Can Gio Mangrove Tour: Canoe & Monkey Island from Ho Chi Minh City
Mangrove forest and a thousand monkeys in one morning from the city
This full-day tour from Ho Chi Minh City explores the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-listed wetland 40 km southeast of the city, with a professional guide. You'll cross the Soai Rap River by ferry, stop at a local seafood market, paddle a canoe through mangrove forest, and spend time on Monkey Island watching long-tailed macaques. Lunch and all entrance tickets are included, with hotel pickup in District 1.
Options for this experience
3 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Can Gio Mangrove and Monkey Island
- Drive to Can Gio
- Take Binh Khanh Ferry across Soai Rap River
- Visit seafood market
- Enjoy seafood meal and optional swim
- Visit Monkey Island and interact with monkeys
- Take ferry back to mainland
What’s included
- Professional English-speaking guide (other languages available for an additional fee).
- lunch at a local seafood restaurant with fresh fish, prawns, and Vietnamese dishes.
- all entrance tickets to the reserve and Monkey Island.
- bottled water throughout the day.
- transportation by air-conditioned car and minivan.
- ferry tickets across the Soai Rap River.
- hotel pickup and drop-off in District 1.
Times
- Every day 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:15 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30
Before you book
Operated by MayXanh Holidays
Prices and times updated yesterday
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The experience
The day starts with pickup from your hotel in District 1 and a scenic drive through Ho Chi Minh City toward the coast. Once you reach the ferry terminal, you cross the Soai Rap River on the Binh Khanh Ferry: the landscape shifts from urban streets to lush mangrove forest as you travel. Your first stop is a bustling seafood market where local fishermen sell fresh catch: fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish. It's a chance to see how the coastal community works and talk to people who live by the water.
After the market, you arrive at a beachside restaurant for lunch featuring fresh seafood and local Vietnamese dishes. The meal is included, and you have the option to swim at nearby Can Gio Beach if you want. Then comes Monkey Island, home to over 1,000 long-tailed macaques. You'll walk among them, watch their behavior, and take photos, though the monkeys are playful and curious, so keep your belongings close. The return journey crosses the river again by ferry, giving you time to watch the mangrove scenery from the water before heading back to the city.
The tour runs about 8 to 9 hours total and suits all fitness levels. Your guide speaks English and can arrange other languages for an additional fee. Bottled water is provided throughout the day, and the air-conditioned vehicle keeps you comfortable during the drive.
Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want the day tailored to your pace and interests; the standard group tour keeps costs down and pairs you with other travelers; the small group option splits the difference, with fewer people than a full group but shared pricing. All three follow the same route and include the same stops. The difference is who you travel with and how flexible the schedule can be.
Compare the 3 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Can I swim at Can Gio Beach during this tour?
Can Gio Beach has a swim option built into the lunch stop, so you can take a quick dip if you want. It's not mandatory: some travelers prefer to relax at the restaurant instead.
What are the monkeys like on Monkey Island?
Monkey Island is home to over 1,000 long-tailed macaques. They're playful and curious, so they'll come close and interact with you. Keep bags and loose items secure because the monkeys will investigate anything they can grab.
How far is Can Gio from Ho Chi Minh City?
Can Gio is located 40 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The drive takes you through the city and out toward the coast, and you'll cross the Soai Rap River by ferry to reach the reserve.
What happens at the seafood market?
The seafood market is a working fishing hub where local vendors sell fresh catch: fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish. You'll walk through, see what's available, and talk to the fishermen about their daily work and how the coastal community sustains itself.
Is hotel pickup included in this tour?
Hotel pickup is included for hotels in District 1. Your guide will collect you in the morning and return you after the tour ends.
Can Gio Mangrove Tour: Canoe & Monkey Island from Ho Chi Minh City
8h–9h · EN · ES · FR · DE · IT +3
from US$ 43 per person
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