U Minh

U Minh is a commune (xã) in Cà Mau Province, located in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. Established in June 2025 through a reorganisation of commune-level administrative units, U Minh Commune covers an area of approximately 145 km² with a population of around 32,991 people. It was formed by merging Khánh Hòa Commune, Khánh Tiến Commune, part of Khánh Thuận Commune and part of Khánh Lâm Commune, all within U Minh District. The commune lies near the western coast of the Cà Mau Peninsula and is part of the U Minh forest region, one of the last remaining peat-swamp forest ecosystems in Vietnam.

The climate is tropical monsoon with a dry season (November–April) and a rainy season (May–October). The area is low-lying and heavily forested.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Ca Mau Airport (CAH), about 50 km southeast. Taxis and buses connect from the airport.

By Train

By Car / Road

U Minh is about 45 km northwest of Ca Mau City via National Road 1A and local roads. Buses from Ca Mau run to U Minh town. The journey takes about 1 hour.

Motorbikes are the most practical way to get around. The commune is rural with roads through forested areas. Boats are used on the numerous canals that crisscross the peat-swamp landscape.

• U Minh forest — one of the largest remaining peat-swamp forests in Vietnam, rich in biodiversity.

• U Minh Ha National Park — located nearby, protecting 8,286 hectares of wetland ecosystem with mangroves, snakes, turtles, birds and amphibians.

• Local canals and waterways — the forest is accessible via a network of canals.

• Explore U Minh Ha National Park — the park offers walking trails, boat trips and birdwatching opportunities.

• Bee-keeping tours — local families in the U Minh forest raise bees, producing a famous honey from the melaleuca flowers.

• Fishing and eel catching — traditional activities of the local people living in the forest.

• Boat trips through the peat-swamp forest — navigate the narrow canals through the dense vegetation.

Local cuisine features forest-sourced ingredients: wild honey, freshwater fish, eel and snakehead fish. Grilled snakehead fish with vegetables and honey-glazed dishes are specialities. Small eateries in the commune serve simple, rustic meals.

U Minh honey mixed with warm water or lime juice is a local health drink. Vietnamese coffee is also available. Bottled water is recommended.

U Minh has very limited accommodation. Small guesthouses (nhà nghỉ) operate near the national park entrance and in the commune centre, offering basic air-conditioned rooms from 200,000–350,000 dong per night. For a wider range of options, Ca Mau City (45 km southeast) has several budget and mid-range hotels.

U Minh is famous for its honey, produced from bees that feed on the melaleuca (cajeput) flowers. Other local products include dried fish, forest vegetables and traditional medicines. Bargaining is expected at local markets.

• U Minh Ha National Park — adjacent to the commune, a protected area with walking trails and boat tours.
• U Minh Thuong National Park — about 30 km north, in neighboring Kiên Giang Province.
• Ca Mau — 45 km southeast, the provincial capital.
• Thoi Binh — about 20 km east, a former district in Cà Mau Province.
• Rach Gia — about 100 km north, the capital of Kiên Giang Province.