Can Gio Monkey Island in Ho Chi Minh City: Tickets, Things to Do & Travel Guide

Can Gio Monkey Island in Ho Chi Minh City offers a refreshing escape from the city’s buzzing motorbike chaos. Just a short distance from the center, Can Gio welcomes you with lush mangrove forests, winding waterways, and a fascinating history. Here, you can meet playful long-tailed macaques, drift through tranquil channels, and explore remnants of a wartime guerrilla base. As you venture deeper into this unique sanctuary, GTrip is here to guide you with the most comprehensive resource on Monkey Island. We provide everything from transportation and ticket details to top activities and essential safety tips. This is your go-to guide for planning an unforgettable day trip into Vietnam’s green lung.

Overview of Can Gio Monkey Island in Ho Chi Minh City

Before we set off on our adventure, let's get acquainted with this unique destination. Here are the essential details you need to start planning your trip to Can Gio's famous Monkey Island.

Where is Can Gio Monkey Island?

Location: Can Gio Commune (formerly Long Hoa Commune, Can Gio District), Ho Chi Minh City

Can Gio Monkey Island isn't a standalone island in the traditional sense, it’s the most popular zone within the vast Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, a protected area recognized by UNESCO for its rich and diverse ecosystem. Located approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City's center, it serves as a vital "green lung" for the metropolis. Its incredible proximity makes it a perfect natural retreat for both locals and travelers seeking a quick and easy escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Monkey Island offers a nearby natural retreat from Ho Chi Minh City’s hustle, with its rich and diverse ecosystem

Ticket price and opening hours

Before planning your visit to Can Gio Monkey Island, it’s helpful to know the ticket prices and fees to prepare for your trip. Here’s a detailed breakdown for visitors:

Notes for children:

• Under 6 years old: Free
• 6-11 years old: Half adult price
• Over 11 years old: Adult price applies

Monkey Island is typically open to visitors daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, giving you a full day to explore its wonders. Be sure to arrive early so you can fully enjoy the wildlife encounters and scenic atmosphere.

Best time to visit Monkey Island in Can Gio

The best time for your Can Gio travel guide adventure largely depends on your preference. The dry season, from December to April, offers clear skies, lower humidity, and more comfortable temperatures, making it ideal for walking and exploring without the interruption of rain.

However, the rainy season, spanning from May to October, brings its own magic. The mangroves become incredibly lush and vibrant, and this period is also the prime bird-watching season, as migratory birds flock to the Vam Sat area within the reserve.

How to get to Can Gio Monkey Island in Ho Chi Minh City

Getting to Can Gio from Ho Chi Minh City is a straightforward journey and part of the adventure itself. You have several options depending on your budget and preferred travel style. The most common methods are by motorbike, private car, public bus, or a guided tour. For those driving themselves, the route involves a charming ferry crossing at Binh Khanh.

Here are the two most popular routes for self-driving by motorbike or car:

• Route option 1: From Tan Thuan Bridge (former District 7) → Nguyen Van Linh Str. → Huynh Tan Phat Str. → Binh Khanh Ferry → Can Gio → Monkey Island.
• Route option 2: From downtown Saigon → Khanh Hoi Bridge → Nguyen Tat Thanh Str. → Tan Thuan 2 → Nguyen Van Linh Str. → Huynh Tan Phat Str. → Binh Khanh Ferry.

Getting to Can Gio from Ho Chi Minh City is easy, with options like motorbike, car, bus, or guided tour, including a scenic ferry crossing at Binh Khanh Ferry

Things to do at Monkey Island in Can Gio

Once you arrive, a world of natural wonders and historical depth awaits. This is an immersive experience in a unique ecosystem. Here’s our GTrip breakdown of the top things to do in the former Can Gio District.

Observe the monkeys on the island

The star attraction, of course, is the massive population of long-tailed macaques. As you walk the main paths of the reserve, you’ll find them everywhere, scampering along the ground, perched on branches, and playfully interacting with each other. It’s estimated that over 2,000 monkeys now call this area home, a testament to the reforestation efforts after the war. While they are accustomed to humans, it’s crucial to remember they are wild animals. Watching their complex social dynamics is fascinating, but always do so from a respectful distance. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and the monkeys, follow these essential tips:

• Secure your belongings: These primates are notoriously curious and quick! Keep a firm grip on your phone, camera, wallet, and sunglasses. Wear your hat securely or put it in a bag. They are known for snatching loose items in the blink of an eye.
• Do not feed the monkeys: Feeding them disrupts their natural diet, can lead to aggressive behavior, and creates dependency on humans. Park staff provide them with proper food.
• Maintain a safe distance: Avoid trying to pet or touch them. Keep a few meters between you and the animals to prevent any unwanted close encounters.

Explore the island by speedboat or rowing boat

To truly appreciate the scale and beauty of the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, you have to get on the water. The park offers two distinct boating experiences that showcase different facets of this incredible environment. Each offers a unique perspective, and if you have the time, we highly recommend doing both to get the full picture of this stunning wetland.

• Speedboat tour: For a thrilling ride, hop on a speedboat. These powerful boats zip along the main, wide river channels, giving you a panoramic view of the vast mangrove forest. You'll feel the wind in your hair as you cut through the water, watching the dense green walls of the jungle blur past. It's an excellent way to cover a lot of ground quickly and understand the immense size of this UNESCO-recognized reserve.
• Rowing boat tour: For a more intimate and serene experience, the rowing boat tour through areas like the Bat Swamp is an absolute must. A local guide will silently paddle you through narrow, shaded creeks, where the tangled roots of the mangrove trees create a mystical, cathedral-like canopy above. In this quiet, you can hear the subtle sounds of the forest, the scuttling of crabs, the call of a distant bird, and the gentle lapping of water against the boat.

Exploring the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve by boat, offers stunning views and unique perspectives of this UNESCO-protected wetland

Try feeding the crocodiles

For a heart-pounding thrill, head to the crocodile swamp, home to a large population of Siamese crocodiles living in a semi-wild environment. Although you are completely safe behind strong fences, the adrenaline really kicks in during the crocodile feeding session, which has become a must-try activity for adventure-seekers of all ages.

You’ll step onto a protected floating platform, enclosed by a sturdy metal cage, and be handed a long rod with a piece of meat tied to the end. As you lower the bait, a crocodile suddenly lunges up, its jaws snapping shut with a loud “CRACK!”, a thrilling display of raw power you won’t forget.

Visit the former Rung Sac Guerrilla base

Beyond its natural beauty, Can Gio holds a profound historical significance. The area, known as "Rung Sac" (Sacred Forest or Can Gio Mangrove Forest), served as a crucial and clandestine guerrilla base for Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. A visit to the reconstructed base is a humbling and eye-opening experience. Hidden deep within the dense mangroves, the base has been meticulously recreated to show the harsh realities of life for the soldiers who lived and fought here. You’ll walk along pathways and see life-sized dioramas that bring this history to life.

Key features you’ll discover include:

• Hidden bunkers: See the underground shelters and command posts where strategic meetings were held.
• Daily life depictions: Realistic models showcase soldiers cooking with smokeless stoves, receiving medical care in makeshift clinics, and crafting weapons.
• Authentic artifacts: The site displays original items and replicas of the tools, weapons, and everyday objects used by the soldiers.
• A story of resilience: The exhibits powerfully convey the incredible ingenuity and resilience required to survive in such a challenging environment, facing enemy forces and snakes, crocodiles, and disease.

Can Gio’s Rung Sac offers a powerful glimpse into the resilience and daily life of Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War amid the dense mangroves

Enjoy activities at Can Gio Beach

After a morning spent exploring the dense jungle and its wild inhabitants, a trip to nearby Can Gio Beach (officially known as 30/4 Beach) is the perfect way to unwind. Don't expect the pristine white sands and turquoise waters of destinations like Phu Quoc. Can Gio Beach has a character all its own. Its most distinctive feature is its unique black sand, a result of the rich silt carried down by the rivers that feed the mangroves. This gives the coastline a dramatic, moody appearance, especially during the golden hour.

The beach has a very local, laid-back atmosphere. You won't find large resorts, but you will find families enjoying the sea breeze, vendors selling snacks, and plenty of space to relax. You can rent a beach chair, sip on a fresh coconut, and simply watch the world go by. The waves are generally calm, making it a pleasant spot for a wade in the shallows to cool off after your jungle trek. It’s the ideal place to transition from adventurer to beachcomber for the afternoon.

Savor fresh seafood along the coastline

No Can Gio travel guide would be complete without mentioning the food, and a trip here is an absolute paradise for seafood lovers. The proximity to the sea means you get to enjoy the freshest catch of the day at incredibly reasonable prices. The main hub for this culinary experience is along Can Gio Beach and at Hang Duong Market. Small, family-run restaurants line the beachfront, where you can pick your live seafood from tanks and have it cooked to order.

The preparation is simple but delicious, letting the natural sweetness of the seafood shine. For an authentic local experience, head to a seaside restaurant and order a feast. Be sure to try some of these local favorites:

• Grilled oysters with scallion oil and peanuts (Hau nuong mo hanh): Plump, juicy oysters grilled over charcoal and topped with fragrant scallion oil and crunchy peanuts.
• Steamed clams with lemongrass (Ngheu hap sa): A classic Vietnamese dish where clams are steamed in a fragrant broth of lemongrass and chili.
• Salt and chili grilled crab (Cua rang muoi ot): A local specialty, this dish features fresh crab stir-fried with a fiery and savory salt and chili mix.
• Grilled squid (Muc nuong): Tender squid marinated in spices and grilled to perfection.

Can Gio is a seafood paradise, with beachfront restaurants and markets offering fresh, affordable catches cooked to order

Nearby attractions to the Monkey Island in Ho Chi Minh City

While Monkey Island is the main draw, Can Gio has several other fascinating spots worth visiting. Adding them to your itinerary can turn a simple day trip into a more complete exploration of the region.

• Hang Duong Market: This bustling seafood market is an assault on the senses in the best way possible. It's the central point where local fishermen bring in their daily catch. You can wander through aisles piled high with live crabs, prawns, fish, snails, and shellfish of every shape and size. You can buy seafood directly from the vendors and have it cooked on the spot by nearby food stalls for a small fee. It’s the freshest seafood meal you could ever ask for.
• Ong Thuy Tuong Mausoleum (Whale Temple): A place of great cultural and spiritual importance for the local fishing community. This temple is dedicated to the whale, which fishermen revere as "Ca Ong" (Mr Whale), a sacred creature believed to protect them at sea. Inside, you can see a massive whale skeleton, over 12 meters long, which is the centerpiece of worship. It’s a unique insight into the coastal traditions and beliefs of Southern Vietnam.
• Vam Sat Ecological Tourist Area: Located deeper within the biosphere reserve, Vam Sat is a must-visit for serious nature lovers and bird watchers. It offers a quieter, more focused ecological experience. Here, you can climb a 26-meter-high observation tower for breathtaking 360-degree views of the mangrove forest. The area is also famous for its bat lagoon (best viewed at sunset) and a large bird sanctuary that teems with thousands of storks and other water birds, especially during the nesting season from May to October.

Beyond Monkey Island, Can Gio offers Hang Duong Market’s fresh seafood, the cultural Whale Temple, and the Vam Sat Ecological Area for nature lovers and bird watchers

Practical tips for visitors when visiting Monkey Island

To make sure your trip to Can Gio Monkey Island is smooth, safe, and fun, keep these practical tips in mind. A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a fantastic day out in nature.

• Wear comfortable clothing and footwear: You’ll be doing a fair bit of walking. Light, breathable clothes and sturdy walking shoes or sneakers are recommended.
• Bring insect repellent: As with any jungle or mangrove environment, mosquitoes and other insects are present. A good repellent is your best friend.
• Pack sun protection: The Vietnamese sun can be intense. Bring sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself, especially when on the water or at the beach.
• Carry cash: While the main entrance accepts cards, many of the smaller food stalls, drink vendors, and activity providers (like rowing boats or seafood restaurants) operate on a cash-only basis.
• Stay hydrated: It gets hot and humid, so be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can buy drinks on-site, but it’s always wise to bring your own bottle.
• Be vigilant with the monkeys: As mentioned, they are master thieves! Keep your bags zipped, avoid wearing loose jewelry, and hold onto your phone and camera tightly.
• Pro tip: For a hassle-free experience with an expert guide and convenient transportation, consider booking a tour. GTrip offers a fantastic Monkey Island Day Tour that covers all the highlights.

Essential tips for visitors to make the most of their Monkey Island experience

A visit to Can Gio Monkey Island in Ho Chi Minh City is a journey into a different side of Southern Vietnam. It’s a place where the wild energy of nature meets the quiet echoes of history, offering a powerful contrast to the urban rhythm of Saigon. In one day, you can meet playful monkeys, face crocodiles, explore a hidden jungle base, and enjoy incredibly fresh seafood. It’s a reminder of the incredible biodiversity that exists just a stone's throw from one of Asia’s busiest cities. This GTrip - Vietnam Travel Agency comprehensive guide has given you all the tools and knowledge you need. Now, all that’s left is for you to pack your bag, charge your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the green heart of Can Gio.