Can Gio Mangrove Kayak and Monkey Island

The Can Gio Mangrove Kayak and Monkey Island excursion is a nature-based paddling day in the Can Gio UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, around 50 km southeast of central Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The reserve is a large mangrove forest at the mouth of the Saigon and Dong Nai river systems, and the activity centres on the Vam Sat Ecological Tourist Site and the Dao Khi, or Monkey Island, area. Visitors paddle quiet mangrove channels in kayaks, walk the boardwalks, climb a bird tower and see the macaque colony on Monkey Island. The activity is graded easy: channels are sheltered, no prior kayaking experience is required, and a basic level of fitness is enough for a few hours of paddling. Age limits depend on the operator, and children usually share a double kayak with an adult. Kayaks, paddles and life jackets are normally provided by the site or tour operator, while visitors bring insect repellent, a hat, sunscreen, quick-dry clothing, water and a secure bag, because the macaques are known to grab loose items such as sunglasses, food and phones. Day tours are run by licensed operators in District 1 and by the Vam Sat site itself, and independent visitors can travel by Grab car and arrange the kayaks on arrival. Guides give a short safety briefing, paddlers stay with the group, and the site is a managed eco-tourism area with staff and boats able to assist in case of difficulty. Tides affect the channels, so timing is set by the operator. Monkeys should not be fed or provoked. The best window is November to April, the dry season, when skies are clearer and rain less likely; the wet season brings afternoon downpours and more insects, and tours can be shortened or rescheduled. Group tours typically cost about 700,000-1,400,000 VND per person with transport, while reseller listings in 2026 quote roughly 35-48 USD with entry fees included. A full day, including transport and the road or ferry crossing, usually lasts 8 to 9 hours.