You may have heard of Long An as a rising tourist destination with modern ecological areas, but you might not know that it also hides a natural gem – Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest. Not too far from Saigon, Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest opens up a completely different world, where you can temporarily forget the noise and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the green, peaceful space of unspoiled nature. Let’s explore this attractive destination with “Du lịch khắp thế gian” and experience the unique Melaleuca Forest tourism in Tan Lap!
Discover Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest: Journey to the “Green Lung” of Dong Thap Muoi
Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest, located in Moc Hoa district, Long An province, is about 120km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. This is not only an attractive eco-tourism destination but also plays an important role in biodiversity conservation and climate regulation for the Dong Thap Muoi area. The journey to Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest will take you through peaceful country roads, lush green rice fields, and finally, a vast, green Melaleuca forest opens up before your eyes.
To get to Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest, you can travel by motorbike or private car. From Ho Chi Minh City, follow National Highway 1A to Tan An city, then turn right onto National Highway 62 and continue straight for about 60km to Tan Lap Floating Village. From here, you will begin your journey to explore the Melaleuca forest by boat, a very interesting and unique experience of the river region.
Entrance gate to Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest tourist area with prominent lettering
Entrance gate to Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest tourist area with prominent lettering
The ideal time to visit Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest is during the dry season, from December to April of the following year. At this time, the weather is dry, with little rain, which is very favorable for sightseeing and exploration. Especially in the dry season, Melaleuca leaves fall and cover the walkways in yellow, creating a very romantic and unique scene. However, if you want to experience the characteristic floating season of the Mekong Delta, then the period from August to November is also an interesting option. In the floating season, the Melaleuca forest puts on a different beauty, with lotus and water lily flowers blooming on the water surface, and you can take a boat to weave through small canals, admiring the diverse ecosystem of the Melaleuca forest.
The Unique and Charming Beauty of Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest attracts visitors not only with its green, fresh space but also with its unspoiled, majestic beauty and unique experiences it brings. The most special highlight of the Melaleuca forest is the 5km long concrete road through the forest, which is known as the “longest and most beautiful Melaleuca forest road in Vietnam”. Walking on this road, you will feel the vastness of the Melaleuca forest, with tall Melaleuca trees reaching up to the blue sky, and rich and diverse vegetation on both sides of the road.
Green Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest landscape stretching to the horizon
Green Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest landscape stretching to the horizon
From the tourist area’s welcome gate, you will begin your journey to explore the Melaleuca forest by motorboat. It only takes about 10 minutes of floating on the water to admire the majestic beauty of the Melaleuca forest. Sitting on the boat, immerse yourself in the cool breeze, admiring the endless green Melaleuca trees, you will feel all worries and fatigue disappear.
Poetic beauty of Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest in the morning sunlight
Poetic beauty of Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest in the morning sunlight
The road through the Melaleuca forest is designed to be winding and soft, divided into many small branches, creating a green maze full of interest. Along both sides of the road, you will encounter small wooden bridges, precarious monkey bridges spanning canals, lotus ponds, water lily lakes in full bloom, and hundreds of species of birds, fish, and amphibians living. This is a great opportunity for you to explore the diverse and rich ecosystem of the Melaleuca forest.
Tourists excitedly explore the unspoiled beauty of Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Tourists excitedly explore the unspoiled beauty of Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
The unique architectural highlight at Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest is the 38m high watchtower. From the top of the watchtower, you can zoom your eyes to overlook the entire vast Melaleuca forest, admire the road through the forest winding like a green silk strip, and fully feel the majestic and vast beauty of nature. The watchtower is not only a forest fire observation point but also an ideal place for visitors to admire the scenery and take souvenir photos.
Picturesque concrete road through Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Picturesque concrete road through Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
In the dry season, when Melaleuca leaves fall, the road through the forest wears a romantic yellow color, creating a very poetic and lyrical scene. The green moss growing on the walkway further enhances the ancient and unspoiled beauty of the forest. This is an ideal time for you to take unique and impressive “virtual living” photos in the Melaleuca forest.
Cement road amidst Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest with two rows of green trees
Cement road amidst Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest with two rows of green trees
In the floating season, the Melaleuca forest has a different beauty, fresh and full of life. Pink lotus and white water lilies bloom on the water surface, adding more color to the natural picture. You can rent a boat to weave deep into the Melaleuca forest, admire rare birds, and enjoy the fresh and cool atmosphere of the river region.
Road through Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest divided into many different paths
Road through Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest divided into many different paths
Interesting Experiences and Activities at Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Traveling to Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest is not just about sightseeing, but also an opportunity for you to experience interesting and unique activities, immerse yourself in nature and explore local culture.
Boat trip to explore the Melaleuca forest: This is an activity not to be missed when coming to Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest. Sitting on a small boat, weaving through the intricate canals, admiring the endless green Melaleuca trees, you will feel the peace and tranquility of nature.
Watchtower standing tall in the green space of the Melaleuca forest
Watchtower standing tall in the green space of the Melaleuca forest
Walking the forest road: The 5km long concrete road through the forest is an ideal place for you to walk, stroll, breathe fresh air and admire the scenery. You can stop at rest stops along the road, take souvenir photos, or simply sit and relax.
Tourists traveling by boat to go deep inside Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Tourists traveling by boat to go deep inside Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Bird watching and ecosystem exploration: Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest is home to hundreds of species of birds, fish, and amphibians. If you are a nature lover and like to explore wildlife, don’t miss the opportunity to watch birds and learn about the diverse ecosystem of the Melaleuca forest.
“Virtual living” photography: With unspoiled, romantic and unique natural scenery, Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest is an ideal destination for those who love photography. You can unleash your creativity and record memorable moments here.
Young people excitedly taking souvenir photos at Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Young people excitedly taking souvenir photos at Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Enjoy local cuisine: After visiting the Melaleuca forest, don’t forget to enjoy Long An specialties at Tan Lap Floating Village. Grilled snakehead fish wrapped in lotus leaves is a famous specialty that you must try. In addition, you can also enjoy other rustic dishes such as hotpot with fermented fish sauce, braised fish in clay pot, sour soup with snakehead fish…
Poetic scenery with tall Melaleuca trees and sunlight through the foliage
Small wooden bridge over a canal in Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Small wooden bridge over a canal in Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Accommodation and Transportation When Traveling to Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
For convenience in exploring Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest and other tourist attractions in Long An, you can choose to stay in Moc Hoa town. Here, there are many hotels and guesthouses with different prices, suitable for your needs and budget. Some suggestions for places to stay near Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest:
- Moc Hoa Hotel: 72 Tran Hung Dao, Moc Hoa, Long An
- Duc Thanh Hotel: Cai Cat Hamlet, Tuyen Thanh Commune, Moc Hoa, Long An
- Thinh Vuong Hotel: 43 Hung Vuong, Moc Hoa Town, Moc Hoa, Long An
- 30/4 Moc Hoa Guesthouse: 33A Phan Chu Trinh, Quarter 1, Moc Hoa Town, Moc Hoa, Long An
- Ta Thi Tiem Guesthouse: 95 Quarter 4 Le Loi, Moc Hoa Town, Moc Hoa, Long An
- Thanh Loi Guesthouse: 88 National Highway 62, Moc Hoa Town, Moc Hoa, Long An
- Thanh Cong Guesthouse: National Highway 62, Moc Hoa Town, Moc Hoa, Long An
Dirt road covered with dry Melaleuca leaves in the dry season
Dirt road covered with dry Melaleuca leaves in the dry season
Regarding transportation, if you go from Ho Chi Minh City, motorbikes and private cars are the most popular choices. In addition, you can also take a bus to Tan An city, then take a bus or taxi to Moc Hoa. To move around the Melaleuca forest area, you mainly use motorboats or walk.
Straight concrete road through the green Melaleuca forest
Straight concrete road through the green Melaleuca forest
Suggested 1-Day Itinerary for Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest Tour
To have a complete and meaningful Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest tour, you can refer to the following suggested itinerary:
- Morning:
- 7:00 – 8:00: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Long An.
- 9:30 – 10:00: Arrive at Tan Lap Floating Village, move by boat to the Melaleuca forest.
- 10:00 – 12:00: Explore the Melaleuca forest by boat, walk the forest road, sightsee and take photos.
- Noon:
- 12:00 – 13:30: Have lunch and rest at a restaurant in Tan Lap Floating Village, enjoy local specialties.
- Afternoon:
- 13:30 – 15:30: Continue exploring the Melaleuca forest, climb the watchtower to see the panoramic view of the Melaleuca forest.
- 15:30 – 16:00: Buy souvenirs, Melaleuca forest honey at Tan Lap Floating Village (if available).
- 16:00 – 17:00: Move back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Vines wrapped around the Melaleuca tree trunk create a wild beauty
Vines wrapped around the Melaleuca tree trunk create a wild beauty
Tips and Notes When Traveling to Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
- Prepare clothes: You should choose comfortable, cool, and easy-to-move clothes. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
- Shoes: You should wear sports shoes or low sandals for easy movement in the Melaleuca forest.
- Insect repellent: There are many insects in the Melaleuca forest, especially mosquitoes. You should bring insect repellent to avoid being bitten.
- Drinking water and snacks: You should bring enough drinking water and snacks to replenish energy during the tour.
- Environmental protection awareness: Do not litter indiscriminately, maintain general hygiene, and protect the natural landscape of the Melaleuca forest.
- Refer to prices before using services: Ask for prices in advance for services such as boat rental and dining to avoid being overcharged.
Small paths branching in Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Small paths branching in Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest
Conclusion
Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest is an attractive eco-tourism destination, bringing visitors unique and memorable experiences. With its unspoiled, peaceful beauty and diverse ecosystem, Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest deserves to be the “green lung” of Dong Thap Muoi and an ideal destination for those who want to return to nature and escape the noise and bustle of city life. Plan your trip to Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest today to discover and feel the wonderful beauty of this place!
Vast landscape of Tan Lap Floating Village seen from above
Vast landscape of Tan Lap Floating Village seen from above
Guesthouse near Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest area with a quiet space
Guesthouse near Tan Lap Melaleuca Forest area with a quiet space