Mui Ca Mau Biosphere Reserve covers an area of more than 371,500 ha and consists of three zones: a core zone of nearly 17,330 ha, a buffer zone of 43,309 ha, and a transition zone of nearly 310,860 ha. The three core areas include the strictly protected sub-zone of Mui Ca Mau National Park, U Minh Ha National Park, and the coastal protection forest belt of West Ca Mau.

This area brings together many typical ecosystems: mangrove forests, melaleuca forests on peat wetlands, and marine ecosystems. Each ecosystem preserves abundant biological and geological resources of high conservation value. The Mui Ca Mau area is a spawning and nursery ground for many aquatic species, simultaneously influenced by the semidiurnal tide of the East Sea and the diurnal tide of the West Sea, creating rich biodiversity.

With nearly 42,000 ha of land, including 15,260 ha of mainland, Mui Ca Mau National Park is considered the largest primary mangrove forest in Vietnam. It is home to more than 200 bird species, many of which are rare and listed in the global Red Book such as the black-faced spoonbill, lesser adjutant, and black-headed ibis. The coastal area also has hundreds of aquatic species: goby, shrimp, saltwater crocodile, smooth-coated otter, and more.

In 2012, Mui Ca Mau National Park was recognized as Vietnam's 5th Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance. The mangrove ecosystem here continuously expands naturally, advancing several dozen meters into the sea each year thanks to alluvium and the root systems of mangroves and Sonneratia along the coast.

U Minh Ha forest is also considered a “traditional medicine warehouse” with more than 200 plant species used for medicinal purposes, as well as being home to many rare animals such as honey bees, yellow-headed temple turtles, fishing cats, and lesser whistling ducks.

Beyond biological value, this area also serves as a “green shield” against the impacts of climate change. Dense mangrove forests not only protect sea dikes and prevent erosion but also act as natural buffers that mitigate damage from storms, high tides, and sea-level rise. This is a key factor in ensuring livelihood stability for local people, especially communities engaged in shrimp farming, salt making, and forest-based fisheries. Environmental experts also highly value the carbon sequestration capacity of mangroves, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, conserving and restoring mangroves is not only of national significance but also a shared global responsibility toward sustainable development goals.

This fertility has created an extremely rich forest ecosystem rarely found elsewhere. Taking advantage of this potential, people in mangrove areas such as Ngoc Hien, Nam Can, and Phu Tan have relied on forests to develop their economy, enabling many households to improve their lives and prosper.

Experts assess the mangrove ecosystem in Mui Ca Mau as a young alluvial ground. Its surface is formed by sediment materials brought by rivers, deposited in the coastal marine environment, and transformed into coastal swamp environments. The alluvial ground of Mui Ca Mau has a very special tidal regime as it borders two seas with different tidal patterns.

The eastern coast has an irregular semidiurnal tide with a large tidal amplitude of 2.5–3 m, while the western coast belongs to a diurnal tide with an amplitude of 1–1.5 m during spring tides. The eastern tide pushes water deep inland, while the western tide draws water seaward. Thanks to this advantage, marine resources such as clams, ark shells, cockles, and mud creepers thrive, bringing high economic value.

Duong Nhu Quynh, General Officer of the Office of the Management Board of Mui Ca Mau Biosphere Reserve, said: Mui Ca Mau Biosphere Reserve is not only diverse in habitats and terrain but also rich in cultural heritage. Ca Mau province has 41 historical and cultural relics, including 12 ranked as national relics. Among those significant for tourism are Phat To Pagoda, Tan Hung Communal House, Nha Day Thep, and Hong Anh Thu Quan.

In addition, there are tourist attractions such as Vo Doi Forest Village, Ben Vam Lung, Hon Da Bac, Saraymel Chey Pagoda (Cao Dan Pagoda), Tan Thanh Communal House, Minh Nguyet Cu Si Lam Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Memorial, Xeo Duoc Provincial Party Committee Historical Site, and the Memorial of folk artisan Nguyen Long Phi (Uncle Ba Phi).

Along Dat Mui, Vien An, and Tam Giang Tay communes, it is easy to see households both farming shrimp and protecting forests. The shrimp–forest model has become the main livelihood for tens of thousands of households, following the principle of “60% forest, 40% ponds”. Thanks to this, Ca Mau shrimp enjoys natural advantages, meets organic standards, and has been exported to Europe and the US.

The dual tidal regime helps accumulate sediment, generating valuable aquatic resources such as sesarmid crabs, mud crabs, mud creepers, ark shells, blood cockles, clams, and mudskippers. For people under the forest canopy, these creatures are considered gifts of nature, or as locals say, “heaven’s blessings” that have sustained them for generations. Some families even continue traditions of harvesting forest products across generations.

Relying on forests for livelihood, Ta Van Tho from Tan An commune, Ngoc Hien district, shared: “The forest has fed my family; thanks to it, we have good meals. For me, planting and restoring mangroves is a noble responsibility. I join in planting characteristic mangrove species like Rhizophora, Sonneratia, and Avicennia. They help hold soil, prevent erosion, and create habitats. Though the work is hard, I am independent and free.”

For mangrove people, the forest is both a green lung and a livelihood source. In hard economic times, harvesting forest products is a stable occupation that improves income. “I always strictly follow forest protection rules, since the forest means life,” he emphasized.

Nguyen Van Dau from Ngoc Hien district said: “The mangrove ecosystem is extremely diverse, providing many livelihoods. Here, people largely rely on the forest, as most are laborers without production means. For me, the forest is like flesh and blood, sustaining my family for years. Now, a day in the forest means income. I only harvest aquatic resources of proper size, leaving small ones to regenerate.”

Nguyen Van Hung, a shrimp farmer under forest canopy in Vien An commune, said: “In the past, my family lived on firewood collection. Now with forest allocation policies, we both protect forests and farm shrimp. Each year we earn USD 8,000–12,000. Protecting forests means clean shrimp and higher prices.” He added, “We avoid dumping waste, especially plastics and harmful chemicals, to protect ecosystems. Sorting and recycling waste is also useful.”

Ly Anh Thu, Deputy Director of Anh Thu Cooperative in Ngoc Hien commune, shared: “We specialize in processing seafood from local resources. Clean products with local flavors attract tourists. OCOP products not only create jobs but also promote the Biosphere Reserve.”

So far, the cooperative has produced shrimp paste, anchovy paste, chicken comb fish paste, one-sun dried croaker, one-sun dried anchovy, rimmed anchovy, rimmed chicken comb fish, and more. These products have built a strong brand, widely recognized nationwide. Rimmed chicken comb fish has been selected as a 3-star OCOP product to enhance value.

In coastal areas, salt-making continues as a traditional craft, while in U Minh, forest honey collection and OCOP products such as dried snakehead, swamp eel, and dried fish are thriving.

Ca Mau has implemented policies integrating conservation with development. Forest allocation to households has strengthened protection and reduced illegal logging. Green livelihood models are encouraged, from organic shrimp to OCOP products.

The New Rural Development Program is integrated into conservation efforts. Many coastal communes build infrastructure while protecting forests and ecosystems.

Ecotourism is emerging as a key direction. Attractions such as the National GPS 0001 landmark, Mui Ca Mau – where land expands into the sea, U Minh Ha forest, and Hon Khoai island cluster attract millions of tourists annually. Visitors not only admire landscapes but also join community experiences: rowing through forests, making salt, or fishing.

Pham Van Muoi, Deputy Director of Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment, emphasized: “Sustainable development is the guiding principle. The Biosphere Reserve is both a natural treasure and a livelihood source. Protecting it ensures sustainable development, while mismanagement will bring immediate consequences.”

However, Mui Ca Mau Biosphere Reserve faces challenges. Climate change causes severe erosion along the eastern coast, with tens of hectares of forest lost in just a few years, while the western coast is accreting, creating an imbalance.

Population pressure, overfishing, and intensive shrimp farming also cause pollution and resource degradation.

Lam Van Loi, a fisherman from Tam Giang Tay commune, shared: “In the past, a night at sea filled our boats. Now, even a week at sea barely covers fuel costs. Fish and shrimp are dwindling while expenses rise. We know we must change but need guidance.”

To respond, Ca Mau authorities are implementing solutions: planting mangroves, building anti-erosion embankments, controlling IUU fishing, and encouraging livelihood transitions. The province also partners with international organizations to study and develop climate adaptation models.

Mui Ca Mau has the opportunity to become an international ecotourism destination. Beyond conservation, it can also serve as a hub for environmental education, experiential tourism, and scientific research.

The province aims to build the brand “Mui Ca Mau—green livelihood, organic products, sustainable ecotourism.” This will enhance economic value and promote the nation’s image worldwide.

Increasingly, agricultural and traditional craft products from Ca Mau are recognized domestically and internationally: melaleuca honey, dried shrimp, dried fish, crab, fish sauce, and more. Many have been trademark-certified such as U Minh forest honey, Phu Tan dried goby, Tran Van Thoi climbing perch, Nam Can crab, Rach Goc dried shrimp, Tran Van Thoi dried banana, Cai Nuoc pickled bong bong shoots, Tan Thanh marble goby, and Thoi Binh snakehead fish sauce. These products have high market potential, aligning development with conservation and highlighting the unique natural values of the Mui Ca Mau Biosphere Reserve.

Pham Thanh Ngai, Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, affirmed: “The Mui Ca Mau World Biosphere Reserve is an invaluable asset of the province and the nation. It is both a green lung and a source of life, the foundation for Ca Mau to develop sustainably and adapt to climate change.”

Concluding the journey to the southernmost tip of the country, one realizes this: the Mui Ca Mau World Biosphere Reserve not only preserves biodiversity but also embodies the soul of the land, forest, and sea. It is where nature and people intertwine, where shrimp, salt, and rice grains all become “gold” in the southernmost land of the nation.