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THE REVIVAL
After liberation, Can Gio’s people
started to recover the district’s economy
and after Can Gio was merged with Ho
Chi Minh City in 1978, the city authori-
ties decided to repair the damage done
to the area. “Almost all the inhabitants
of the district, including students, work-
ers, adults, and teenagers, took part in
planting trees and recovering the for-
est,” said Doan Van Thanh, vice chair-
man of the People’s Committee of Can
Gio District.
The Sac Forest reached its biggest
milestone in 2000 when it was recog-
nised as a World Biosphere Reserve by
UNESSCO.
The major habitats found at Can
Gio are plantation mangrove, which
covers the area of about 20,000 ha,
and naturally regenerating mangrove,
of which there is about 7,000 ha.
Moreover, a total of 18 mollusks,
27 crustaceans, 45 fish species and
three amphibian species have been
recorded. The Dugong has also been
sighted among the sea grass beds, al-
though these reports have not been
officially confirmed. Furthermore, the
mudflats and sandbanks at the bio-
sphere reserve are an important habitat
for migratory birds.
Tourists are attracted by the green
of the mangroves as well as the mon-
keys. “My class once had a trip to the
monkey island in Can Gio Forest and
we were very interested in the lovely
monkeys there. Besides, the forest’s air
is really fresh, bringing us a totally dif-
ferent experience from that in the city
centre,” said Nguyen Thi Tuyet Trinh,
23, who lives in Thu Duc district.
It is an amazing experience to cruise
along the mysterious mazes of the for-
est. There is a wharf where visitors can
take a canoe trip to visit the old military
base. Then, those who are interested
in history can take in the old battle site
where statues replicate the activities of
Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers.
Can Gio beach is also a destination
for the local youth. Tran Thu Huong,
23, from Long An, said: “Although the
beach in Can Gio is not as beautiful
as other beaches in Vietnam, we still
chose it for our class’s picnic last year.
The beach is not crowded so we could
comfortably play big games together.”
Tourism is being developed in the
area, capitalising on its numerous at-
tractions: “We have the mangrove forest,
beaches, and several cultural and histori-
cal areas, including the archaeological
area of Giong Ca Vo, which has existed
for nearly 3000 years,” said Thanh.
In 2011, the Ho Chi Minh City
helped upgrade the 36 kilometer road
from Binh Khanh to Can Thanh, which
is playing an important role in develop-
ing the district’s tourism and economy.
Moreover, recently the city de-
cided to renew the Sac Forest mili-
tary base to attract more tourists. “We
hope to attract more investment in
infrastructure such as wharves,” said
Thanh, adding: “Our purpose is making
tourism the key economic field of the
district in by 2015.”
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