The island in Soc Trang Province, the last stretch of land on the Hau River before it empties into the East Sea, is gaining attention for its unspoilt landscape and a troop of wild monkeys living among dense mangroves.
Huynh Huu Loc, a visitor from Can Tho on his first trip to the site, said he was struck by the sight of playful monkeys at a bamboo walkway that cuts through the forest. The rustic setting and the animals’ close presence have made the area increasingly popular with tourists.
Located near the river’s mouths of Dinh An, Tran De and Ba Thac, Cu Lao Dung hosts a diverse ecosystem. Its south-eastern section includes around 1,700 hectares of mangrove forest, where Monkey Island retains much of its natural character.
Truong Van Dung, 50, known locally as Dung Khi (Dung Monkey), has spent decades tending the forest. Inheriting the work from his parents, he now manages five hectares and oversees the bamboo walkway site and its resident monkeys.
The area is home to around 30-40 monkeys, Dung said. They typically venture towards the tourist site in the morning, with some approaching visitors for food.
“If the monkeys bother guests too much, I send them back into the forest,” Dung said, adding that the animals largely forage for themselves and do not pose a threat.
Local residents have sought to protect the wildlife, though occasional monkey deaths have been observed, likely due to age, conflict or poaching.
Now a popular weekend destination, the site offers free entry, with food and drink services available. Visitors walk along a raised bamboo bridge, about one metre above the muddy ground, offering a distinctive way to explore the forest.
Beyond the monkeys, the mangrove is home to species typical of tidal wetlands, including mudskippers, wild bees, small crabs and other crustaceans.
Near the entrance, Dung has also set up a pond where visitors can fish or buy fresh fish.
