Tra Su Cajuput Forest: The Green Boat Ride
A slow boat through green water, if your month and the water level agree.
Tra Su Cajuput Forest is a gentle boat ride through a flooded forest near Chau Doc, and its green water cover depends on the season. Add it as a half-day to your Chau Doc stay if you like quiet nature and photographs. Ask your operator what the water looks like in your month before you pay.
What is Tra Su and where does it sit?
Tra Su is a cajuput forest in the Mekong Delta, close to the Cambodian border country around Chau Doc. Chau Doc is a ward in An Giang Province whose western boundary borders Cambodia1.
The forest is set outside the town, so you travel by road first, then switch to a small boat. The boat winds through narrow channels under the trees.
Who enjoys it most?
- Photographers who like green water, reflections and quiet light.
- Return visitors who have already done the delta’s main stops and want a calmer one.
- Friends and groups who enjoy slow boat rides and a relaxed morning.
It suits those who want to sit and look. It is less suited to travellers who need action or a lot of walking.
What is the boat route like?
You board at a landing, and a driver steers a small boat along narrow channels. In the right season, a floating green carpet covers parts of the water. The forest is quiet, and birds may call.
You may also climb a viewing tower, depending on the visit. Agree on the route and the length of the ride before you board, and ask if a life jacket is provided.
When is the water green?
The green cover is seasonal. It follows the water level, so it looks different through the year. Southern Vietnam’s rainy season starts in May2, and water levels change from then on.
Because we do not have a dated month-by-month guide for this forest, ask your operator what the water looks like in your travel month. If a full green cover is the reason you are going, confirm it a day or two before you travel.
How far is it from Chau Doc?
It sits outside the town, so plan a road leg each way rather than a walk. Treat it as a half-day add-on, with a break for lunch. Ask your hotel or operator for the exact transfer and the return time, so you can plan the rest of your day.
If you also want the pagodas and views, pair it with Sam Mountain on the same stay.
How do you reach it from Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur to Ho Chi Minh City is listed as served by Malaysia Airlines, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines and AirAsia3. From there, plan most of a day on the road to the Chau Doc area. If you have a short stay, compare Can Tho or Chau Doc for a Mekong overnight. Grab operates in Vietnam4 for rides in cities.
Families, seniors and Muslim travellers
Children enjoy the boat and the birds, but need life jackets and calm seating. Seniors should ask for a boarding hand and a seat with back support.
Chau Doc has a Sunni Cham community in the Mekong Delta around An Giang5. That makes meals and prayer easier to plan here than in some other delta towns. Ask your operator about the lunch stop, look for a displayed halal certificate with its issuer and bring your own snacks.
When is another place a better choice?
If the water is not green in your month, choose a calmer cultural morning at Sam Mountain. If you want canals and village life, look at Ben Tre.
Browse more in Attractions and culture, and decide how long to stay with Mekong Delta day trip or overnight.
Tell us your month and how many nights you have in Chau Doc, and we can suggest whether the forest belongs in your plan or a quieter morning does.
Common questions
What is the green boat ride at Tra Su?
You ride a small boat or paddle through a flooded cajuput forest, where water is covered in green plants in the right season. The route is slow and quiet, and trees arch overhead. It is a gentle nature stop, not an adventure, so set expectations accordingly.
When is Tra Su at its greenest?
The green cover depends on the water level and the season, so it is not the same all year. Ask your operator what the water looks like for your month before you pay. If it matters to you, confirm a day or two before travelling.
How far is Tra Su from Chau Doc?
It sits outside the town, so plan a road leg each way rather than a short walk. Treat it as a half-day add-on to your Chau Doc stay, with a break for lunch. Ask your hotel or operator for the exact transfer arrangement.
Is Tra Su suitable for children and seniors?
Yes, because the boat ride is gentle and mostly seated. The boarding steps can be wobbly, so ask for help. Bring hats, water and mosquito repellent. If anyone in the group tires easily in heat, aim for an early start.
Can Muslim travellers visit Tra Su comfortably?
Yes. Chau Doc has a Cham Muslim community, so meals and prayer needs are easier to plan here than in some other delta towns. Ask the operator about halal-friendly lunch arrangements, bring your own snacks and confirm a place for prayer.
Sources
- Chau Doc is a ward in An Giang Province whose western boundary borders Cambodia. Wikipedia
- In the South the rainy season starts in May. Wikipedia
- Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat to Kuala Lumpur is listed as served by Malaysia Airlines, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines and AirAsia. Wikipedia
- Grab operates in Vietnam; GrabTaxi first launched in Ho Chi Minh City in February 2014. Wikipedia
- Two main Cham groups practise Islam: Bani Cham in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, and Sunni Cham in the Mekong Delta around Chau Doc, An Giang. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Tell us your month and how many nights you have in Chau Doc, and we can suggest whether the forest belongs in your plan or a quieter morning does.