Ru Cha in Hoa Chau Ward, Hue City, has emerged as a new tourist attraction in the former imperial capital. It is a pristine forest and the only remaining mangrove forest on Tam Giang Lagoon, the largest lagoon system in Southeast Asia. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
Ru Cha in Hoa Chau Ward, Hue City, has emerged as a new tourist attraction in the former imperial capital. It is a pristine forest and the only remaining mangrove forest on Tam Giang Lagoon, the largest lagoon system in Southeast Asia. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
Ru Cha’s pristine, mysterious beauty attracts young visitors seeking an escape from the city and a place to explore and take photos. It is among Hue’s top 20 tourist attractions. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
Ru Cha’s pristine, mysterious beauty attracts young visitors seeking an escape from the city and a place to explore and take photos. It is among Hue’s top 20 tourist attractions. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
Visitors can admire Ru Cha’s pristine scenery in the early morning, when fishermen cast their nets through the mist. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
Visitors can admire Ru Cha’s pristine scenery in the early morning, when fishermen cast their nets through the mist. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
During the foliage-changing season, yellow leaves reflect on the clear water, while trees shedding their leaves in the morning mist create a distinctive landscape. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
During the foliage-changing season, yellow leaves reflect on the clear water, while trees shedding their leaves in the morning mist create a distinctive landscape. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
“As a native of Hoa Chau, I have never missed the season when the trees in Ru Cha change their leaves. What I like most is that Ru Cha continues to thrive while preserving its pristine beauty,” said Sy Nhat, a resident of Hoa Chau Ward, Hue City. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
“As a native of Hoa Chau, I have never missed the season when the trees in Ru Cha change their leaves. What I like most is that Ru Cha continues to thrive while preserving its pristine beauty,” said Sy Nhat, a resident of Hoa Chau Ward, Hue City. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
Most of Ru Cha mangrove forest is covered by Cha trees, whose large roots rise above the water like natural sculptures. Locals say “Ru” means forest, while “Cha” refers to the distinctive mangrove species found mainly here. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
Most of Ru Cha mangrove forest is covered by Cha trees, whose large roots rise above the water like natural sculptures. Locals say “Ru” means forest, while “Cha” refers to the distinctive mangrove species found mainly here. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
Ru Cha is home to thousands of old Cha trees as well as numerous aquatic species and rare birds. Hue’s forest protection authorities say it plays an important biological role in the Tam Giang Lagoon ecosystem. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
Ru Cha is home to thousands of old Cha trees as well as numerous aquatic species and rare birds. Hue’s forest protection authorities say it plays an important biological role in the Tam Giang Lagoon ecosystem. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
“Although Ru Cha is only about 15 km from downtown Hue, it feels completely different from the busy city. It is remarkably peaceful, as if time has stopped. Walking along the concrete path through the forest and listening to birdsong, I feel as if I have stepped into a fairy-tale world,” said visitor Truong Hong Quan. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
“Although Ru Cha is only about 15 km from downtown Hue, it feels completely different from the busy city. It is remarkably peaceful, as if time has stopped. Walking along the concrete path through the forest and listening to birdsong, I feel as if I have stepped into a fairy-tale world,” said visitor Truong Hong Quan. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
In September, blooming Cha trees fill the forest with color. In late autumn, the forest turns yellow, creating the serene, romantic beauty associated with Hue, while in winter the trees shed their leaves, revealing bare branches. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
In September, blooming Cha trees fill the forest with color. In late autumn, the forest turns yellow, creating the serene, romantic beauty associated with Hue, while in winter the trees shed their leaves, revealing bare branches. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
“I particularly enjoy Ru Cha around September, when the Cha trees begin to change their leaves. The landscape combines the ink-wash beauty of East Asia with a European feel. Visitors can rent a small boat to explore deeper parts of the forest, listen to birdsong and the sound of oars on the water. From the observation tower, they can also watch the setting sun cast its glow over the forest and Tam Giang Lagoon,” said Sy Nhat, a resident of Hoa Chau Ward, Hue City. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)
“I particularly enjoy Ru Cha around September, when the Cha trees begin to change their leaves. The landscape combines the ink-wash beauty of East Asia with a European feel. Visitors can rent a small boat to explore deeper parts of the forest, listen to birdsong and the sound of oars on the water. From the observation tower, they can also watch the setting sun cast its glow over the forest and Tam Giang Lagoon,” said Sy Nhat, a resident of Hoa Chau Ward, Hue City. (Photo: Van Dinh Huy)

According to the Hue City Forest Protection Department, Ru Cha mangrove forest is not diverse in species but plays an important role in the wetland ecosystem. The rare primary forest also acts as a “green wall”, helping reduce damage from natural disasters, protect dykes and strengthen resilience to climate change.

At the end of 2025, Hue City approved a project to restore and expand the forest. About 17.29 hectares of new mangroves will be planted, with Cha as the dominant species.

Once completed, the new forest will cover about 17.65 hectares. Together with nearly 30 hectares of existing forest, Ru Cha will form a nearly 48 hectare mangrove area, one of the largest in central Vietnam. It is expected to serve as an important site for conserving mangrove plant genetic resources in Vietnam, as well as for scientific research, environmental education and ecotourism.