A corner of Tan Lap floating village seen from above (Photo: VNA) Lying along National Highway 62 in Tan Lap commune of Moc Hoa district, Tan Lapfloating village covers an area of 135ha and has a buffer zone of 500ha plannedfor ecotourism in Long An and the wetlands of Dong Thap Muoi. It’s about 15kmsouth of the Cambodian border and about 110km from Ho Chi Minh City.
The village was formerly a landflooded all year round. People built houses on high mounds to cope with theflooding. Every time when the water rose, the floor was also raised inaccordance with the water level. Time passed, people used to call it a“floating village”.
Today, this place is no longerinhabited since the government has a project to develop it into an eco-tourismsite.
The best way to explore thefloating village and melaleuca forest is on a rowing boat, the ferryman willalways be a guide, helping visitors discover and learn about the giant swamp,green vegetation or watch the blooming lotus pond. The boat ride through theMelaleuca Forest takes about 30 minutes.
The highlight of the Melaleucaforest is the 38-metre-tall watchtower, where tourists can admire the grandeurand vastness of the forest. There is a 5km long walking road through theMelaleuca forest, which is Vietnam’s longest. Aside from this 38-metre-tallwatchtower, there is also an 18-metre-tall one. Visitors can travel to Tan Lapfloating village in September, October and November when the water level ishigh to admire the lotus blooming.
Every afternoon, visitors can seehundreds of white storks and black Little Cormorants flying back after a day ofseeking feed.
Tourists visit the flooded Melaleuca forest at Tan Lap floating village tourist site. (Photo: VNA) Staff will take visitors in bymotorboat or rowboat, weaving through a small canal to the Melaleuca forest.From there, visitors can walk across the 100-metre-long Melaleuca bridge.
One of the most beautifullandscapes of Tan Lap floating village is the X-shaped bridge and the Y-shapedone, which cross a vast field of water lilies.
From 7 am to 9 am, the bulbs arein full bloom, and birds are flying and chirping, creating a wonderful scene inthis flooded ecological area. This is also the reason why many couples choosethis place as the backdrop for beautiful wedding photos.
In good physical health, visitorscan continue the journey by going deep into the forest to the Crescent Lakefilled with lotus and water lilies.
The lake covers about22,000sq.m, winding in a very impressive semicircle with calm clear water.
In Tan Lap floating village,there is also a folk game area likened to a small oasis, surrounded by a lotusand water lily pond with many types of fish.
This is not only a place toexperience folk games, such as seesaws and crossing monkey bridges, but also anideal place for sightseeing and fishing.
Coming to Tan Lap floatingvillage, visitors should not neglect the beekeeping area where they areintroduced to the process of apiculture, taught how to harvest honey, and cantry a beverage made from honey.
Tan Lap floating village can bedescribed as an ideal destination for those who love photography and want toenjoy the peaceful atmosphere./.
VNA
