Discover Sac Forest: Historical heritage and wild nature

Statue of Sac forest commando soldier

The bus took us away from the center of Ho Chi Minh City in the bright yellow sunshine. Royal poinciana flowers in early summer bloomed red on the streets of the city named after Uncle Ho. Following the winding road, passing through vast mangrove forests. After about an hour and a half, Sac Forest appeared before our eyes - deep green, peaceful and quiet. Few people would have guessed that this place was once one of the fiercest battlefields in the South. During the field trip, I had the honor of meeting several veterans who had served in the Sac Forest war zone.

“Here in the past, there were more snakes, mosquitoes and bombs than rice,” Nguyen Van Hien, a former soldier of the Sac Forest Special Forces, pensively recalled. “Whenever the water rose, we had to hang on trees, eat rice balls, drink alum water, live with mosquitoes, and be ready to fight back against enemy raids day and night.” The Sac Forest War Zone spanned an area of ​​over 1,000 square kilometers, with a dense system of canals and dense mangrove forests as a natural “green shield” to protect the revolutionary forces. The special forces soldiers here not only had to face enemies with modern equipment but also had to fight against harsh nature.

Explore Sac Forest

Entering the Sac Forest resistance base, walking among the vast forests of mangroves, mam, o ro, coc tron, and banyan trees. The green canals, I suddenly remembered the writer Tran Thanh Giao (deceased). He had lived, fought, and been attached to the Sac Forest for almost his entire youth. In the famous novel “A time of unfinished business” - read by Ms. Phi Dieu every night on Ho Chi Minh City Radio (1989), the writer Tran Thanh Giao vividly described the Sac Forest - especially the Hoa Ca (flower) crocodile that specialized in finding and eating dead bodies. This ferocious crocodile species, at that time, weighed a ton. Nowadays, they are almost extinct due to hunting and slaughter. Natural crocodile meat is delicious, tough like wild boar meat, quite rare!

Today, Sac Forest is not only a place bearing the mark of war but also an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Every year, thousands of people come here to experience a tour that combines exploring nature and learning about history. Visitors can start their journey by taking a boat along the winding canals, shaded by mangroves and sycamores. The cool air and the pungent scent of the forest make everyone feel like they have shaken off all the dust of the city. On that journey, visitors are introduced to the rich mangrove ecosystem with many rare species of flora and fauna such as the purple crocodile, long-tailed monkey, white stork, etc.

Monument of Sac Forest Special Forces

The Sac Forest Special Forces Relic Site is an indispensable stop. Here, models of bases, shelters, field kitchens, etc. are vividly restored, helping viewers to visualize the arduous but heroic fighting life of the special forces soldiers in the past. Many tour guides today are descendants of veterans, telling stories with pride and emotion, making every detail come alive in the minds of the listeners.

In addition, activities such as canoeing through the forest, fishing, visiting crocodile farms or visiting mangrove conservation stations also create memorable experiences. Sac Forest is not only a journey back to the source, but also an attractive ecological destination in the heart of the South. “The Sac Forest War Zone is not only a historical site but also a symbol of the silent sacrifice, patriotism and indomitable will of Vietnamese soldiers. We hope this place is not only a tourist destination, but also a space for traditional education for the younger generation,” said Mr. Tran Van Lam, an officer of the relic site management board.

Sac Forest - a heroic land in the middle of the wild nature still silently preserves the tragic stories about the bravery and indomitable spirit of our army and people. Although time has passed, the footprints of the soldiers of the past are still imprinted in every mangrove canopy, banyan branch, and canal of a time of war as if it were just yesterday...

Tourists visit and explore Sac Forest

Today, Sac Forest is not only a living testament to the glorious history, but also an ideal destination for those who love to explore nature and learn about cultural heritage. From interesting experiences in the middle of the mangrove forest to touching stories about the bravery of soldiers, Sac Forest always leaves a deep impression on visitors. This is a place that marks unforgettable memories of a time of war, while opening up opportunities for the younger generation to understand and appreciate more the value of peace today.

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/kham-pha-rung-sac-di-san-lich-su-va-thien-nhien-hoang-da-1746676434225.htm