As Hue pursues its green tourism development, Ru Cha is presented with a new opportunity to be “awakened” and transformed into a distinctive ecotourism destination while still preserving the soul of a pristine forest.
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| Ru Cha is home to a distinct mangrove ecosystem |
Ru Cha’s Strengths
Located just around 15 kilometers from downtown Hue, the road leading to Ru Cha has now been upgraded, making it more convenient for locals and visitors to access the site. What continues to excite visitors is the feeling of stepping into an enchanting forest, where the rustling of the wind blends with the ‘songs of birds’.
Ru Cha is the only surviving pristine mangrove forest in Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon system, the largest brackish-water lagoon in Southeast Asia. For generations, the forest has served as a natural ‘shield against floods’, quietly protecting nearby villages, prosperity, and local lives from the impacts of annual storms and heavy rains.
People here used to say: “Ru tan lang mat - When the forest is gone, the village will perish”. Recognizing the vital role Ru Cha plays in protecting their community, they have protected the forest as an integral part of their homeland. From an original area of just about 5 hectares, Ru Cha has gradually expanded to nearly 30 hectares through sustained conservation and mangrove planting efforts over the years.
Amid the lush greenery, cha trees stand out with their distinctive beauty. Untouched by human hands, each tree resembles a natural bonsai, featuring winding exposed roots and twisted trunks sculpted by time.
More fascinating still is biologists’ discovery of the species’ unique ‘husband-and-wife’ characteristics. Male trees bear clusters of yellow flowers that sway gently in the breeze, while female trees are laden with fruits. When the winds sweep in from Tam Giang Lagoon, pollen is carried to the fruit clusters, beginning a new cycle of life for the green shoots. Perhaps that is why Rú Chá has never grown old.
A different color in every season
While spring and early summer, from around February to April, drape Ru Cha in a blanket of lush green shoots, autumn transforms the mangrove forest into a breathtaking painting that leaves every visitor in surprise.
In September and October, the entire forest bursts into a new palette of colors. Lush green gives way to golden hues, interspersed with shades of orange and red. From the observation tower, each canopy below resembles a vibrant carpet stretching across the vast lagoon. Many visitors liken the scene to a ‘European autumn’ in the heart of Hue.
Morning is the best time to visit. The early sunlight filters through the foliage, sparkling on the water’s surface. The air is fresh and tranquil, and simply standing still for a few minutes is enough to feel the pace of life seemingly slow down.
Every day, hundreds of visitors come to Ru Cha, but most simply take a walk, pose for photos, then leave. As evening falls, the forest returns to its inherent tranquility. Yet, there are still few tourism services here capable of encouraging visitors to stay longer.
With no accommodation, no full-scale restaurants, and few well-organized experiential activities, those who want to linger at Ru Cha often have to pack their own food and water.
Deep in the forest stands only the simple home of Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Dap and his wife, a man affectionately nicknamed the ‘Robinson of Ru Cha’. Occasionally, the couple serves a few dishes and drinks to visitors, though purely on a spontaneous basis.
As night falls, the glowing Thuan An sea-crossing bridge can be seen from Ru Cha. That view alone is enough to make visitors wish to stay another night and listen to the whisper of lagoon breeze. Yet, in the end, they still have to leave.
That is what has long weighed on Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Dap’s mind. “It is a pity that Ru Cha has yet to receive enough investment to develop into a full-scale ecotourism destination. If that can be achieved, it would create opportunities for locals to develop tourism services, earn a living, and boost the local economy,” he said.
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| The forest served as a natural ‘shield against floods’, quietly protecting nearby villages, prosperity, and local lives from the impacts of annual storms and heavy rains |
A Chance to Unlock Its Potential
After years of remaining merely ideas on paper, Ru Cha is now poised for a new chance of transformation. A company has joined forces with Hoa Chau Ward People’s Committee to survey the area and develop a cooperation plan for ecotourism development in Ru Cha - Con Te, with a focus on a sustainable community-based tourism model.
According to Mr. Phan Trong Nghia, Chairman of Hoa Chau Ward’s People’s Committee, Ru Cha’s greatest advantage lies not only in its mangrove forest but also in its potential to connect with Bao Vinh ancient town and Tam Giang Lagoon. This provides a foundation for developing a distinctive range of tourism products that brings together nature, culture, and community life.
In a step-by-step to capitalize on Ru Cha’s potential, local authorities are surveying upgrades to transport infrastructure, dikes, boat docks, and rest stops. At the same time, they are developing new tourism offerings, including the ‘Ru Cha Autumn’ cultural program, the ‘Ru Cha Marathon’, and lagoon experiences… This strategy aims to build an eco-friendly tourism chain that safeguards the environment while empowering local livelihoods.
Another major boost came as Hue City People’s Committee approved the investment policy for a mangrove afforestation project in Ru Cha. Under the plan, approximately 17.29 hectares of new forest will be established, with Cha tree as the primary species, interplanted with mangrove apple, loop-root mangrove, nipa palm… This combination not only maintains ecological balance but also crafts a seasonally diverse landscape. At the same time, about 3 hectares of current Cha trees will be supplemented with extra planting.
The project will also include comprehensive infrastructure development, including a 2.7-kilometer road running through the forest, a water channel connecting to Tam Giang Lagoon, a parking lot, a lighting system, a fire protection system, an observation tower, and a fishing gear museum. With a total investment of around VND 73 billion for the 2025-2027 period, the Ru Cha forest is expected to expand from nearly 30 hectares to almost 50 hectares. In addition to the afforestation program, accommodation facilities, restaurants, and entertainment services will also be developed to encourage visitors to stay longer.
Awakening Ru Cha is not about sacrificing nature for concrete constructions or mass tourism. It is about unveiling the values of a ‘green gem’ through a sustainable mindset, so that Cha trees can keep blossoming, the forest remains a protective shield for the local villages, and every visitor can still find a peaceful place amid the fast pace of modern life.