2026 Positive Energy Contest: Exploring the ‘Green Maze’ of Bau Da Wetland Forest

A slow-moving boat carries visitors into Bau Da wetland forest, slipping between lotus clusters and beneath interwoven branches that form a cool green canopy.

Located in My Dien hamlet, Hoa Thinh commune, Dak Lak province, the wetland covers more than 30 hectares. Its diverse ecosystem helps conserve biodiversity, regulate water and maintain ecological balance. As the boat moves deeper into the forest, banyan-like trees and other wetland vegetation cast shadows over clear water, while egrets and other birds nest in the canopy.

Local residents say the forest is at its most beautiful from December through about October of the following year. The area also supports their livelihoods, with fish, shrimp, crabs and snails found in its waters.

Visitors have been especially struck by the feeling of entering a maze as the boat passes beneath the trees. At sunrise and sunset, they can also watch residents throw nets for fish and harvest lotus, while the wetland takes on different appearances through the day.

The trial tour is intended to assess Bau Da’s potential for ecotourism. The locality has also organized a car caravan and is developing tours linking several destinations. Once completed, the project is expected to offer visitors a new nature-based destination while connecting tourism with ecosystem conservation.