What Vuon Nhan Bac Lieu actually is
Vuon Nhan Bac Lieu — literally "Bac Lieu Longan Garden" — is a sprawling orchard of old longan trees covering roughly 230 hectares in what was historically Bac Lieu province, now part of the greater Ca Mau administrative area in Vietnam's deep south. The garden dates back over a hundred years, planted during the French colonial period when the region's wealthy landowners turned to fruit cultivation alongside rice. Some of the original longan trees are still standing, their canopies knitted together into a dense, green ceiling that blocks out most of the Mekong Delta (메콩 델타 / 湄公河三角洲 / メコンデルタ) sun.
The orchard sits along the banks of the Bac Lieu River, about 5 km from the old Bac Lieu town center. It's not a manicured botanical garden — think more of a working agricultural landscape that happens to be beautiful, with dirt paths winding between gnarled trunks and fruit hanging overhead during harvest season. For travelers passing through the southern Mekong Delta, it's one of the more interesting stops between Can Tho and Ca Mau city.
Why travelers go
Most visitors to the Mekong Delta stick to the well-worn route through Can Tho (껀터 / 芹苴 / カントー) and its floating markets. Vuon Nhan Bac Lieu draws a different crowd — people who want to see the delta beyond the tour-bus circuit. The orchard offers a look at how southern Vietnamese communities have lived alongside fruit farming for generations. There's no entrance fee for most of the garden area, no guided tour script, no souvenir gauntlet. You walk in, you walk around, you sit under a tree and eat longan if it's in season.
The setting also connects to the cultural history of Bac Lieu's old landlord class. The nearby Bac Lieu Prince's House (Nha Cong Tu Bac Lieu), a French-era mansion, tells the story of the region's once-extravagant rice barons. The longan garden and the mansion together give you a grounded sense of this corner of the delta — wealth built on agriculture, architecture borrowed from colonial France, and a pace of life that hasn't changed as much as you'd expect.
Best time to visit
The longan harvest runs from roughly June through August. If you want to see (and eat) fruit straight off the branch, aim for July. The trees are heavy with clusters of translucent, sweet longan, and local vendors set up along the garden paths selling bags for 20,000–40,000 VND.
Outside harvest season, the garden is still worth visiting for the shade and the quiet. The dry season months of December through April mean less mud on the paths and more predictable weather. Avoid September and October if you can — the tail end of the rainy season turns the unpaved trails slippery, and the mosquitoes are aggressive.
Photo by Tuan Vy on Pexels
How to get there
The nearest major hub is Can Tho, about 110 km northeast. From Can Tho's central bus station, buses to Bac Lieu town run frequently and cost around 80,000–120,000 VND for the 2.5- to 3-hour ride. From Bac Lieu town, you can grab a "xe om" (motorbike taxi) to the garden for roughly 20,000–30,000 VND, or rent a motorbike for the day at 120,000–150,000 VND from shops near the bus station.
If you're coming from Ca Mau city, it's about 60 km north — around 1.5 hours by bus (50,000–70,000 VND) or an easy motorbike ride along National Route 1A. The road is flat and straightforward, typical delta driving.
What to do
Walk the old-growth longan groves
The oldest section of the orchard, near the riverbank, has trees over a century old with root systems that twist above ground. It's genuinely impressive to stand under a canopy that predates both world wars. Bring water — it's humid even in the shade.
Visit the Bac Lieu Prince's House
About 3 km from the garden, this restored colonial mansion belonged to Tran Trinh Huy, one of the wealthiest men in 1920s Cochinchina. The house is a compact museum now, with period furniture and photos. Entry is 20,000 VND. It takes maybe 30 minutes but adds real context to the area.
Rent a sampan on the Bac Lieu River
Local boatmen near the garden entrance offer short river trips for 50,000–100,000 VND per person. The ride takes you past stilt houses, shrimp ponds, and smaller fruit orchards along the waterway. It's a low-key way to see delta life without the organized-tour feel of the bigger Can Tho boat trips.
Try longan wine and dried longan
Small producers around the orchard sell homemade longan wine ("ruou nhan") and dried longan fruit. The wine is sweet and mild — more of a dessert drink. A bottle runs 40,000–80,000 VND. It's a better souvenir than most things you'll find in the delta.
Catch the Bac Lieu bird sanctuary at dusk
About 6 km south of the longan garden, the Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary hosts thousands of storks and herons that return to roost at sunset. Time your visit to arrive around 4:30–5:00 PM for the best viewing. Entry is 30,000 VND.
Where to eat nearby
Bac Lieu town has solid Mekong Delta food. Look for "bun bo hue" at the small shops along Tran Phu street — the southern delta version tends to be slightly sweeter than what you'd get in Hue. For something local, seek out "[banh xeo](/posts/banh-xeo-vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム)-sizzling-pancake)" filled with shrimp and bean sprouts at the market stalls near the central roundabout. A plate runs 15,000–25,000 VND. The shrimp here comes straight from nearby farms, and you can taste the difference.
For a sit-down meal, try grilled "ca loc" (snakehead fish) wrapped in lotus leaf at any of the riverside restaurants along the Bac Lieu waterfront. Expect to pay 80,000–150,000 VND for a full fish.
Photo by Vietnam Tri Duong Photographer on Pexels
Where to stay
Bac Lieu town has a handful of hotels and guesthouses. Budget rooms start around 200,000–350,000 VND per night for a clean fan room with hot water. Mid-range hotels with air conditioning and breakfast go for 400,000–700,000 VND. There's nothing fancy here — this isn't Da Lat or Hoi An — but the rooms are functional and the staff are used to the occasional foreign traveler.
If you'd rather base yourself in Ca Mau city, there's a wider selection of hotels, including a few newer places in the 800,000–1,200,000 VND range.
Practical tips locals would tell you
- Bring a hat and sunscreen even though the garden is shaded. The walk between sections is exposed.
- Vietnamese coffee from the roadside stalls near the garden entrance costs 10,000–15,000 VND and is strong enough to restart your heart. Don't skip it.
- If you're visiting during longan season, go early in the morning (before 9 AM) when the fruit vendors have the freshest picks.
- Carry cash. There are no ATMs inside the garden area, and the nearest bank is back in Bac Lieu town center.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't try to do Vuon Nhan Bac Lieu as a rushed day trip from Saigon — it's 300 km each way. Build it into a 2–3 day Mekong Delta loop that includes Can Tho and Ca Mau. Don't expect a polished tourist attraction with signage in English; this is a working orchard with minimal infrastructure, and that's the point. And don't visit only the garden — the combination of the longan groves, the Prince's House, and the bird sanctuary makes the stop worthwhile. Any one of them alone might feel thin.
Last updated · May 25, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
