Can Gio's Monkey Island — formally Dao Khi, inside the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve — is one of those places Saigon residents treat as a lazy weekend reset. It's close enough to leave after breakfast and be back for dinner, wild enough to feel like you've actually left the city. For travelers staying in Saigon who want a half-day or full-day trip that doesn't involve a plane or overnight bus, this is a solid option.
What it is
Dao Khi sits inside the Can Gio Mangrove Forest, a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve covering roughly 75,000 hectares southeast of downtown Saigon (사이공 / 西贡 / サイゴン). The island is home to around 1,500 long-tailed macaques — wild, semi-habituated monkeys that roam freely across the park. The mangrove ecosystem here was heavily damaged by herbicides during the war and has been replanted and rehabilitated since the late 1970s. Today it's one of the densest mangrove forests in Southeast Asia and a genuine ecological recovery story.
The "island" is really a section of the reserve accessible by a short boat crossing over a tidal creek. It functions as an eco-tourism zone managed by Can Gio district authorities, with walking paths, a crocodile pond, a small war memorial, and — obviously — monkeys everywhere.
Why travelers go
Three reasons. First, the monkeys: they're bold, curious, and entertaining to watch. Second, the mangrove forest itself is genuinely impressive — towering root systems, tidal flats, birdlife. Third, distance from Saigon. This isn't a multi-day expedition. It's a manageable day trip that gets you out of concrete and traffic into something green and tidal.
It's not a pristine wilderness experience. There are concrete paths, ticket booths, and weekend crowds. But it works well as a contrast to city sightseeing, especially if you pair it with the seafood stalls in Can Thanh town on the way back.
Best time to visit
The dry season — December through April — is the most comfortable window. Skies are clear, trails aren't muddy, and the boat crossing is calm. The monkeys are active year-round, but during heavy rains (June through September) some paths flood and the mosquitoes get aggressive. If you visit in the wet season, go early morning before afternoon downpours hit.
Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends. Saturday and Sunday mornings bring tour buses from Saigon, and the monkey areas get crowded by 10 a.m.
How to get there from Saigon
Dao Khi is about 50 km from District 1. The fastest route runs south through Nha Be district on the Can Gio ferry road (Provincial Road 34), including a short car ferry crossing at Binh Khanh. Total travel time: 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic and ferry wait.
By motorbike: The most popular option for independent travelers. The ride is flat and scenic once you're past Nha Be. The Binh Khanh ferry costs about 6,000 VND for a motorbike. Fuel round-trip runs maybe 50,000–70,000 VND.
By car or taxi: A Grab car from District 1 runs roughly 350,000–450,000 VND one way. Some drivers won't want to wait, so negotiate a round-trip fare (expect 800,000–1,000,000 VND for a full day including wait time).
By tour: Plenty of operators in Saigon run Can Gio day tours for 500,000–900,000 VND per person, usually including transport, entrance fees, lunch, and a guide. These typically depart around 7 a.m. and return by 5 p.m.
Entrance to the reserve costs 30,000 VND for adults, plus 10,000 VND for the boat shuttle to the monkey island zone.
Photo by Vo Huy on Pexels
What to do
Walk the monkey trails
The main loop path takes 30–45 minutes. Monkeys will approach you — they're looking for food. Keep bags closed and don't wave snacks around. Staff sell bananas (10,000 VND per bunch) if you want to feed them, but the monkeys are perfectly happy stealing water bottles and sunglasses instead.
Visit the crocodile pond
A fenced enclosure near the main path holds several dozen saltwater crocodiles. There's a fishing-for-crocodiles activity (you dangle meat on a pole and watch them lunge) for about 30,000 VND. It's mildly absurd but kids love it.
Explore the mangrove boardwalk
A raised wooden walkway extends into the mangrove canopy away from the monkey area. This is the quieter, more rewarding part of the visit — tangled root systems, mudskippers, the occasional kingfisher. Allow 20–30 minutes.
Rent a canoe through the tidal channels
Small paddleboats are available near the boat landing for 50,000–80,000 VND per hour. Paddling through narrow mangrove channels at low tide gives you a completely different perspective than the walking paths.
Stop at the Rung Sac war memorial
A small museum and monument commemorating the Rung Sac special zone during the war. It's modest but gives context to why these mangroves were replanted in the first place.
Where to eat nearby
Don't eat at the overpriced tourist stalls inside the reserve. Instead, head to Can Thanh town, about 10 km further south toward the coast. Seafood here is fresh and cheap — grilled razor clams, steamed blood cockles, and salt-and-pepper squid are the staples. A full seafood spread for two runs 200,000–400,000 VND at places along the main road.
For something specific, try "oc" (snails) — Can Thanh's location at the river mouth means excellent shellfish. If you're heading back through Nha Be, the roadside "com tam" (broken rice) spots along the highway are reliable and cost 35,000–50,000 VND per plate.
Where to stay
Most visitors do this as a day trip from Saigon and don't stay overnight. If you want to, Can Gio town has a handful of guesthouses in the 300,000–500,000 VND range — basic but clean. There's also Can Gio Resort near the coast at 800,000–1,500,000 VND per night. Vung Tau is only about 30 km further if you want to continue southeast and stay somewhere with more dining and nightlife options.
Photo by Rodelou Tuyor on Pexels
Practical tips locals would tell you
- Secure everything. Monkeys grab phones, hats, sunglasses, water bottles. Use a zipped bag and keep it closed. This isn't a suggestion — it's a certainty.
- Bring sunscreen and water. Shade is decent on the trails but the boat areas and open paths get hot. There are drink vendors inside, but prices are marked up.
- Wear shoes, not sandals. Trails can be muddy after rain, and monkey droppings are everywhere.
- Go early. Arrive by 8:30–9:00 a.m. to beat tour groups and midday heat. The monkeys are more active in the morning too.
- Check ferry times. The Binh Khanh ferry runs frequently (every 15–20 minutes) but can back up on weekend mornings. A new bridge is under construction that will eventually eliminate this bottleneck.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't tease the monkeys. They bite, and rabies post-exposure treatment in Saigon is a hassle you don't need. Don't bring large amounts of visible food — the macaques will mob you. Don't skip the mangrove boardwalk in favor of only seeing the monkeys; the forest itself is the real attraction. And don't plan this trip for a Sunday morning unless you enjoy queueing behind school groups.
Practical notes
Dao Khi works best as a morning trip combined with a seafood lunch in Can Thanh. Budget 150,000–250,000 VND per person for entrance, boat, and activities, plus transport from Saigon. Pair it with a stop in Vung Tau (붕따우 / 头顿 / ブンタウ) if you want to extend it into an overnight trip down the coast.
Last updated · May 27, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
