HCM City (VNS/VNA) - The Mekong Delta province of An Giang hasapproved the development of an eco-tourism and amusement area at the Tra Sucajuput forest in Tinh Bien district by 2030.

It will foster eco-tourism by protecting and conserving natural resources andbiodiversity, attracting domestic and international visitors, and helpingconserve the 845ha forest.

An Giang Tourimex has been given the approval to lease 158 hectares for 20 yearsand the remaining 686ha will be used for other eco-tourism activities.

Located just 150km from Ho Chi Minh City, Tra Su is home to hundreds of speciesof flora and fauna.

It is a typical cajuput forest on the western part of the Hau River, atributary of the Mekong. Waterways that cut through a forest of green melaleucatrees are a great way to reconnect with nature, breath in the fresh air andlisten to the sound of chirping birds, a world away from the noise and bustleof cities.

Visitors can also enjoy watching locals harvest cajuput flower honey. Dependingon the quality, a litre of this honey costs 300,000 VND to over 1 million VND (13– 43 USD).

During a tour, visitors travel by motorboat and switch to a rowing boat onreaching the heart of the forest. This is when they can see many birds foragingand nesting. The forest is home to about 70 species of birds, including storksand bitterns.

Last year, Tra Su was named the most beautiful forest in Vietnam by the Vietnam RecordsOrganisation.

It will be the fourth forest in the delta to exploit eco-tourism, the otherbeing Dat Mui eco-tourism site in Ca Mau province, Tam Chim in Dong Thap  and U Minh Thuong in Kien Giang./.