Mua Xuan Nature Reserve tour: Boat cruise & forest walk

Waterways thick with water hyacinth, a tower overlooking thousands of birds, forest floor underfoot.

A guided tour from Can Tho to Mua Xuan Nature Reserve combines a boat cruise through wetland canals, a climb to an observation tower for birdwatching, and a 30-minute forest walk, with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup from central Can Tho hotels, and drinks provided. The reserve sits an hour's drive from the city and the full outing runs about five hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve

• Pick up from hotel or meeting point
• Drive one hour to Lung Ngoc Hoang Reserve
• Cruise through canals with water hyacinth
• Observe flora, fauna, and wild honey bee hives
• Climb observatory tower for bird watching

The experience

Your guide picks you up at one of several Can Tho hotels (Sheraton, Victoria Resort, Wink Hotel, Charmant Suites, or others in the city center), and drives an hour to reach Mua Xuan Nature Reserve. The wetland opens with a boat cruise along canals where water hyacinth and water lettuce cover the surface, creating narrow passages through flooded forest. This is where the reserve's wildlife concentrates: herons, kingfishers, coucals, and swamphens move through the trees and across the water, and you'll spot wild honey bee hives in their natural state while the guide explains their role in local agriculture.

After the cruise, you climb to the observation tower for a wider view of the reserve and the birds that fill the canals below. The 30-minute forest walk follows, moving through the ecosystem on foot and letting you see the plants and smaller movements the boat misses. The pace is unhurried (the reserve is built for watching, not rushing), and the walk refreshes without demanding fitness or endurance.

The tour ends with a visit to Bamboo Basket Village, where artisans turn bamboo and rattan into finished pieces by hand. You'll see the craft itself rather than a shop display. An air-conditioned vehicle carries you the whole way, and drinks are included throughout the day.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup from central Can Tho.
• entrance tickets to Mua Xuan Nature Reserve.
• drinks throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 14:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 10 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mekong Realism

Is this one for you?Five hours is enough to reach the reserve, cruise the wetlands, climb the tower, walk the forest, and visit the bamboo village without cutting any of it short. The timing holds the whole day together so you're not choosing between the boat and the walk.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (1 to 10 years).

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.

What birds will I actually see at Mua Xuan Nature Reserve?

Mua Xuan is home to herons, kingfishers, coucals, and swamphens, which you'll spot from the boat and from the observation tower overlooking the canals. The reserve's wetland habitat draws thousands of birds, especially during the seasons when water levels support the flooded forests.

How long does the whole tour take from Can Tho?

The tour runs about five hours total, including the one-hour drive each way from Can Tho, the boat cruise, the tower climb, the 30-minute forest walk, and the stop at Bamboo Basket Village.

Which Can Tho hotels offer free pickup?

Free pickup is available from Sheraton Can Tho, Victoria Resort, Wink Hotel, Charmant Suites Can Tho, Mekong Legacy Resort office, Con Khuong Resort, Vam Xang Rustic, Mekong Silt Ecolodge, TTC Hotel, Lion Hotel, Iris Hotel, and Can Tho Ecolodge. If your hotel isn't listed, ask about pickup options when you book.

What is there to do at Bamboo Basket Village?

Bamboo Basket Village is a working craft center where artisans shape bamboo and rattan into finished pieces by hand. You'll see the traditional craft in progress rather than a retail display.

Is the forest walk difficult?

The 30-minute forest walk is suitable for all fitness levels and moves at a relaxed pace through the reserve's ecosystem. There are no steep climbs or technical terrain, though you will be walking on a forest floor.