About 50 km from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, Can Gio Beach in Can Gio District is a popular tourist destination thanks to its convenient travel route, low cost, fresh air, and many interesting experiences.
The best time to visit Can Gio is from November to April when the temperature is 26-32 degrees Celsius, ideal for outdoor activities. (Photo: Mai Truc)
Home to a 75,740-ha mangrove forest which was recognised by UNESCO as the first Mangrove Biosphere Reserve in Vietnam, Can Gio is often referred to as the “green lung” of Ho Chi Minh City.
From the city centre, visitors can travel to Can Gio Beach by bus, motorbike or car in just a short time.
The black sand beach might make first time visitors concern but the colour comes from the beach’s geographic location. Can Gio Beach is in a brackish water area, located between the river mouth and Tan Dien Sea in Go Cong District, Tien Giang Province and Vung Tau Sea in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province. The special geographical location makes the sand layer at the bottom of Can Gio Sea black with mud.
The best time to visit Can Gio is from November to April when the temperature is 26-32 degrees Celsius, ideal for outdoor activities.
Notably, during the March - April period, in early morning when the sun rises, the waves recede, leaving a damp but navigable plain stretching around two kilometres offshore. During this time of the day, visitors can walk along the beach and buy freshly caught fish from local fishermen.
The most interesting experience for visitors to Can Gio Beach is clam raking. Along with the salt making on the island hamlet of Thieng Lieng, clam raking provides a major source of income for local households.
Visitors can push the rakes along the shore by hand, collecting clam into a small bucket and then cook the clams with the instructions of the locals.
The wild stone roads leading to Can Gio Beach are always one of the most check-in places for young travellers to the district. The beach has many camping areas and outdoor playgrounds.
Sports lovers can take part in SUP rowing, catching snails and crabs, and fishing activities in the nearby Sac Forest.
Can Gio Beach also offers interesting culinary experience for foodies with fresh seafood can be found available at Hang Duong Market - the largest seafood paradise in Can Gio District.
The market is open all day, and crowded in the morning when the seafood catches arrive by boat.
Visitors can easily find almost any kind of live and fresh seafood there at reasonable prices and can get their purchases cooked to their liking.
Small local eateries at the market also sell many seasonal specialties of the locality at affordable prices.
