Cape Ca Mau

Dat Mui is the southern tip of the Vietnamese mainland, marked by a monument shaped like a boat with the coordinates on it, and the thing that distinguishes it is that the land is not finished: silt carried down the Mekong system is deposited here and held by mangrove, so the cape advances seaward by something in the order of tens of metres a year, and the country is measurably larger than it was. The surrounding Mui Ca Mau national park protects that mangrove and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a Ramsar site. Boardwalks run out over the mud and boats go through the channels.

The landscape

• The southernmost point of Vietnam - marked by a boat-shaped monument.
• Land still being made - silt held by mangrove, advancing seaward each year.
• Mangrove national park - a biosphere reserve and Ramsar site.
• Boardwalks over the mud - and boats through the channels.

When to go

December to April, the dry season. A full day.

Before you go

It is a long way from anywhere - Ca Mau city is itself remote and the cape is hours beyond it. Mosquitoes are heavy. The monument area is developed and busy with domestic visitors. Heat and humidity are constant.

Nearby

U Minh Ha national park is north; Ca Mau city is the base.

Key facts