Cần Giờ’s mangrove forests are a haven for stressed-out travelers
Noted for its vast mangrove forests, pure air, and wildlife sanctuaries, the coastal district of Cần Giờ and its Mangrove Biosphere Reserve is a perfect weekend break from the frenzied activity of the country’s big cities. Noted for its vast mangrove forests, pure air, and wildlife sanctuaries, the coastal district of Cần Giờ and its Mangrove Biosphere Reserve is a perfect weekend break from the frenzied activity of the country’s big cities. Located 50km southeast of the HCM City center, the Cần Giờ wetlands can be visited easily by speedboat, car, motorbike, or bus. Regarded as the “green lung” of the city, the area is home to more than 33,900 hectares of mangroves, one of the most extensively rehabilitated mangrove forests in the world. In 2000 UNESCO designated Cần Giờ as the first Mangrove Biosphere Reserve in Việt Nam. With a coastal line of 23km and a river network stretching 22,000 hectares, Cần Giờ has perfect conditions for aquaculture and agriculture as well as eco-tourism and sea tourism.
Must-visit tomb of Nguyễn Dynasty hero in HCM City
Not far from a crowded market in HCM City is a temple that enshrines a revered hero with a bloody family tragedy. HCM CITY — Not far from a crowded market in HCM City is a temple that enshrines a revered hero with a bloody family tragedy. Ông Bà Chiểu Temple sits on a piece of land that is shaped like a turtle’s back and slightly higher than its surroundings. The temple’s location is considered supreme in feng shui terms. It is located next to Bà Chiểu Market in Bình Thạnh District and is where hero and high-ranking mandarin of the Nguyễn Dynasty, Lê Văn Duyệt (1764-1832), is buried along with his wife Đỗ Thị Phận. The temple has four gates named after the cardinal directions, with the Southern Gate now used as the main one. According to the monument management board, 100-200 locals and foreigners visit every day. During Tết (Lunar New Year), 100,000 people visit to pay their respects.
Explore the first museum in southern Việt Nam
The HCM City Museum of History is located at Nguyễn Bỉnh Kiêm Street in District 1, set beside Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which were built by the French colonialists. HCM CITY The HCM City Museum of History is located at Nguyễn Bỉnh Kiêm Street in District 1, set beside Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which were built by the French colonialists. The museum opened in 1929 with a harmonious combination of French and Asiatic influences. Both the building and the surrounding gardens give an exceptional escape from the bustling vibe of the city. The museum itself has an area of 3,000 square meters and is divided into several rooms with 18 display spaces. All the rooms are connected with each other through the main hall. One of the largest museums in the south, it has more than 40,000 artifacts from many countries and ethnic groups. The displays consist of two main parts. The first exhibit’s artifacts of Vietnamese history dating from the prehistoric era to the end of the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802-1945), the country’s last royal family; the other features the history of southern Việt Nam and some Asian countries. The museum is open seven days a week and the entry fee is VNĐ30,000 (US$1.3).