In pictures: Can Gio Mangrove Forest – the Green Lung of Ho Chi Minh City

11.24.2025, 07:42 (GMT)

Can Gio Biosphere Reserve covers approximately 75,000 hectares, about 40 kilometers from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Recognized in 2000 by UNESCO as Vietnam’s first World Biosphere Reserve, it features a rich ecosystem of terrestrial plants, animals, and aquatic species, thriving in a vast delta region.

Before the war, Can Gio was a mangrove forest teeming with flora and fauna. However, it suffered severe destruction during the nation’s resistance efforts. After Can Gio was incorporated into Ho Chi Minh City, the city’s People’s Committee initiated practical measures to restore the mangrove forest. Efforts revived approximately 31,000 hectares of vegetation.

Today, Can Gio Mangrove Forest plays a crucial role in urban greening. It also helps combat climate change by addressing sea-level rise and providing coastal erosion protection. The Can Gio Biosphere Reserve is divided into three zones with specific functions: the Core Zone, the Buffer Zone, and the Transition Zone.

Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Gio Mangrove Forest offer an incredible chance to explore its remarkable biodiversity. The forest is home to 56 species of associated mangrove plants and 225 introduced species. Among the rare plant species found here are Cóc đỏ (Lumnitzera littorea) and Chùm lé (Azima sarmentosa), both of which are listed in Vietnam’s Red Book.

The wildlife in Can Gio is equally fascinating. The forest supports 89 species of insects, 282 species of fish, and 66 types of plankton. Amphibians and reptiles are abundant, with 36 species in each category, while birds and mammals are represented by 164 and 35 species, respectively.

The ecosystem is also home to nine rare animal species listed in Vietnam’s Red Book, including the smooth-coated otter, Asian small-clawed otter, fishing cat, and long-tailed macaque among mammals. Birdwatchers might spot species such as the spot-billed pelican, Oriental darter, or Nordmann’s greenshank. The forest even shelters rare reptiles like the king cobra and fish such as the archerfish.