Nguyen Hai
Experience the magic of Ru Cha Forest in the autumn.

Located approximately 15km to the east of Hue City is a pristine primary forest named Ru Cha, which is part of the Tam Giang Lagoon system in Huong Phong commune, Hue City.
Tam Giang is considered the largest brackish lagoon in Southeast Asia. In this saltwater flood zone, milky mangroves thrive and cover up to 90% of the forest area. Hence, the simple name “Ru Cha” was given to this area by the locals, with “rú” referring to a forest. In spring and summer, the lush green Ru Cha Forest covers around 5 hectares of salt marsh.
Upon arriving, the first thing visitors notice is the fresh and pleasant air. As autumn approaches, the leaves change color, making Ru Cha Forest one of the most romantic destinations in Hue. If you wish to experience this wild beauty and immerse yourself in a captivating golden autumn landscape, visit Ru Cha Forest from the end of September through October. At this time, the primary forest is immersed in the yellow and red hues of flowers and leaves, while the atmosphere is tranquil. Visitors can leisurely follow a small path beneath the interlaced milky mangrove canopy to admire the leaves and scattered rays of sunlight, painting an even more brilliant picture of autumn.
The most popular way to explore Ru Cha Forest is to ride on a small wooden boat, weaving through clusters of towering milky mangroves. The deeper you venture, the more captivating the autumn scene becomes, with its soft colors and tranquil atmosphere. All you can hear is the chirping of birds and the occasional glimpse of fish darting under the water, as Ru Cha is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. The gentle breeze rustles through the leaves, while the sound of birdsong, insects, and aquatic animals creates a soothing symphony that encapsulates the vibrant life of the forest. Occasionally, visitors may catch sight of local residents casting their nets. The protection and maintenance of Ru Cha’s rich ecosystem have created an abundant source of seafood for the local community.

While Ru Cha was relatively unknown in the past, in recent years, the mesmerizing autumn colors have caught the attention of many photographers, spreading images of this place far and wide and attracting growing numbers of visitors. The roads have been upgraded and a small observation deck has been built to give visitors a panoramic view of Ru Cha from above. At each sunset or sunrise, it’s a wonderful sight to behold as Ru Cha unfolds like a golden carpet stretching far into the distance, with the hues of the golden leaves changing as the sun gradually rises or sets.
People often claim that Ru Cha is the perfect place to snap autumn photos in nature to post on social media. But once you’re here, amidst this romantic landscape of rivers and vegetation, you will realize that you are too busy “living in the moment”, savoring every precious moment amidst nature, to think of your online presence.