Heading south to find the scent of the forest.

We visited the U Minh forest in March, a time when the Mekong River flows into the Mekong Delta, invigorating nature, with lush greenery and an abundance of fish and shrimp in the fields.

U Minh is a general name, but administratively, this biosphere reserve is divided into two forest areas: U Minh Thuong in Kien Giang and U Minh Ha in Ca Mau . These two forest areas are separated by the Trem River.

Warmly welcomed by the U Minh Ha Forest Management Board (Ca Mau), we then traveled through the forest in a small motorboat (also known as a "tac rang"), a very useful and common type of motorboat in the riverine region. The weather was pleasantly cool, the rain had just stopped, and in the distance, a bright rainbow shone on the horizon behind the drifting gray clouds.

All around, the vegetation was a refreshing green, and the water was crystal clear, yet strangely, it had a deep black color, quite different from the water in larger rivers like the Tien or Hau rivers. This was due to a layer of peat deposited at the bottom of the canal, which had existed for thousands of years. Because the water was so clear, this peat reflected onto the surface, creating a mysterious, deep black color. The water was very clean; the forest ranger guiding the group proved this by scooping up a handful of water and drinking it naturally in the middle of the forest.

We walked through vast grasslands, the remnants of massive forest fires over the years, where burnt-out patches of forest formed grasslands hundreds of meters wide. Numerous reeds and rushes grew here, creating a unique ecosystem that provided shelter for several endemic bird species and even otters.

One of the most memorable experiences when visiting U Minh is watching the locals tending their beehives and harvesting honey. This is a profitable and permitted economic activity in U Minh, as it does not encroach upon the forest's flora and fauna. The practice of tending beehives has a history spanning hundreds of years, dating back to when migrants from other regions settled in U Minh.

Even in the short story collection "Fragrance of the Ca Mau Forest" by "the old man of Southern Vietnam" - writer Son Nam - he boldly portrayed the profession of beekeeping as a kind of "philosophy" in the culture of the South in the past. We also learned how to uproot the shoots of the water spinach plant to get the pristine white stems, which we used to make a salad with dried snakehead fish - a delicacy in Southern Vietnamese cuisine .

The small boat sped deep into the dense forest, sometimes blocking out the sunlight due to the thick canopy of trees. Birds chirped, fish splashed in the canals, and the engine was off, leaving only the gentle rhythm of oars tapping on the calm water. The guide recounted many interesting stories about the trees, birds, and the need to closely monitor the honey gatherers to prevent forest fires. The forest rangers and tour guides here all have a deep affection for the U Minh forest, cherishing nature and wholeheartedly protecting this "green gold" of the southern region.../.

Heritage Magazine