Visiting the U Minh forest during the rainy season.

During the rainy season, the water level in the U Minh forest rises, and the vast melaleuca forest stretches out in lush green. This is also the season when countless local products flourish, creating the unique culture of the U Minh region. These abundant natural resources are found only in the U Minh forest during the rainy season.

After the harvest season, the people of U Minh welcome the rainy season in the forest by rowing boats to cast nets, set traps, and other fishing gear to catch fish, frogs, eels, turtles, and snakes. Or they leisurely carry baskets into the forest to pick water lilies, chayote shoots, water spinach, and chives to eat. In fact, these readily available natural products from the forest even help improve their family income.

Mr. Pham Duy Khanh, from Hamlet 4, Khanh Binh Tay Bac Commune, Tran Van Thoi District, owner of the Muoi Ngọt Ecotourism Site, said that the rainy season is also the season when forest products flourish, contributing to the prosperous and beautiful life of the local people. Benefiting from the forest's bounty, the forest workers of U Minh Ha are determined to preserve the age-old craft of "clearing the forest" that their ancestors established and passed down to future generations.

"Wild vegetables are abundant this season; you can easily gather a bunch of mixed greens with just a wave of your hand. Add some freshwater fish and eels caught in traps last night, and you have a truly authentic, rustic fish sauce hotpot or sour hotpot from the U Minh forest region."

Making a fortune from forest products.

Under the canopy of the pouring rain, people gather around baskets of fresh, vibrant wild vegetables and a pot of simmering hotpot, exuding the aroma of their homeland. Just the sight of it is enough to satisfy the craving. A sip of spicy rice wine, combined with the rich, salty flavor of local fish sauce, dispels the chill of the rainy season and warms the heart with the human connection of this southern land.

Understanding the charm and joy of the people of Ca Mau during the rainy season, Khanh started tourism with the dream of giving every visitor to U Minh Ha the opportunity to experience that feeling.

At Muoi Ngọt Tourist Area, visitors can experience life as an authentic U Minh Ha farmer. They can enjoy the feeling of "breaking through the mountains and forests," embodying the character of an ancient forest worker from "Southern Forest Land," or simply relieve stress amidst the vast green expanse of U Minh Ha.

Here, visitors can paddle canoes to pick wild shoots and wild fruits in the forest. Or they can roll up their trousers, grab a fishing trap, and set it at the edge of the forest, anxiously waiting for the trap to be heavy with fish after the night's rain; if they're lucky, they might even catch a turtle or a snake. Many choose a different approach, carrying a fishing rod and spending the whole day in the forest, hoping to catch a few kilograms of large snakehead fish.

Dr. T., a renowned doctor in Ho Chi Minh City, said that during the rainy season, he often "escapes" the hustle and bustle of Saigon by spending a few days fishing in U Minh Ha. He drives alone for hundreds of kilometers, bringing along a supply of dried food to spend the whole day exploring the forest. "Some days I only catch a few small snakehead fish, but other days I get dozens of kilograms of snakehead and catfish. I put them in a box to take home to eat and give a few to friends. It's tiring, but extremely fulfilling because I get to enjoy the feeling of being a true U Minh forest dweller," Dr. T. said.

The direction of sustainable tourism

Ca Mau boasts two distinct saltwater and freshwater ecosystems, represented by the Ca Mau Cape National Park and the U Minh Ha National Park, both designated as World Biosphere Reserves. Besides traditional tourism products, recently developed community-based ecotourism products offer more choices for visitors, contributing to the diversification of Ca Mau's tourism offerings. Mr. Tieu Minh Tien, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture , Sports and Tourism of Ca Mau province, stated that in recent years, Ca Mau's tourism industry has achieved significant breakthroughs, one of which is the development of ecotourism linked to nature and traditional craft villages. The unique and appealing experience of exploring the U Minh Ha forest during the rainy season is a major draw for tourists.

"Accordingly, Ca Mau province focuses on developing ecotourism, especially community-based tourism with tours that go deep into the forests and coastal alluvial plains for tourists to enjoy. Simultaneously, it organizes experiential tourism activities so that tourists can feel the difference in landscape and experience something new compared to many places in the country and around the world."