Located around 40 kilometres from downtown HCMC and recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2000 by UNESCO, Sac Forest is still a salted marshland with many riddles to be solved.

Covering over 31,000 hectares, the Vam Sat Salt-Marsh Forest Ecological Tourist Zone in Can Gio District, is one of the city’s oxygen lungs and a popular venue for day trippers who can enjoy fishing, cruising, watching wildlife, carefully walking on bamboo bridges and tasting local dishes.

But how many visitors are aware that the area used to be a vital military base for Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers.

Here are some snapshots taken by The Saigon Times Daily journalist Kinh Luan.

Some statues replicate the activities of Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers

It is an amazing experience to cruise along the mysterious mazes of the forest

Apart from battling their enemies, Vietnamese soldiers had to fight with another very dangerous species – the crocodile - Photos: Kinh Luan

Coming to the eco-tourist area, tourists will be attracted by the greenness of the mangroves and cheeky monkeys. There is a wharf where you can take a canoe trip to visit the old military base