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During holidays or weekends, tourist destinations often become crowded and expensive. Wanting to find a place to enjoy fresh air during the holidays, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan (37 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City) chose Thieng Lieng Island – a peaceful, rustic area that still retains its pristine beauty.
Thiềng Liềng hamlet is located in Thạnh An commune, Cần Giờ district, approximately 70 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. This small island is surrounded by rivers and canals, and is covered in lush green forests. Benefiting from its location within the "Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve," 70% of the population earns their living through salt production, while the remainder engages in fishing. Here, visitors can not only admire the hidden beauty of this natural island hamlet but also learn more about the local salt-making industry.
Thiềng Liềng hamlet is located in Thạnh An island commune, Cần Giờ district, and is approximately 70 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City.
A land that retains its pristine beauty.
Upon arriving at Thieng Lieng Island, Thanh Tuan was particularly impressed with the scenery: “Thieng Lieng is like a world completely separate from the development of the city. I was very surprised that a place within Ho Chi Minh City still retains its pristine beauty, sparse population, preserved mangrove forests, and a quiet and clean environment.”
Because it has only recently been developed for tourism, the infrastructure and roads on the island are still very basic and rustic. For many people, they come to Thieng Lieng hamlet simply to relax, enjoy the pristine beauty, and explore activities close to nature. These peaceful moments experiencing a new life in a rural area near Saigon will help visitors forget the fatigue and hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Because it has only recently been developed for tourism, the infrastructure and roads on the island are still very basic and rustic.
Because the area is not too large, visitors can cycle around the hamlet to admire the scenery and the daily life of the locals.
According to Mr. Thanh Tuan, the highlight of Thieng Lieng is the vast salt fields, surrounded by mangrove forests and lush green nipa palm groves. Because the area is not too large, tourists can cycle around the village to admire the scenery and the daily life of the locals.
In Thiềng Liềng, there are currently about 220 households, and 70% of them make a living from salt production. Therefore, admiring the vast, pristine white salt fields and learning about the beauty of this traditional craft village is an experience not to be missed when visiting. However, salt production only lasts during the dry season, so tourists need to choose the right time to visit to fully enjoy taking photos and checking in with this "specialty." It can be said that Thiềng Liềng island hamlet (Cần Giờ) is one of the rare areas in Saigon that still preserves the traditional salt-making craft.
The highlight of Thieng Lieng is its vast salt fields, surrounded by mangrove forests and lush green nipa palm groves.
In Thiềng Liềng, there are currently about 220 households, and 70% of them make a living from salt production.
Visitors can also combine their trip with a visit to Giồng Chùa Mountain, a high rocky ridge nestled amidst mangrove forests. Giồng Chùa, or Chùa Mountain, is considered the only and highest mountain in Ho Chi Minh City. Legend says there are deep indentations in the rock on the mountain, left by the "footprints" of some king or queen who once passed through. Therefore, the name "Chùa Mountain" (Chua Mountain) may be a phonetic variation of "Chúa Mountain" (Lord Mountain).
In addition, Thiềng Liềng offers many unique and exciting experiences. Visitors can try paddleboarding (SUP) to watch the sunset and sunrise on the Lòng Tàu River. For camping and fishing enthusiasts, Thiềng Liềng is an ideal location due to its rich and unspoiled natural environment.
For camping and fishing enthusiasts, Thieng Lieng is an ideal destination due to its rich and unspoiled natural environment.
A few things to keep in mind when traveling to Thieng Lieng Island.
Move
Mr. Thanh Tuan shared that currently there are no public boats to Thieng Lieng, only boats to Thanh An. Therefore, most tourists who want to visit the island will have to rent a boat or canoe. Tourists go to Tac Xuat ferry terminal, Can Thanh town, Can Gio district, and then take a public boat to Thanh An island.
There are 5 round trips daily at 6:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. From Thanh An Island, tourists can rent a speedboat to Thieng Lieng, carrying 5 to 6 people per trip, costing approximately 400,000 - 600,000 VND per trip. If traveling in a large group and don't want to make multiple trips, you can rent a direct boat from Tac Xuat to Thieng Lieng, but the price will be higher.
Currently, there are no public boats to Thieng Lieng, only boats to Thanh An.
Cuisine
As a mangrove island at the river mouth, the local population is mostly from the Mekong Delta, so the cuisine has its own unique characteristics. Dishes utilize readily available ingredients such as dried fish, oysters, mantis shrimp... or fruits and plants on the island like coconut, syrup tree, and water hyacinth... There are almost no restaurants or markets on the island, so tourists have to order meals from local families or homestay owners.
The people on the island are hospitable, enthusiastic, and honest.
Weather
Although it's very close to the city center and can be visited at any time of year, tourists need to check the weather beforehand because they travel by boat. Mr. Thanh Tuan specifically emphasized that the salt fields are only harvested by the locals from October to April (lunar calendar). During the rainy season, the area is left fallow, covered in green algae, so choosing the right time is essential to fully enjoy the beauty of Thieng Lieng island hamlet.
Although it's very close to the city center and can be visited at any time of year, tourists need to check the weather beforehand because they travel by train.
Thieng Lieng is a disadvantaged island hamlet where the residents earn only meager incomes from salt production. Thanks to tourism development, the people have the opportunity to earn additional income. Furthermore, tourism here also focuses on environmental protection and mangrove conservation, making it suitable for tourists who enjoy unique experiences and love nature.
"Meeting and chatting with the hospitable and honest islanders, enjoying local dishes, and learning more about the traditional salt-making craft made this trip particularly memorable for me," Thanh Tuan shared.
Thieng Lieng tourism focuses on environmental protection and mangrove forest conservation, making it suitable for tourists who enjoy unique experiences and love nature.
