It’s possible to say that Dong Thap Province is the most romantic and tranquil land in the Mekong Delta as it’s famous for ravishingly beautiful lotus ponds with charming scenes. Tram Chim National Park is among the hotspots in this province, and it’s sure that a trip to Dong Thap will not be complete if the park is not included.
A visit to Tram Chim National Park gets you excited and lets you obtain a more understanding of the life in the Mekong Delta. There are plenty of activities to experience, so it’s considered as an ideal place to contemplate the splendor of the wildlife, and also get much enjoyment.
Something you need to know first about Tram Chim National Park
Tram Chim National Park is also known as a renowned eco-tourism destination in Dong Thap and home to a rich diversity of fauna and flora. The park has the area of up to 7,500ha and stretched in some communes, comprising Phu Duc, Phu Tho, Phu Thanh A, Phu Thanh B, Phu Hiep, and Tan Cong Sinh. Currently, the park is the home of over 220 species of bird, some of which are on the edge of extinction. According to some research, the bird population in the Tram Chim national park makes up about 25% of the whole Vietnam’s birds. Red-crowed cranes are the rarest birds there.
The best time to visit Tram Chim National Park
From the 2nd to 3rd lunar months is recommended as the ideal time to explore Tram Chim National Park as you can witness flocks of birds in a mass. Especially red-crowned cranes are found from February to May. For those who prefer enjoying the most luscious fresh fruits of Dong Thap Province, from August to November should be chosen as the best time.
How to get to Tram Chim National Park from Ho Chi Minh City
The park is approximately 170 kilometers from the city center of Ho Chi Minh. Drive along the Trung Luong Expressway to Tan An and Tan Thanh. When you meet the intersection of My An and Moc Hoa, just turn to Truong Xuan, and reach the Tram Chim town afterward. By that time, there are several instruction signs around, so follow them to the Tram Chim national park.
If you don’t have much experience of searching for directions, taking a bus is a better choice. There is more than one bus line from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Thap Province. Catch the bus at Mien Tay Bus Station – 395 Kinh Duong Vuong Street, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, HCMC.
Fascinating experiences at Tram Chim National Park
A boat sightseeing trip
Of the most stirring and attractive experiences when you visit the Tram Chim national park is taking a boat sightseeing trip to feel the tranquility and witness charming natural prospects. Just imagine how fantastic it is when you are rowed by wooden sampan on lotus ponds with the pleasant aroma of lotus flowers. Additionally, you will be over the moon about flocks of birds flying in the sky while leisurely moving through calm waterways. Those beautiful vistas indeed convince any visitor no matter how difficult they are.
Thrilling activities
Not only do you take a boat sightseeing trip, but you also join thrilling activities when making a visit to the Tram Chim national park. These activities are inspired by the daily life of the local people in the Mekong Delta, and some of them are harvesting crops, fishing, and draining ditches for fish. With the experiences as such, you will feel like a farmer in the Mekong Delta and understand more their life and culture. There are also other activities that will astonish you a lot, such as kayaking and taking a boat to the birds’ nesting habitat.
Savoring specialties of the Mekong Delta
What a traveler or a globetrotter desires to explore when they set foot in a land is culture, cuisine, life, and people of this land. Therefore, savoring the best specialties is an indispensable part in a trip to the Tram Chim national park, the Mekong Delta. You can find dozens of mouth-watering dishes at the park, including paddy crab hotpot, fermented fish hotpot, dried snakehead salad, and crispy fried fish with salad. These names are actually irresistible, so it’s with great regret to miss them out.
It’s also great to visit the Tram Chim national park in the time of lotuses in full bloom as there are plenty of dishes concocted from the lotus.
Admiring red-crowned cranes in the dry season
One interesting thing is that red-crowned cranes are only found in the dry season in the Tram Chim national park. The red-crowned cranes are a kind of bird species feeding on the ground, so there is no place for them to seek their food during the floating season. That’s why they will fly to a remote place for food by that time. From February to May is recommended to contemplate massive flocks of birds flying and seemingly singing in the sky.
Where to stay in Tram Chim National Park
Perhaps, one day is not enough to get a sense of the charm of The Tram Chim national park, so you’re probably searching for an accommodation nearby. Then, why don’t you try an experience at Tram Chim Homestay, right inside the park. One room of this homestay just costs about VND 150,000 – 300,000/night/person. Normally, it’s hard to get the room available during the peak season, so it’s highly recommended that you should book in advance.
Address: No.4 Tram Chim Town, Tam Nong District, Dong Thap Province
Prices for activities at Tram Chim National Park
- Being a fisherman: VND 150,000/pax
- A boat trip to Tram Chim Homestay: VND 200,000/pax for one way
- A boat trip to the birds’ nesting habitat (once a year): VND 270,000/pax
- An overnight stay at the national park: VND 150,000/pax
- Dinner: VND 100,000/pax
- Breakfast: VND 40,000/pax
- Kayaking: VND 50,000/pax
- Local guide: VND 100,000/pax
Some tips for a visit to Tram Chim National Park
- Bring mosquito or insect repellents with you
- Wear something that is close to the nature in terms of color, e.g. green.
- Have a pair of flip-flops with you in case you move through sticky and muddy paths. Cleaning a pair of flip-flops is always better doing that with a pair of trainers.
- Bring swimwear with you if you want to enjoy a swim at the park.
- Get a fishing rod and relish the experience of fishing at the park.
- Buy more fruits and snacks for your trip.
