Ca Mau, the land at the end of the Fatherland, is not only famous for the immense U Minh mangrove forest and diverse ecosystem but also an attractive destination with unique travel experiences. Among them, Mui Ca Mau and Tu Na Bird Garden are two must-visit destinations, offering visitors exciting discoveries of nature, culture, and people here. This article will be a travel guide to Ca Mau, especially focusing on Mui Ca Mau and Tu Na Bird Garden, helping you have a complete and memorable exploration journey.
Travel tips for visiting Ca Mau, Vietnam
Discovering Mui Ca Mau – The Sacred Southernmost Point of Vietnam
Mui Ca Mau, also known as Dat Mui, is a place of special significance in the heart of every Vietnamese person. Coming here, you will not only set foot on the southernmost point of the country but also immerse yourself in the pristine nature, feel the majesty of the sea, and discover the unique cultural features of this land.
Location and Historical Significance
Mui Ca Mau is located in Dat Mui commune, Ngoc Hien district, Ca Mau province. This place is considered the final point on the map of Vietnam, a sacred symbol of territorial sovereignty and the indomitable spirit of the nation. Mui Ca Mau is not only a tourist destination but also a milestone marking the country’s outreach to the vast sea, affirming Vietnam’s position on the world map.
Mui Ca Mau, the southernmost point of Vietnam
Must-See Attractions in Mui Ca Mau
GPS Coordinate Landmark 0001: This is an indispensable symbol when setting foot in Mui Ca Mau. The landmark marks the southernmost point of the country, where you can take souvenir photos and feel national pride.
Mother Statue: The majestic Mother Statue facing the East Sea is a meaningful cultural work, expressing deep gratitude to the heroic Vietnamese mothers who sacrificed for the country’s independence and freedom.
Lac Long Quan Temple and Whale Statue: The temple and whale statue area carries the spiritual culture of the coastal fishermen. Here, you can learn about the belief in worshiping Whale and pray for peace and luck for your sea trip.
Ca Mau Mangrove Forest: Mui Ca Mau is surrounded by lush mangrove forests, creating a unique saltwater ecosystem. You can join boat tours to explore the mangrove forest, learn about the life of typical flora and fauna, and enjoy the fresh, cool air.
Dat Mui Market: Coming to Dat Mui market, you will experience the bustling trading atmosphere of the coastal market, enjoy fresh seafood, and buy local specialties as gifts.
Activities and Experiences in Mui Ca Mau
Check-in at the National Coordinate Landmark: This is definitely a must-do activity when coming to Mui Ca Mau. Capture memorable moments at the sacred landmark, marking your journey to conquer the southernmost point of the Fatherland.
Watching Sunrise and Sunset over the Sea: Mui Ca Mau is one of the ideal places to watch sunrise and sunset over the sea. The sky with brilliant colors blends with the vast sea, creating a beautiful natural picture.
Exploring the Mangrove Forest by Boat: Sitting on a boat weaving through small canals, exploring the lush mangrove forest, and learning about the diverse ecosystem is an interesting and unique experience.
Enjoying Local Cuisine: Fresh seafood is a famous specialty of Mui Ca Mau. You can enjoy attractive dishes such as grilled shrimp, crab with tamarind sauce, grilled mudskipper, hotpot with fermented fish sauce (Lẩu mắm)… at restaurants, seaside eateries, or in Dat Mui market.
Travel Tips for Mui Ca Mau
Ideal Time to Visit: The dry season (from December to April) is the best time to travel to Mui Ca Mau. At this time, the weather is dry, with little rain, which is favorable for traveling and sightseeing.
Transportation:
- Road and Waterway: From the center of Ca Mau city, you can take a bus or motorbike to Nam Can town, then travel by boat or speedboat to Mui Ca Mau.
- Speedboat: Speedboat is the fastest and most convenient means of transportation to Mui Ca Mau. You can rent a speedboat at Nam Can wharf or book a package tour.
Accommodation: In Mui Ca Mau, there are many accommodation options from budget guesthouses to homestays close to nature. You can choose a place to stay that suits your needs and budget.
Cost: The cost of traveling to Mui Ca Mau is quite affordable. You can save costs by choosing suitable means of transport and accommodation, and enjoying local cuisine at affordable eateries.
Tu Na Bird Garden – A Bird Paradise in the Heart of Nam Can
Tu Na Bird Garden is located right in the center of Nam Can town, Ca Mau province, and is an ideal destination for those who love nature and want to explore the world of birds. This bird garden is home to thousands of birds of various species, creating a vivid and colorful natural picture.
Tu Na Bird Garden in Nam Can, Ca Mau
Location and Features of Tu Na Bird Garden
Tu Na Bird Garden does not have a large area but has a very high density of birds. The bird garden is located in a residential area, surrounded by green trees and rivers, creating an ideal living environment for birds. The special feature of Tu Na Bird Garden is the diversity of bird species, from common birds such as storks, herons, egrets to rare birds such as painted storks, black-headed ibis, and glossy ibis.
Exploring the Diverse Bird World at Tu Na Bird Garden
Coming to Tu Na Bird Garden, you will witness thousands of birds flying in the sky, perched on tree branches. The bustling sound of birds singing and flapping wings creates a lively natural symphony.
Common Bird Species:
- Storks: White storks, milky storks, painted storks… are the most common birds in Tu Na Bird Garden.
- Herons: Grey herons, black herons… often forage at night and shelter in the bird garden during the day.
- Egrets: Great egrets, little egrets… are large in size and often perch on tall tree branches.
- Painted Storks, Black-headed Ibis, Glossy Ibis: These are rare bird species listed in the Vietnam Red Book, and Tu Na Bird Garden is one of the few places that still preserves these bird species.
Ideal Time to Visit Tu Na Bird Garden
The best time to visit Tu Na Bird Garden is in the early morning or late afternoon. At this time, birds return to their nests after foraging or prepare to sleep, and the number of birds concentrated in the garden is the largest. You should also avoid visiting the bird garden during the rainy season or on bad weather days, as birds often shelter and are less active.
Experiences and Activities at Tu Na Bird Garden
Bird Watching: You can stroll around the bird garden, find a suitable spot, and observe the birds with binoculars or cameras. Be careful to keep quiet so as not to scare the birds.
Bird Photography: Tu Na Bird Garden is an ideal place to take pictures of birds. If you are a nature photography enthusiast, do not miss the opportunity to capture beautiful moments of birds here.
Learning about Bird Species: You can learn information about bird species at Tu Na Bird Garden through information boards or by asking local people. This is an opportunity to improve your knowledge of the animal world and environmental protection awareness.
Tips for Visiting Tu Na Bird Garden
Keep Quiet: Birds are very sensitive to noise, so keep quiet when visiting the bird garden so as not to scare the birds.
Do Not Feed the Birds: Do not feed the birds anything, as unsuitable food can be harmful to their health.
Walk Gently and Speak Softly: Move gently and speak softly when visiting the bird garden so as not to affect the birds’ habitat.
Bring Binoculars and Cameras: If possible, bring binoculars and cameras to observe and photograph birds more clearly.
Suggested Ca Mau Travel Itinerary Combining Mui Ca Mau and Tu Na Bird Garden
Day 1:
- Morning: Arrive in Ca Mau city, travel to Nam Can town.
- Afternoon: Visit Tu Na Bird Garden, explore the diverse bird world.
- Evening: Rest in Nam Can, enjoy local cuisine.
Day 2:
- Morning: Travel by speedboat to Mui Ca Mau.
- Afternoon: Visit famous tourist attractions in Mui Ca Mau such as GPS Coordinate Landmark 0001, Mother Statue, mangrove forest…
- Evening: Watch the sunset over the sea, enjoy fresh seafood in Mui Ca Mau.
Day 3:
- Morning: Watch the sunrise over the sea, explore Dat Mui market.
- Afternoon: Return to Ca Mau city or continue exploring other tourist attractions in Ca Mau.
Other Must-Visit Destinations in Ca Mau
In addition to Mui Ca Mau and Tu Na Bird Garden, Ca Mau has many other attractive destinations waiting for you to explore:
U Minh Ha National Park: The flooded Melaleuca forest with a diverse ecosystem, where you can experience boating, fishing, and exploring wildlife.
Hon Da Bac (Silver Stone Island): A pristine island with unique granite rocks, where you can swim, snorkel, and explore historical relics.
Khai Long Beach: The most beautiful beach in Ca Mau with fine sand and clear blue water, an ideal place for swimming and relaxing.
Thi Tuong Lagoon: The largest natural lagoon in the Mekong Delta, where you can admire beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and enjoy fresh seafood.
Various tourist attractions in Ca Mau province, Vietnam
Ca Mau Cuisine – Distinctive Flavors of the River Region
Ca Mau cuisine is imbued with the flavors of the river region with specialty dishes made from fresh seafood and local ingredients.
Must-Try Specialties:
- Ca Mau Crab: Ca Mau crab is famous for its firm meat and fatty roe, and is processed into many attractive dishes such as crab with tamarind sauce, steamed crab, crab hotpot…
- Ca Mau Tiger Shrimp: Ca Mau tiger shrimp is large in size and sweet in taste, often grilled, steamed, or processed into salads and hotpots.
- Grilled Mudskipper: A rustic but flavorful dish, mudskipper is grilled over rice straw, retaining its natural sweetness.
- Lẩu mắm U Minh (U Minh Fermented Fish Hotpot): A specialty hotpot of the U Minh Ha region with a rich, spicy flavor, served with many kinds of wild vegetables and seafood.
- Gỏi ong non (Young Bee Salad): A unique salad made from young bees, with a fatty taste and distinctive aroma.
Important Notes When Traveling to Ca Mau
- Prepare Appropriate Clothing: You should bring comfortable, cool clothes, hats, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
- Bring Personal Identification: Do not forget to bring personal identification documents such as ID card or passport to check in at hotels and other necessary documents.
- Book Rooms and Services in Advance: If traveling during peak season, you should book hotel rooms, train/bus tickets, and other services in advance to ensure availability and good prices.
- Learn About the Weather: Update weather information before going to prepare appropriate luggage and schedule.
- Respect Local Culture: Learn about the customs and habits of local people and respect the unique cultural features.
- Protect the Environment: Do not litter indiscriminately, maintain general hygiene, and protect the natural environment.
Ca Mau, the land at the end of the Fatherland, always welcomes visitors with its pristine, simple beauty and unique travel experiences. Hopefully, with these Ca Mau travel guides above, you will have a complete and memorable journey to explore Mui Ca Mau and Tu Na Bird Garden. Come and feel the beauty of this land, you will surely love and want to return to Ca Mau many more times.