As one of the southwestern provinces, Dong Thap is famous for its wild ecotourism areas. This is also the place where millions of birds and storks are growing and developing. Particularly at Gao Giong eco-tourism area, you will admire the poetic natural scenery “fish in the river, birds in the sky”.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Sa Dec Visitor Guide
1. Better to Know as a Tourist
Ticket: 10,000 VND – 20,000 VND
Spend-time: Two hours (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food: Yes, local food
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes, for coach
Blog: https://vemekong.com/gao-giong-ecotourism-dong-thap/
Address: Gao Giong commune, Cao Lanh district, Dong Thap province.
Added values: Gao Giong’s ecotourism area has always been a tourist destination for tourists from many places. The biggest attraction is the wildness of the landscape, the fresh natural air, and the strangely peaceful sounds of all species. Whether it’s dawn or dusk, whether it’s the beginning of the end of a day, it’s a time to relax, let your soul gently follow the cool water, follow the call of the birds.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Gao Giong eco-tourism? Or maybe you found it too crowded here? We’ve got some ideas! Check out our list: Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House (52 km), Xeo Quyt Forest – Xeo Quyt Relic Area (49 km), Tram Chim National Park (Birding tour) (26 km), Thap Muoi Lotus Field in Dong Thap (34 km)…
2. Travel Guide to Gao Giong Eco-tourism
Located away from the city center. About 17km from Cao Lanh, the Gao Giong eco-tourism area was established in March 2003 with an area of 36ha. This is the habitat of 15 species of water birds such as red stork, heron, … In which, the most numerous species are white storks with the number of up to tens of thousands of birds. That is why this Melaleuca forest is considered one of the largest stork gardens today in the Dong Thap Muoi region. According to recorded information, the area of Gao Giong Melaleuca forest before 1975 was just a wasteland, heavily contaminated with alum. At that time, there were a few households that opened the recesses of the area along the canals to grow rice. However, a few crops later had to be abandoned because the yield was very low. After implementing the policy of exploiting Dong Thap Muoi, Cao Lanh district levels have exploited this land. However, to protect the ecosystem, people have finally planted melaleuca. By 2003, the policy of Cao Lanh district was to develop the Gao Giong Melaleuca forest eco-tourism area with an investment of up to 700 million VND. Currently, this place has become a famous eco-tourism area of the Mekong Delta and is known by many people.
3. What to Do – See – Eat at Gao Giong Eco-tourism
Known as the largest stork garden in the Dong Thap Muoi region, visitors here will admire and discover the life of birds. Every time the water season rises, the fields in Gao Giong are filled with storks, creating an extremely beautiful scene. And in the lotus valleys, there are thousands of red scorpions feeding and emitting catchy sounds and ravishing “performances”.
And before visiting the bird garden, the tour guide will give each person a pair of binoculars and invite them to the 18m high observatory. Standing on the radio, visitors can see almost the entire bird garden and have an overview of the tourist area.
After that, you will be taken to the bird garden by motorboat. When coming to the bird park, visitors will see with their own eyes many different species of birds, bringing a new and different feeling. It’s like you are in harmony with nature.
In particular, this is also the largest freshwater fishery in the Dong Thap Muoi region with an annual catch of more than 30 tons. That is why there are many species of water birds that have come here to live and gather.
Thanks to the rich source of seafood, visitors can enjoy the traditional specialties of the Dong Thap Muoi region. Here, you can enjoy most of the popular dishes such as grilled snakehead fish, grilled mouse, braised fish sauce, sour soup of Linh fish, boiled snails dipped in ginger fish sauce, steamed snails with pepper, eel with coconut milk, other dishes. Garden vegetable salad, Mekong pancakes,… And especially the specialties made from Dong Thap lotus absolutely cannot be missed.
The enjoyment space is also an important part of creating a new and interesting feeling for tourists. Unlike culinary restaurants, you will be able to sit and have a meal cooked with lotus leaves and country-flavored dishes between the four sides of trees and water, under the sound of birds singing.
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Dong Thap city center:
Route 1:
Route 2:
Route 3:
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Dong Thap. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Dong Thap daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of Gao Giong Eco-tourism
Google Maps made a name for itself helping people travel from one place to another, avoid traffic (You probably know the route from your hotel to the gas station by heart, but what you can’t be sure about is gridlock), measure a distance, get back to the hotel on time, share the location…
6. Visit Gao Giong Eco-tourism by yourself
Solo traveller? Travelling on your own means you will get out of any difficult situations by yourself. This, in turn, leads to more satisfying travel experiences and helps you improve your problem-solving skills. These days we rarely get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be. That’s why you should consider the time you spend alone on your trip as a gift.
It is possible for solo travellers to use google maps and do it alone. But sometimes they need to update local maintained roads and bridges which close and lead you a longer road than the road from google maps. It is just about the time. It takes more time to find the correct garden to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in Dong Thap village! The locals find it hard to speak English as well. Top tip: Sticking to one canal and keeping going along it which gives you more things to see and avoids getting lost. Contact vemekong.com to hire a car, scooter with English-speaking-guide or cycling tours in Dong Thap.
7. Responsible Travel and Advice to Visit Gao Giong Eco-tourism
Don’t get us wrong. But we assure you that you totally agree with us. “Do not give candy and things to the children when you plan to visit any local villages”, the kids will leave the school and follow the sweets and later they find some things to give you or sell to you. The garden is a little forest, don’t pick and touch the flowers or fruits without the local’s smiles. We deal with traveling green and leaving green behind, not plastic. Top tip: Vemekong.com is one of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of Gao Giong Eco-tourism (4k)
If a picture says a thousand words, it stands to reason that the video says many times more.
9. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
To get the best of the best for your unique writing, featuring, photo, video and insider’s stories. We do recommend you to have a local travel expert, the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single element is solved perfectly. Vemekong (very exclusive Mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing. You can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
10. Pro Tips
You can stay in a homestay which is in the Sa Dec flower village, this will help you have the best experience in Sa Dec, Dong Thap province. There are so many flower gardeners who are watering and gardening the Sadec flower farms in the early morning with the amazing Sa Dec sunrise.
If you plan to extend your travel to Sa Dec homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Sa Dec or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Sa Dec responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Sa Dec food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Sa Dec cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Hu Tieu Sa Dec (Sa Dec noodle soup), Sadec Crab Hotpot, Nem Lai Vung (Vietnamese fermented pork roll in Lai Vung), Sa Giang shrimp chips, Lai Vung tangerine fruit…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Sa Dec in the rainy season, as Sa Dec always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Sa Dec tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Sa Dec Flower Village, Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, Tu Ton Rose Garden, Dong Thap Museum, Xeo Quyt forest – Xeo Quyt relic area, Gao Giong Ecotourism park (Cao Lanh), Lai Vung tangerine garden, Tram Chim National Park (Birding tour), Kim Hue Pagoda, Thap Muoi Lotus Field in Dong Thap, Dinh Yen Mat Making Village, Kien An Cung Pagoda, Phuong Nam Cultural Tourism Area, Phuoc Kien pagoda (lotus leaf pagoda), The Burial Place of Nguyen Sinh Sac, Sa Dec Town Park, Happy Land Hung Thy Tourist Area, date fruit garden, Sa Dec Market, Lai Vung Tangerine Garden
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Sa Dec, Dong Thap province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Thank you
