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| (Photo: VNE) |
The Sac Forest Tourism Area, in Long Hoa commune, Can Gio district, lies in a mangrove forest area of over 70 hectares, 50 km from the city center. This place became a magnetic attraction as it’s home to about 1,500 monkeys. The sheer number of monkeys earns it the name “Monkey island”.
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| (Photo: VNE) |
According to the complex’s management board, the entire Can Gio mangrove forest was bare due to the destruction of dioxin, also known as Agent Orange dropped by American soldiers during the Vietnam War.
With the efforts to reforest the ion of dioxin. After efforts to reforest indigenous ecosystems, by the early 1990s, monkeys began to flock to the forest and the number grew larger until today.
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| (Photo: VNE) |
Monkeys are scattered throughout the resort, with the ticket gate area boasts the largest herd. The mischievous monkeys often beg for food from tourists as they’re gathering to buy ticket.
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| (Photo: VNE) |
The monkeys can eat any food, drink that visitors give them. Some even look for food in the trash for leftovers.
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| (Photo: VNE) |
However, according to tourism management, visitors should keep an eye on their cameras, phones, hats, glasses, and other belongings, as they could be snatched away by the playful monkeys.
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| (Photo: VNE) |
“They’re a bit playful though, they’re lovely. I am most interested in the image of the monkeys caring for their offsprings and carrying on their backs”, Tuan, a visitor told VNE.
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| (Photo: VNE) |
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| (Photo: VNE) |
Along with playing with the monkeys, visitors can walk through the forest, the two sides are lined with trees, learn about the ecology of the mangrove water.
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| (Photo: VNE) |
Canoe service which takes to the mangrove forest costs around VND 600,000 (US $26) per trip.
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| (Photo: VNE) |
Bird-eye view of the Sac Forest.
