Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary is a submerged forest and home to many birds, located in Ben Tre, part of the Mekong Delta. A visit to this bird sanctuary is definitely worth it if you are looking for wonderful peace, beautiful nature and many birds.
- About Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary
- Visiting Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary
- How to get there
- Best time to visit
- Other things to do in the area
About Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary
The ecotourism area of Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary is located along the Ba Lai River and was established in May 1986 as a result of more and more returning migratory birds every year. The largest part of the 40 hectare surface is covered with mangrove forest.
The dense vegetation of Vam Ho with nipa palms, date palms and mangroves attract many birds, as the trees and plants provide plenty of food and they also create a natural shelter, making it a safe place to breed.
There are 84 different bird species in 35 classes, including 500,000 storks. Other birds you can find here include gray herons, white ibis and other water birds.
Visiting Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary
The best way to explore the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary is by boat, which takes you deep into the mangrove forest. The highlight is of course bird watching during the trip, but enjoying nature and wonderful tranquility is just as rewarding. There are also a number of bamboo bridge paths through the forest that you can explore on your own.
There are also some remnants from the Vietnam War that you can view. In the same area they have places a number of water activities, such as a monkey bridge, swinging, cycling over a narrow bridge, and fishing. If you have brought swimwear, this is a wonderful to do to cool off on hot days.
- Location: Tân Mỹ, Ba Tri, Bến Tre
- Entrance fee: Free
How to get there
From Ho Chi Minh city and Can Tho
If you are somewhere in the north or central Vietnam, it is best to first travel to Can Tho or Ho Chi Minh City, both of which are well served by the bus network and domestic flights. From these two cities there are daily buses to Ben Tre.
From Ben Tre
The bird sanctuary is about 35 kilometers from Ben Tre town. However, there is a good chance (and also recommended) that your accommodation is located outside the city, in the countryside. It is therefore useful to arrange private transport. The most comfortable is a car with a driver. It is advisable to rent it directly for a full day, so that you can combine Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary with other destinations along the way. Alternatively, you can also rent a scooter or motorbike and drive there yourself. If you stay near the bird sanctuary, you can also go by bicycle.
Best time to visit
Best time of the day
The birds at Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. At sunrise you can see thousands of birds flying away to find food. At sunset, these thousands of birds return to their nests. These are the two most spectacular times of the day to see the birds.
Best time of the year
Every year from April to October is the best time of year to see the storks, because around these months they come here to breed and raise their young. That said, you can visit the park all year round and you will always see lots of birds.
Other things to do in the area
The bird sanctuary is quite remote in the Mekong Delta, but you can easily combine it with a visit to the rest of Ben Tre province. This province is less visited than the Can Tho and My Tho regions, so it still feels really local and authentic here. There are hundreds of canals and islands that you can explore by boat. It is also one of the best places for cycling in the Mekong Delta. Read all the things to do in Ben Tre here.
