Monkey Island: Explore mangrove forests with unique experiences

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The pristine beauty of Monkey Island Vietnam (Source: Collected)

Having an immense mangrove forest with hundreds of wild monkeys, Monkey Island has won the hearts of numerous domestic and international visitors and become one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most popular natural attractions. For those seeking more than sightseeing, this biodiverse island will bring the ultimate journey.

1. About Vietnam Monkey Island Ho Chi Minh City

1.1. Location and weather

• Location

Being a part of Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, Monkey Island (also known as Can Gio Island) is situated in Long Hoa Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This island of beautiful massive mangrove forests is about 60 kilometers away from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. UNESCO designated Monkey Island as a global biosphere reserve in 2000, which has promoted tourism in the island for the last two decades.

• Weather

Monkey Island weather is not much different from that in Ho Chi Minh City. However, visitors will feel more comfortable here, as the island is surrounded by rivers and covered by forests. Monkey Island has two seasons which are the dry season (from April to November) and rainy season (from December to March), with temperature averaging from 26 to 32 degrees Celsius.

1.2. Opening hours and ticket fee

• Opening hours: 7.00 am – 5.00 pm daily
• Ticket fee: 35.000 VND/ person

Monkey Island – one of the largest Vietnam monkey islands (Source: Collected)

2. What to do on your day trip to Monkey Island Can Gio?

Located in a large mangrove biosphere reserve, Monkey Island is currently a favorite destination of many tourists, especially young people who love to travel and explore. Many exciting activities are waiting for you to experience at Monkey Island.

2.1. Admire the beauty of the mangrove forests

One of the most fascinating activities that visitors should not miss out on in Monkey Island is exploring nature and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. The mangrove forests here are home to more than a thousand types of flora and fauna, especially mangroves. 

The tranquil beauty of the mangrove forests on Monkey Island (Source: Collected)

2.2. Explore the haven of wild monkeys

Here, another must-try activity is wandering around to observe more than 2,000 wild monkeys. If you want to get closer to the monkeys here, this island offers an opportunity for you to feed and take pictures with them. However, remember to keep an eye on your personal belongings, as it will be extremely hard to get them back from the mischievous monkeys here.

2.3. Experience crocodile fishing

One of the most thrilling experiences on Monkey Island is crocodile fishing. Raised in a natural environment, the crocodiles here are quite aggressive, so visitors should follow the safety instructions when they take part in this gripping activity.

Crocodile fishing is a not-to-be-missed activity when you come to Monkey Island (Source: Collected)

2.4. Visit Rung Sac Military Base

Coming to Monkey Island, you also have a chance to visit Rung Sac Military Base, which used to be the military headquarters of the Vietnamese from 1966 to 1975. In order to preserve the memorable history of the nation, a memorial statue was built here. Next to it, there are some cottages that were used as guerilla military headquarters. Coming here, visitors will gain a greater insight into the daily life of Vietnamese soldiers in the past wars.

3. Other destinations near Monkey Island to include in your itinerary

• Can Gio Beach

Can Gio Beach, the only beach of Ho Chi Minh City, attracts numerous locals coming for their weekend getaway. If you want to escape from the bustling city life and organize a BBQ party near a sandy and breezy beach with your beloved, Can Gio is an ideal place for you. Due to its particular geographical conditions, the water at Can Gio Beach has a brown opaque color instead of blue like other beaches.

Can Gio Beach – an ideal place to spend your weekend (Source: Collected)

• Ca Ong Mausoleum

Ca Ong Mausoleum was built in the 18th century and has been maintained by the local people and authorities until now. It is one of the most sacred spiritual places in Ho Chi Minh City. Here, there is a Ca Ong skeleton with a length of about 12 meters. The mausoleum is a popular destination for fishermen to pray for peace and good weather before they go fishing.

People praying at Ca Ong Mausoleum (Source: Collected)

• Hang Duong Seafood Market

Hang Duong Market is a sizable market offering a wide variety of fresh seafood, such as fish, clam, squid, crab, etc., at reasonable prices. If you are planning for a self-sufficient trip to Can Gio Beach, it is suggested that you visit this seafood market to purchase some freshly caught fish before heading to the beach, where you can enjoy a wonderful BBQ party while taking in the fresh air and cool breezes from the sea.

4. How to get to Monkey Island Can Gio in Ho Chi Minh City?

As Monkey Island is not far from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, it can be easily reached from any part of the city. The two most popular means of transportation that tourists often choose to get here are bus and motorbike.

• By bus

If you intend to go by bus, catch buses number 75 at Park 23/9, which makes a stop near Monkey Island. It often takes over an hour to go from the park to Monkey Island by bus. The ticket fee is 20,000 VND. 

• By motorbike

Traveling by motorbike is preferred by young people, as it allows them to enjoy the picturesque scenery along the way. To get to Monkey Island, follow Tan Thuan Bridge before turning left to Nguyen Van Linh Street. Then, get to Huynh Tan Phat Street and go along until you reach Binh Khanh ferry port. Monkey Island is only a few minutes away from here.

Young people prefer riding from the city center to Monkey Island (Source: Collected)

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Monkey Island is a paradise for travel enthusiasts who want to explore the amazing nature thanks to its tranquil atmosphere and diverse ecosystem. Hopefully, this article will help you better make plans for a fantastic vacation to Monkey Island.

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