enjoyable activity that everyone must try when visiting Bau Ca Cai in
Quang Ngai is renting a boat from the locals to admire the scenery of the
forest. The feeling of gliding through the green canopy, being enveloped in the
fresh, clean air of the trees, and listening to the chirping of birds echoing
from within the bushes will surely leave you utterly captivated.
Furthermore, during your boat trip, you can also admire flocks of white birds,
egrets, and wild ducks filling the sky, as if even the clouds want to descend to
chat and converse with the tourists.
In particular, the locals here are extremely friendly and hospitable. They act
as both boatmen and highly professional local guides, not only taking you to the
most beautiful spots but also sharing the ancient origins of each location, all
with bright smiles on their faces. That's why anyone who visits Bau Ca Cai in
Quang Ngai is reluctant to leave.
Taking beautiful photos
Another special feature that makes the Bau Ca Cai mangrove forest so attractive
is that every nook and cranny, every spot here is a perfect photo spot for those
who love taking pictures: from the intertwined branches that resemble an archway
to the soft, fluffy reeds, or even the bamboo fences that locals use to raise
fish and shrimp... all can create photos that will garner thousands of likes.
Experience the authentic life of the local people
This area is an ideal environment for the growth of shrimp, crabs, fish, snails,
etc., so it would be really interesting to join the locals in casting nets,
using traps or seines to catch seafood. Afterwards, you can bring it back and
prepare delicious dishes yourself using the unique recipes and spices of the
local people. With such abundant ingredients, you're guaranteed to have a wide
variety of dishes to choose from.
In addition, Bau Ca Cai in Quang Ngai also has corn fritters – a famous Quang
Ngai specialty that you definitely have to try.
Camping
After enjoying the scenery to your heart's content, you can head ashore to set
up your tent. This activity allows you to witness a breathtaking sunset over the
water and gaze at the starry sky, like the Milky Way, by a crackling campfire.
You can drift off to sleep to the cheerful sounds of frogs and crickets, and
wake up to the melodious chirping of birds in the early morning.
This could be a fantastic experience, but it's only suitable for those who enjoy
exploring new things and challenging themselves, as the area is quite remote and
security isn't very good. Of course, you must bring your own tent, tarp, and
food, and camping is only allowed in large groups, and it's especially only
possible during the dry season.
The ideal time to visit Bau Ca Cai
Each season, Bau Ca Cai in Quang Ngai has a different beauty: in spring, the
trees sprout new leaves and buds, their white blossoms like flickering flames
warming the land. When summer arrives, the vibrant green of the trees, water,
and sky blend together to create a refreshing and lively picture.
As autumn arrives, the leaves gradually turn yellow and fall, creating a
romantic scene reminiscent of Korean dramas. But perhaps the most unique time is
late autumn and early winter, when almost all the leaves have fallen, leaving
behind bare, white branches, as if covered in snow, leaving everyone amazed and
astonished. Especially, the climate in Quang Ngai at this time is extremely
cool, making it an ideal time to visit Bau Ca Cai.
Some notes about traveling to Bau Ca Cai
- Boat trip: 150.000 VND/boat for 2 people
- If you go in the summer, remember to apply sunscreen and bring a hat, scarf,
and sunglasses, because the middle section of the river has no trees for shade
and will be very sunny, and the scorching sun of Central Vietnam is no joke.
- It's best to go in the morning from 7:30 to 8:30 or in the afternoon from 5 PM
to 6 PM because the sunlight is gentle at these times, making it ideal for
taking beautiful photos and protecting your health.
- If you have the time, go on a weekday, avoiding holidays or weekends, as those
are the busiest times, your photos will be overcrowded, and you might even be
unable to rent a boat.
Asiatica Travel Vietnam provides Vietnam tour packages for all budget types
& groups: luxury, standard & budget to suit your choice & pocket. We offer
adventure tours, cycling tours, cooking classes, educational tours, and
excursions to major tourist destinations like Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta and Phu
Quoc island...
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