Birdwatching tour in Vam Sat The period between late April and October is ideal to watch birds coming to make their nests at Vam Sat Tourist Site in HCMC’s outlying coastal district Can Gio.   A boat takes travelers around the Vam Sat Tourist Site - Photo: Courtesy of Saigontourist Can Gio, more than 50km from central HCMC, has a natural bird sanctuary which is home to over 200,000 birds of 26 different species. In addition to birding, first-time visitors can also get hands-on knowledge of Can Gio mangrove forest and join some fun activities like crocodile fishing and boating. Joining the tour of Can Gio recognized as the World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000, tourists will be picked up in the downtown area. Upon their arrival at Vam Sat Tourist Site, they will take a boat ride to admire the typical flora in the forest and see daily activities of local fishermen. The boats can carry four, ten or 25 guests at a time at an average speed of 20 km/h. After a 15-minute speedboat trip or a 45 minute normal-boat trip, guests will see a bat reserve where they board a smaller boat cruising on some narrow canals to take a look at bats hanging on the trees. A crab pond is also available for those interested in a crab fishing game and learning how to identify the best crab. The boat will then take tourists to the center of Vam Sat where they can climb up the 26 meter-high Tang Bong Tower and try crossing a hanging bridge. Lunch is served at Vam Sat Restaurant where people can watch monkeys doing tricks or take a snap on a hammock. Then tourists will come to a crocodile farm to learn about the egg-hatching process and see baby crocodiles or they can try a thrilling game called “Crocodile fishing on a boat.” Watching Can Gio’s monkeys with long tails is also part of the program. The package tour is priced at VND815,000 per guest, inclusive of transportation, admission to the tourist site, boat ride, lunch, tourist insurance, mineral water and hat. For more information, contact Dam Sen Travel at 3 Hoa Binh Street in HCMC’s District 11, Tel: 08 3858 2079–0938.411.471, Email: tanxuong2000@yahoo.com.  SGT