Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve

We decided to check out the Mekong Delta a little bit. In searching for tours, we found what looked like something a little bit different, maybe less touristy – the Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve. Lung Ngoc Hoang is a 28 km2 wetland located in Hau Giang Province, Vietnam.

According to legend, the name “Lung Ngoc Hoang” comes from the fact that there were once many herds of elephants that migrated and foraged in the area. The elephants’ movements caused the land to sink and collapse, creating depressions, pools, ditches, lakes, and streams.

“Lung” is a term for a low-lying, marshy area. It is said that the Jade Emperor (Ngoc Hoang) would occasionally descend to Earth and wander through this area, which is why it came to be known as Lung Ngoc Hoang. In other words, the name can be roughly translated as The Heavenly Emperor’s Marsh.

Turns out there was a little bait and switch, in that it took the driver 3.5 hours to drive each way. We met our guide, Edward James Kenway, in Can Thu, the largest town in the Mekong Delta. It has had a recent population surge since a bridge was constructed, and trucks no longer need to ferry across. By the way, Edward James Kenway is our guide’s English name.

When we arrive at the preserve, we went past several nearly empty restaurants still sporting Tet New Year’s decorations. The place is clearly off the beaten path.

We got on a long-tail boat and started our tour. As it was mid-afternoon,, we didn’t see many birds, but the place was beautiful.

Eventually, we did see a few birds, maybe Asian Openbills –

We came to a spot where we got off of the boat and were able to look at rice fields that are in the preserve, but leased to local farmers –

We had some coconut water, then walked back –

Back into the car for the 3.5 hour drive back to Ho Chi Min City. All in All a beautiful and peaceful day after some of the war stuff we’ve been doing.

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