Besides the colorful Sa Dec flower village, lotus-covered rivers and immense golden fields, Dong Thap has many things to be proud of. As a beautiful biodiversity conservation area, Tram Chim National Park will provide a meaningful experience for those who love to explore.

This place was formed in 1998 to represent a small wetland model on the mainland of Dong Thap Muoi. Today, it successfully conveys the unique features of the Westside, and is an irreplaceable home to many natural creatures.

Tram Chim National Park

Ranked 2000 worldwide and 4th in Vietnam, this green oasis remains important to the international ecosystem. Blessed with majestic nature, fresh air, peaceful vibes, and most importantly, sacred creatures, Tram Chim National Park deserves to be the highlight of this type of ecotourism. thai.

Location & Terrain

Tram Chim National Park stretches over 7 communes (Tan Cong Sinh, Phu Duc, Phu Tho, Phu Thanh A, Phu Thanh B, Phu Hiep) in Tam Nong district, Dong Thap province. The park is still open in a remote land, 35km from Cao Lanh city – the center of Dong Thap province. It is about 20 km north of the Mekong tributary and 170 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City.

Tram Chim National Park

This place has quite unique terrain, flat, slightly leaning to the west, interlaced canals. Thanks to the canal formation, the inundation time of Tram Chim National Park has been reduced to 6 months a year. The remaining six structures were not flooded with a lower expected water rate. The groundwater level in Tram Chim can also be man-made through the division of canal areas.

Biodiversity value

Located on an area of ​​more than 7,500 hectares, the park embraces a huge mangrove forest, nurturing an abundance of flora and fauna. Tram Chim National Park has more than 130 types of vegetation, including lotus biomes, grasslands, melaleuca forests and moldy swamps, all intertwined. Melaleuca forest has the largest space but has the highest community value for wild rice (Oryza rufipogon).

The fauna stands out with the existence of more than 230 bird tribes belonging to 49 families, accounting for a quarter of the bird species recorded in Vietnam. Some rare species that can be spotted are the great cormorant, the Bengal condor, the white-winged duck, the gray-footed pelican, the black-throated sparrow and the extraordinary red-crowned crane.

The fish communities that live here also play an important role in balancing the ecosystem and providing a food source for birds. They include some species in the Vietnam Red Book such as: clown, black carp and small scale mud carp.

Jacanidae in Tram Chim National Park

These priceless natural properties have attracted the research of many scientists and also the curiosity of the casual visitor. It is all thanks to sustainable exploitation that Tram Chim National Park has preserved biodiversity values.

Best time to visit

The floating season (from September to December) is the most ideal time to visit Tram Chim National Park. It’s the breeding time for many birds and also the park’s peak season. The whole landscape is covered with green trees, blooming flowers and flocks of birds. There are also many interesting activities that reflect the daily life of Westside farmers held at this time.

Tram Chim National Park

The dry season (from January to June) can also be suitable to travel to Tram Chim for those who study ornithology. During this period, many species of birds, especially cranes, migrated to find new places to live.

How to get there

The road from Ho Chi Minh City to Tram Chim National Park is very easy to conquer, by both public buses and private cars.

By bus

Hoang Minh and Tan Quoc Minh are two of many transport companies that provide direct service to Tram Chim from Saigon. Passenger cars depart at local bus stations with prices ranging from 100,000 – 200,000 VND / person.

You can book a car to Cao Lanh city and then continue on the Thanh Binh route to visit Tram Chim.

By car

You can follow 2 routes National Highway N2 – 62 or National Highway 01 – NR 62 to reach Tram Chim. The two meet at provincial road 844. After enjoying the view of Tram Chim Bridge, cross and leave the park 800m on the left. Each route takes about 3.5 hours to cover an average of 143 km.

Things to do

Sightseeing in a canoe

Many beautiful scenes await visitors on a boat excursion. Book a Tac Rang (canoe) or wooden boat – with or without a guide – to traverse the zigzag system of canals. This is the top favorite experience established by the park.

Melaleuca forest in Tram Chim National Park

Landscapes change costumes in an instant. One moment you are in the middle of the melaleuca forest, the next you have reached the lotus garden. You can touch the lotus petals and smell their sweet fragrance along the way. The golden shadow of the Syrian Indica ocean can surprise you even more. The sound of the engine can scare away resting birds as you follow the water, sending them flying in the sky. The whole journey will be blended in endless green, gentle breeze and incredible peace.

Be a part of Mekong life

You can try what everyday life in the wetlands is like. Through fishing, knitting nets, placing Trum (a tool for catching eels), harvesting wild rice, and hunting langurs – a specialty of the land – ancient life is like a flashback. There is also the opportunity to bathe in the clear water amidst the sea of ​​purple flowers. Bird watching

Red-crowned crane in Tram Chim National Park

During the flood season, cranes have no sights because they only hunt in dry conditions. So in the dry season, they come to Tram Chim with many other birds. Thousands of white storks, different red-crowned cranes light up the whole land. From every corner of Tram Chim National Park, you can easily find the imprints of birds.

Camp for bright light

In order to provide visitors with a more enjoyable experience, the park has expanded into motels and specific rental areas. Even when the sun goes down, the journey to discover nature will not end. In the middle of rivers and streams, visitors can be amazed by the cinematic scene. A hot red sphere cast its remaining halo as it began to sink into the horizon. The water surface reflects thousands of mysterious and brilliant colors. If luck is in your way, you’ll find silhouettes of countless birds ahead, dotting the sky with their sharp movements.

Eat and Stay

After being fully immersed in the beautiful nature, it is best to stay inside the leaf house to enjoy Tram Chim cuisine. They often serve rustic, country-style dishes such as grilled fish, fish braised with lotus, steamed snails with pepper, fish sauce hot pot, and eel cooked with lemongrass. Regarding accommodation, if you like to stay in the park, Tram Chim Homestay will definitely be very good. Clean and tidy, close to nature but at a reasonable price, this property is not inferior to any motel in the city. Just be aware to book in advance during peak season.

Rest at Tram Chim National Park – Photo: @lmingchoo

Still aiming for places with a more modern style, Cao Lanh City has a lot of good quality hotels for you to choose from. Call a taxi, you will arrive in 1 hour.

Travel tips

• Due to humid conditions, stick with mosquito and insect repellant.
• Wear green clothes if you don’t want to stand out more than the birds in your precious picture
• Bring snacks and drinks as the exploration of Tram Chim can be lengthy. Once consumed, leftovers and bags will be in the trash. Let’s protect the enviroment.
• The park has different rates for each activity and service. Tickets must be purchased early in the high season to avoid boat shortages.
• 5am ​​is said to be the perfect time to watch the sunrise – the view is worth the early effort!

Useful information

• Location: Tram Chim National Park

• Best for: All Visitors

• Free admission

• Hours: Recommended to visit during the day

• Distance to city center: 32.1km (19.9 mi)