Located about 140 km from Vinh City (along National Highway 7A, in Quang Thinh village, Tam Dinh commune, Tuong Duong district), Sang Le forest belongs to the Western Biosphere Reserve of Nghe An province, covering an area of over 70 hectares with rows of towering Sang Le trees covering the entire area.
The odd-sized tree belongs to the family of Lagerstroemia (scientific name is Lagerstroemiatomentsa Presl), with a trunk 30-40 m high, equivalent to a diameter of 40-80 cm. In this forest, many tree trunks have very large diameters, requiring two to three people to hug around. The odd-sized tree wood is often used to build boats, houses or household items such as tables, chairs, beds, cabinets...
The cassia tree is widely distributed in Tuong Duong district and many other areas of Nghe An, but has now been almost completely exploited, only remaining in Tam Dinh forest. The cassia tree grows slowly, the tree trunks in this primeval forest have existed for hundreds of years.
In 2014, the People's Committee of Nghe An province put Sang Le Tam Dinh forest on the list of forests that need to be strictly protected. Environmentalists assessed that the forest "carries intact a typical tropical rain ecosystem of the remaining Western Nghe An region, with a valuable gene source at risk of depletion". Therefore, the existence of this special forest not only creates a highlight for the tourism industry of Nghe An province, but also the awareness and spirit of protecting the forest, considering the forest as a "treasure" of the indigenous people.
Each season of the year, Sang Le forest has its own characteristics. Sometimes the whole forest is immersed in the immense green of leaves, sometimes it is dotted with the pale gray-white of tree trunks. Sometimes the foliage turns a golden yellow in the sunlight, then turns to a reddish-yellow in the winter days.
No matter the season, the forest always has its own beauty that attracts tourists. But perhaps Sang Le forest is most beautiful around April every year, when the leaves change season. Looking down from above, the whole forest of leaves appears majestic and floating.
Inside the ancient primeval forest, travelers can not only immerse themselves in the fresh and pure space of a pristine natural area, listen to the sound of the wind and the murmuring stream, but also explore a rich and diverse flora.
An interesting experience that you cannot miss when coming to Sang Le forest is meeting and interacting with the Thai ethnic people. Although the life of the ethnic people here is still difficult, they have a rich cultural and spiritual life, very emotional and hospitable.
With its wildness, vastness and tranquility, Sang Le forest will be an ideal place for you to recharge your "natural energy" after long days at home to fight the epidemic. You can even experience staying overnight in the village, learning about the activities of the people and enjoying local specialties.
