1. Where is Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary?
Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary is located along the Ba Lai River. It is located in Tan Xuan and My Hoa communes, Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province, Vietnam. It is located about 35 km southeast of Ben Tre city center and about 120 km south of Ho Chi Minh city.
2. How is Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary unique?
Vam Ho is known for its mangrove forest with an area of over 40 hectares. Of which, there are about 15 hectares of primeval palm forests and more than 7 hectares of palm forests planted by people in Ba Tri district.
Moreover, Vam Ho is also the largest bird sanctuary in Ben Tre province, it impresses with its extremely unique ecosystem. From the vast green forests to the flocks of birds flying, the amazing nature here always knows how to attract visitors.
The vegetation of Vam Ho is extremely diverse, such as: water coconut, date palm, mangrove, mam, … on the high floors suitable for birds. On the low floors there are trees such as: o ro, coc kong, rau mung, lau say, … It is suitable for storks and herons to make nests and breed.
When traveling here, you have the opportunity to participate in activities such as: observing the habits of birds, caring for and nurturing and watching the magical sunset on the river.
3. When is the best time to visit Vam Ho bird sanctuary?
Located in the tropical monsoon climate near the equator, Vam Ho bird sanctuary in Ben Tre has cool, mild weather all year round. Therefore, you can travel here at any time of the year.
However, according to the Ben Tre travel experience of tourists who have been here. The most ideal time for you to visit Vam Ho bird sanctuary is in the dry season, from October to April of the following year. During this time, birds begin to gather here to breed, you can clearly see the tops of mangroves, banyan trees, and mam trees heavy with bird nests. By August, they fly away to another place, this habit has been preserved for decades.
In addition, if you want to travel to the garden, explore nature, you can come here from May to July every year. This is the ripening season of fruits such as Cai Mon durian, mangosteen, rambutan, guava, etc.
In addition, this place often organizes unique traditional festivals that you should not miss. These are: Traditional Revolutionary Festival on January 17th, Ky Yen Festival on March 18th and 19th of the lunar calendar, Cau Bong Festival on November 10th of the lunar calendar. Or Nguyen Dinh Chieu Festival on July 1st of the lunar calendar, and Nghinh Ong Festival in April and June of the lunar calendar every year.
4. How to get to Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary?
Starting from Ho Chi Minh City, you can take a motorbike or bus to the center of Ben Tre city, which is about 88 km southwest of Saigon. After arriving at the center of Ben Tre city, you can rent a motorbike or take a taxi straight to Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary.
In general, the route to Vam Ho is quite easy to travel with google map. People just need to go along Huynh Tan Phat Street, pass DH173, then follow Ba Lai River towards Tan My Market to reach Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary. If this is your first time traveling here, at the bends, you can combine asking local people or follow Google map instructions to avoid getting lost.
5. Activities and experiences when traveling to Vam Ho bird sanctuary
5.1 Boat riding to explore the Southwest region
When traveling to Vam Ho bird sanctuary, you will experience a boat ride through the cool green old forests and bustling with birdsong. Visit the resistance base, cross the shaky bamboo bridges, lie down on a hammock swinging under the forest canopy, and breathe the fresh air of the Ba Lai River.
In addition, you can also freely admire the wild beauty of the rice fields, the curved coconut trees and the green water forests. The boat goes through the vast canals, closely interacting with the daily life of the people living along the river.
5.2 Admiring rare birds
It is rare to find a place as wild, beautiful, and full of birds and aquatic products as here. Currently, this place owns over 120 rare bird species. Such as: storks, herons, gong coc, gray herons, white quam, le le, … and many wild animals such as: pythons, snakes, squirrels, weasels, bats, monitor lizards, ….
The most interesting thing is in the afternoon, when the sun is about to set. You will hear the interesting “symphony” of thousands of birds from all over the place flying back and chirping together after a day of flying around to find food in all four directions. And the call of flocks of storks preparing to flap their wings to find food at night.
5.3 Discovering the beauty of Vam Ho bird sanctuary
Vam Ho is a saltwater wetland, with an average height of 1.25 meters above sea level, so it is safe from annual high tides. Vam Ho vegetation has water coconut, date palm, mangrove, mam, … in the high layer, very ideal for birds to live. The lower floors are dominated by trees such as mangrove, hibiscus, cypress, trumpet vine, sea spinach, reeds, etc., which are very convenient for storks and herons to nest and breed.
Inside the bird garden is a system of canals as intricate as a spider web. Therefore, aquatic species such as shrimp and fish are abundant, mainly goby fish, crabs, freshwater shrimp, etc. They are a rich source of food for birds and storks here.
5.4 Visiting the farm – Vam Ho bird sanctuary
When visiting the Vam Ho tourist farm – Bird Sanctuary, you can also visit the old resistance base. This place used to hide many revolutionary troops underground. Or you can also participate in some folk games. Such as: walking on the monkey bridge, walking on a rope across the lake, riding a mini cyclo, the old swing game, etc.
This place also develops an area to grow many types of tropical fruits that bear fruit all year round. You can enjoy organic fruits such as grapefruit, jackfruit, papaya, custard apple, etc. right in the garden, which are grown by yourself.
6. Enjoying the cuisine when traveling to Vam Ho bird sanctuary
Vam Ho is not only famous for its natural beauty but also attracts with its diverse and unique specialties. When traveling to Vam Ho, you will enjoy the wonderful flavors of many delicious rustic dishes. Such as: braised duck, grilled eel with scallion oil, grilled snakehead fish, hot pot, braised fish in clay pot, pancakes, fish sauce with pork belly, and traditional cakes.
In addition, the menu is also diverse with scallops, snails, and fresh seafood. Unique culinary specialties combined with the sophisticated preparation of local people create a culinary experience not to be missed when visiting Vam Ho bird sanctuary.
7. Accommodation when traveling to Vam Ho bird sanctuary
A day at Vam Ho is definitely a great experience, but if you can stay to admire the sunrise and sunset. These are the two most beautiful times of the day here. As well as to increase the relaxation of the trip, there is nothing better.
The accommodation is built in a “rustic” style with a strong “garden” character. This is also an interesting thing to help you immerse yourself in nature and enjoy a truly fresh and warm space.
If you want to stay in more comfortable accommodation, after participating in the interesting activities here. You can return to the center of Ben Tre city to relax and stay overnight.
- Charming Countryside Homestay. Address: 208D Hamlet 4, Nhon Thanh, Ben Tre City, Ben Tre.
- Ben Tre Garden Farmstay. Address: Group 10, Phuoc Xuan Hamlet, Chau Thanh, Ben Tre.
- Diamond Stars Ben Tre Hotel. Address: 140 Hung Vuong, Ward 3, Ben Tre, Ben Tre Province.
- Innerzen Riverside homestay Ben Tre. Address: 369C, Ward 2B, Nhon Thanh Commune, Ben Tre, Ben Tre Province.
- Dai Phuc Hotel. Address: 1K Nguyen Thi Dinh, Phu Khuong, Ben Tre City, Ben Tre.
- Phuong Hoang Hotel. Address: 28 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Tre City, Ben Tre.
- Quoc Phuong Riverside Homestay. Address: Phu Tuc, Chau Thanh, Ben Tre.
- Cocoland Hometay. Address: Group 3, Phuoc Hoa Hamlet, Thanh Trieu, Chau Thanh, Ben Tre.
8. Some notes when traveling to Vam Ho bird sanctuary
To make your Mekong trip to Vam Ho bird sanctuary safe and enjoyable. You need to refer to some necessary notes below:
- When traveling to Vam Ho, you should choose comfortable clothes. Such as: T-shirts, jeans, scarves, skirts, sneakers, soft-soled sandals, etc.
- When riding a sampan, do not put your hands on the side of the boat. Because if there is a collision with another boat, your hands may be injured.
- You can support the boatman with some money, this is not required.
- Bring bottled water and snacks to recharge when needed.
- Umbrellas, sunscreen, spare phone chargers, … are necessary items to bring, do not forget.
- In particular, you should not approach too close to flocks of birds, storks, … causing chaos and disrupting their daily lives.
- It is strictly forbidden to hunt or kill the wild animals here.
Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary is a “precious gem” that nature has bestowed upon Ben Tre province. When you come here, you will enjoy the fresh air, discover many interesting things about the mangrove forest. Or having the opportunity to learn about the lives of animals.
Contact Origin Vietnam – a reliable tour operator. We will accompany you on the Vietnam eco tour to explore this unique bird sanctuary. At the same time, you will also find a typical agricultural ecological area of the rice civilization with many rivers, canals and gardens.
