A Guide to Ca Mau Province - The Southernmost Point of Vietnam

Ca Mau province is most famous for being the Southernmost point of Vietnam but this 300-year-old land offers more than just a checkpoint. There’s phenomenal locals’ Vietnamese food, swamplands where birds nonchalantly live alongside humans and soul-cleansing air. Besides, this is the only place in Vietnam to see the sunrise in the East sea and sunset in the West Sea in one day.

Best Time To Visit Ca Mau Province

Ca Mau province is the southernmost point of Vietnam

The rainy season in Ca Mau lasts from May till November, so be prepared for heavy rain, especially from August till October. Check out this article for tips on when to visit the Mekong Delta.

How To Get To Ca Mau Province

By plane: There’s only one direct flight from 5.55 AM to 6.55 AM from Ho Chi Minh City, operated by Vietnam Airlines. One ticket costs US$ 77 on average.

By bus: Most buses depart at the Mien Tay Bus station (395, Kinh Duong Vuong Street, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, HCMC) so you can directly buy your ticket there. The bus fare ranges from VND 150,000 to VND 200,000. Look for reliable names like Phuong Trang, Phuong Thao, or Kumho. However, if 7 hours on a bus is too much for your back, opt for a sleeper bus such as Phuong Trang.

Look bus tickets to Ca Mau below:

By motorbike: For adventurers, why not try riding your own motorbikes to Ca Mau? The trip takes around 8 hours but thankfully the routes are easy. You can go along the 1A highway (QL1A) through 7 provinces of the Mekong Delta until you reach Ca Mau. Find out all you need to know about renting a motorbike here.

What To Do In Ca Mau Province

Ca Mau Cape

Ca Mau Cape is the southernmost point of Vietnam, where the GPS 0001 laid

Address: Mui Hamlet, Dat Mui Commune, Ngoc Hien Town.

Of all the furthermost points of Vietnam, Ca Mau Cape is the easiest to reach as it requires no physical strength. You’ll be required to travel for 60 km from Ca Mau City to Nam Can, but as a reward, you’ll get to see the vast mangrove forest, both the East Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, and visit one of the “forest villages” - where villagers who supported the Vietnam revolution lived.

Related article: Furthermost Points in Vietnam

Hon Da Bac - Hon Khoai Islands

Hon Da Bac has Ho Chi Minh Temple and Ong Nam Hai mausoleum

Hon Khoai is named after its shape, which looks like a giant potato

Ca Mau’s water is home to many islands, the most stunning of which are Hon Da Bac and Hon Khoai. Hon Da Bac boasts a wild beauty with a display of granite rocks in odd shape like fairy well, the fairy feet or the fairy hand… Hon Khoai is the wonderland of forest animals such as python and wild boar.

U Minh Ha National Forest

U Minh Ha national forest is one of UNESCO’s biosphere reserves of the world

Address: Vo Doi Hamlet, Tran Van Thoi Town.

U Minh Ha national forest is a diverse ecosystem area with approximately 250 species of plants like mangrove melaleuca, reed, vines, and pimply lasia (watergrass)... as well as a myriad of animals like python, deer, or freshwater fishes… The most beloved activity here is sightseeing by boats. Tourists will sit on the “vo lai” (a type of local boat) to explore the fauna inside deep forests while listening to local myths like Bac Ba Phi.

Ngoc Hien Bird Sanctuary

Ngoc Hien is among the largest natural bird sanctuaries in Vietnam (130 ha)

Address: Vien An Dong Commune, Ngoc Hien Town.

Few human hands have laid upon this land; therefore Ngoc Hien bird sanctuary still keeps its wilderness. This place is perfect for bird lovers because they can witness firsthand various types of birds in their habitat. It’s also an ideal stop for families with kids since you can have a picnic in the beautiful scenery of Bay Hap river while letting your children have fun discovering the woods.

Tan Hung Temple

Tan Hung Temple was built in 1907

Address: Tan Hung Hamlet, Ly Van Lam Commune, Ca Mau City.

Tan Hung Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Than Hoang Bon Canh (Bon Canh patron). These patrons are the local “gods” - patronized heroes or deities - that protect their specific villages from harm. This kind of worship is unique to Southern Vietnam towns, meaning you will get to see the distinctive architecture of these patrons’ temples, and learn more about the local culture.

Food In Ca Mau Province

Fiddle Crab

Fiddler Crab is a small type of crab that’s loved for its firm meat and juicy red crab roe. As fiddler crab lives in abundance in Ca Mau, it has become an inseparable part of the daily meal. Some popular ways to cook this delicacy include: grilling, fermenting, mixing with salad (commonly shredded papaya), and roasted with tamarind.

Fiddler crab is said to be best in the Southwestern of Vietnam

Silkworm Cake (with Chicken Curry)

Don’t let the name fool you! This dish has nothing to do with the jiggly silkworm. It’s named after the shape of the long, chewy rice vermicelli. Then the silkworm cake is eaten with chicken curry or Vietnamese meatballs. A bow of this hearty, warm dish will power you through an enervating exploration of the U Minh Ha National Forest.

Silkworm cake is served with fresh greens (mung bean, Thai basil…) on the side

Fried Voles with Lemongrass and Chilli – Chuot Dong Chien Xa Ot

Vole is quite a specialty of Southern Vietnam. The voles here have a clean diet of grasses and rice, so they have a pleasant smell and flavorful, toothsome meat. To make this dish, the vole will be marinated in lemongrass, chili and fish sauce, then fried until reaching a crunchy, yet juicy and soft inside.

There are other delicious dishes like boiled vole with lime leaf, fried vole with salt… but the recipe mentioned above is rumored to be the tastiest

Mudskippers Roasted with Salt and Pepper – Ca Thoi Loi Nuong Muoi Ot

This fish is characteristic of the muddy mangrove areas in Ca Mau, hence the name. Not only can it run on dry land and climb trees, but it also oozes with umami when it’s roasted with salt and pepper. The dish is usually eaten with rice vermicelli or rice paper, and a mouthwatering tamarind sauce.

Mudskipper may look bizarre, but its flavor keeps it in the local’s list of favorites

U Minh Hotpot with Fermented Fish – Lau Mam U Minh

This hotpot is famed for its addicting taste. The ingredients include fermented snakeskin gourami, shrimp, squid, pork, eggplant, okra, and so on. You will get an abundance of fresh herbs like morning glory, shredded banana flowers, and the likes.

Once you’re used to the smell of fermented fish, you just can’t get enough of this hotpot

Where To Stay In Ca Mau Province

Muong Thanh Hotel in Ca Mau province

Muong Thanh Hotel

Address: Lot C03A, Ca Mau Administrative and Political Center Zone, Ca Mau City.
Check price and availability

Quoc Te Hotel

Address: 179, Phan Ngoc Hien, Ward 6, Ca Mau City.
Check price and availability

Look for more hotel options below:

Cautions While Travelling In Ca Mau Province

• Bring small change and use Vietnamese currency. You may not find ATMs while you’re in rural areas.
• Ca Mau is famous for the water system, so if you’re traveling with a young child, please look after carefully.
• Remember to bring your medications and insect repellent.
• Don’t wear “high-maintenance” clothing as you’ll visit many places that require being active or exploring in wild nature.
• For the best experience in Ca Mau, we suggest that you find a trusted tour guide so he can help you avoid dangerous scams and unwanted mishaps. See the articles below for more information.

What to expect in the Mekong Delta tour
Mekong Delta tour

or Contact us to plan your trip!

Summary On Ca Mau Province

With its distinctive ecosystem and fascinating Southwestern culture, there’s no doubt that Ca Mau deserves its place in the most beautiful places in Vietnam. If you haven’t visited this province yet, now’s the time!

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