Autumn yellow takes possession of central Vietnam's Ru Cha mangrove forest

By Huynh Phuong September 20, 2020 | 06:22 pm PT

Two HCMC-based lensmen visited Thua Thien-Hue Province in early September to capture the beauty of Ru Cha mangrove forest turning yellow during the seasonal transition.

Cao Ky Nhan and Cao Thi Ngoc Diem, who work in HCMC, carried out the photo collection during their field trip to Thua-Thien Hue, home to Hue, Vietnams former imperial capital, in early September. Around 15 kilometers from downtown Hue, Ru Cha is a tiny islet on the Tam Giang Lagoon. The islet was formed by large scale encroachments by locals that narrowed down the mangrove forest to its 5-hectare area today. Ru means forest and Cha is a tree species, so the name means a forest of Cha trees (excoecaria agallocha, a mangrove species) that used to grow densely in the area.

Lying around 15 km from downtown Hue, Ru Cha is a tiny islet on Tam Giang Lagoon. The islet was formed by large scale human encroachment, which narrowed down the mangrove forest to its current five-ha size. Ru means forest and Cha is a tree species, so its name indicates a forest of Cha trees (excoecaria agallocha, a mangrove species), which used to grow densely in the area.
The series of photos were taken by Cao Ky Nhan and Cao Thi Ngoc Diem in Thua-Thien Hue, home to Hue, Vietnam's former imperial capital.

This five-hectare area is the only preserved primeval mangrove forest in Hue, still serving the dual function of preventing saline encroachment and mitigating storm impacts. In recent years, it has become a famous tourist attraction in central Vietnam, especially in autumn when Ru Cha forest turned a yellow carpet. In the middle of the islet, local authorities have constructed a five-meter tall watchtower from where the natural beauty of the place can be seen and photographs taken.

This five-hectare area is the only preserved primeval mangrove forest in Hue, serving the dual function of preventing saline encroachment and mitigating storm impacts.
In recent years, it has become a famous tourist attraction in central Vietnam, especially in autumn when Ru Cha forest turns into a yellow carpet.
In the middle of the islet, local authorities have constructed a five-meter tall watchtower from where its natural beauty can be experienced.

It is not uncommon sight to see local fishermen rowing their boats along the islet. Fishing is the main vocation of the Tam Giang lagoon’s residents who live in their boats all year round.

It is not uncommon to see local fishermen rowing their boats around the islet. Fishing is the main vocation of Tam Giang Lagoon residents who live in their boats all year round.

An aerial photograph boasts a color divide, with the yellow on one bank of the islet, green on the other, and a fishing boat in between.

This aerial shot boasts the natural color palette, with yellow on one bank of the islet, green on the other, and a fishing boat cutting between.

An intricate network of fences and fish traps are used by locals to breed and catch fish in the lagoon.

But interested visitors can pay locals to rent a boat and row through the mangrove forest, take pictures and even learn to fish with nets.

Interested visitors can rent a boat and row through the mangrove forest, take pictures, and even learn to fish with nets.

Local residents said that it was not easy to enter the forest in the past but tourists had to wade through water, take boats or wade in the mud. Today, visitors can ride motorbikes on concrete roads or take a small boat to go sightseeing around the forest.Inside the forest stands an ancient temple that worships theThanh Mau Goddess. Locals organize a spirit possession ritual (hau dong) at the temple during the third lunar month, seeking her protection.

Local residents said it was not easy to enter the forest in the past and that tourists had to wade through water, take boats, or struggle through the mud.
Today, visitors can ride motorbikes on concrete roads or take a small boat to go sightseeing around the forest.
Inside the forest stands an ancient temple venerating Goddess Thanh Mau. Locals organize a spirit possession ritual (hau dong) here during the third lunar month, seeking her protection.

A little girl floats on a boat when she follows her family to catch seafood inside Ru Cha. Since there are no eateries or restaurants inside the forest where tourism services have not yet to be developed, visitors often bring food with their own.

A little girl floats along with her family fishing for sustenance inside Ru Cha.
Since there are no eateries or restaurants inside the forest, visitors often bring food of their own.