Cần Giờ Eco-Tour: Monkeys, Crocodiles & War History

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/15

Duration7h–8h

GroupUp to 25

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Feed macaques on Monkey Island, then drift through mangrove channels where crocodiles surface.

This full-day eco-tour from Ho Chi Minh City takes you by van and boat into Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve to interact with over 1,000 long-tailed monkeys at Monkey Island, observe crocodiles at a farm, navigate the mangrove ecosystem by boat, and explore a former Vietnam War base. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, lunch at a local restaurant, and an English-speaking guide are included; the tour runs 7 to 8 hours and suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with cardiovascular concerns.

7h–8h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Can Gio Eco-Tour

Pick-up from Ho Chi Minh City
Visit Monkey Island and interact with monkeys
Boat trip through Can Gio mangroves
Visit Crocodile Farm
Enjoy seafood lunch at local restaurant
Return to Ho Chi Minh City

The Experience

An air-conditioned van picks you up from your hotel in District 1 between 7:00 and 7:45 AM and carries you south toward Cần Giờ. The drive takes you out of the city and into the Mekong Delta region, where the landscape shifts from urban sprawl to waterways and mangrove forest. Once you arrive, you board a boat to Monkey Island (Đảo Khỉ), home to over 1,000 long-tailed macaques. Here you interact with the monkeys in their natural setting—they are accustomed to visitors and will eat from your hand, climb on your shoulders and investigate your belongings with the unselfconscious curiosity of wild animals who have learned humans are not a threat.

From Monkey Island, the boat carries you through the mangrove channels of Cần Giờ National Park. The mangroves are dense and labyrinthine, their root systems exposed above the waterline, and the ecosystem supports fish, crustaceans and birds adapted to the brackish water and tidal shifts. You stop at a crocodile farm where you can observe these prehistoric creatures up close in controlled conditions. The boat ride itself is seasonal and scenic—the water level and weather determine what the day looks like, but the route is designed to show you the biodiversity of the reserve without requiring you to hike or wade.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant in Cần Giờ, where fresh Vietnamese seafood is the standard offering. The meal is included, and you have the chance to walk through Cần Giờ Market beforehand if you want to bargain for produce or see how the local community sources its food. Before returning to Ho Chi Minh City, the tour includes a stop at a former Vietnam War base, where a guide explains the historical significance and the stories of the conflict. The van drops you back at your hotel in District 1 by late afternoon.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in District 1.
air-conditioned van transport for the full day.
Binh Khanh Ferry crossing.
all entrance fees to Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, Monkey Island and the crocodile farm.
fresh Vietnamese seafood lunch at a local restaurant.
cool towels and mineral water throughout the day.
experienced English-speaking guide.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vietnam Travel Group Co., LTD

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're based in District 1 and want a full day combining wildlife, mangrove forest, and historical sites in one trip—the van picks you up from your hotel and handles all entry fees, so you move between locations without backtracking to arrange tickets.