An ecological tourism complex outside Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as a perfect choice for tourists who look for outdoor experiences like jungle trekking, homestays, and fruit and vegetable picking.

Located in Vinh Cuu District in Dong Nai Province, over 80 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, the Kingfisher Nest Dong Nai is gaining in appeal among trekkers and enthusiasts of pastoral life.

Tours offered on Saturdays and Sundays to this tourism venue are becoming popular with local companies that prefer their employees to partake in green activities.

One of the complex’s highlights is jungle biking, which offers terrain biking experiences on densely vegetated trails.    The treks are designed in mounting difficulty levels and lengths, from 15 to 45 kilometers and even longer to cater to clients’ diverse demands.

Apart from jungle trekking and biking, tourists are also drawn to “role-play” tours, which provide memorable experiences of farming, homestays in basic conditions, collecting litter in the jungle or mingling with locals.

“It’s the first time we have trekked across the jungle. We were thrilled, though worn out, as we’re not used to walking for such a long time, particularly on rough terrain,” said Nguyen Tung, from Thu Duc District in Ho Chi Minh City.

Tung added he and his friends also got slightly anxious as there were no cellphone signals upon entering the jungle.

“Leeches and insects kept crawling all over us, triggering both screams and laughter. We spent the night in a shed, owned by a person who has lived in the jungle for over 18 years, and became one with nature thanks to such activities as bathing in springs, cooking in the jungle, and sleeping in the open in chilly climate while there was no electricity, cellphone signal or 3G network whatsoever. What a tour!” the man exclaimed.

According to a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter’s observation, the plain-looking shed is surrounded by fruit-laden trees, fish ponds and vegetable beds, and resonates with symphonies created by dogs, poultry, and birds.

A few utensils including wood stoves, pots, and kettles were seen around the shed.

Upon arrival at the homestead, a group of 20 young people from Ho Chi Minh City began scouring for cans of delectable pickled vegetables prepared by the tourism complex owner’s mother.

Among them, some were first-timers while many others had visited the complex for the second or third times.

The girls picked vegetables and fruits, went fishing, and prepared their own meal.

A family is pictured picking vegetables in this Tuoi Tre file photo.

Nguyen Thi Hang Nga, who comes from District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, found the place an ideal space to unwind on weekends and further bond with family members.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Xuan Huong, another tourist from the city’s Tan Binh District, observed that the rustic experiences are invaluable for urban kids.

The owner of the Kingfisher Nest Dong Nai ecotourism complex is Nguyen Dinh Hieu, 32, who has a poverty background.

Infatuated with the allure of jungles, he is keen on combining jungle and wildlife protection with developing his tourism business.

Hieu founded his company in 2012, which has been active in social work, environmental protection, and charity, and has provided a stable livelihood for locals.

“Once locals’ conservation activities go hand in hand with the government’s support, a brighter future for them will be within reach,” he said.

The complex’s revenue not only benefits Hieu and his family but also serves as a stable income for those who directly supply safe produce and food to tourists.

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