Location
An Minh and Vinh Thuan districts, Kien Giang Province about 365 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City
Area:
218 sq km
Date declared as an AHP:
25 September 2012, at the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Thailand
Other international designation/s:
RAMSAR site, biosphere reserve
Contact information
Le Hoang Huong
AHP Manager
E-mail: huongumt@gmail.com
Unique Flora: Significant plants include the duckweed (Lemna tenera), which is rare throughout its range in Southeast Asia but common at U Minh Thuong; Melaleuca cajuputi; Phragmites vallatoria; Cayratia trifolia.
Unique Fauna: Significant species include Oriental small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea); Sunda pangolin (Manis javanicus); large spotted civet (Viverra megaspila); Oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster); spot-billed pelican(Pelecanus philippensis); painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala); lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus); black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus); glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus); greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga); grey-headed fish eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus); and Asian golden weaver (Ploceus hypoxanthus).
Habitat Types: The Park supports a range of wetland habitats, including a semi-natural Melaleuca forest, seasonally inundated grassland, and open swamp.
The Park has historical significance since the area was used as a base by resistance forces during the First and Second Indochina Wars. The sunset in the Park is fantastic as thousands of birds return from feeding grounds to their nests; the forest is full of wildlife and the sounds of monkeys and wild pigs.