From the seat of a small motorized boat gliding through lotus-filled canals, travelers can take in vast carpets of blooming water lilies, thick clusters of native sedge, and the lush green canopy of regenerating melaleuca trees.

The park comes alive with the calls and flights of waterbirds, many returning to nest after years of absence.

“This is the first time in a long while we’re seeing white water lilies blooming throughout the canals,” said Dr. Tran Triet, director of the Southeast Asian Crane Conservation Program.

“It’s a sign that the water environment has improved significantly, closer to what the Dong Thap Muoi wetlands once were.”

Covering nearly 7,500 hectares, Tram Chim is one of Vietnam’s most important wetland ecosystems and a Ramsar site.

The park’s core zone has recently seen the successful recovery of nearly 100 hectares of nan kim (Eleocharis), a native sedge critical for soil and water health.

Water levels are being carefully managed, and controlled dry-season burns and pH regulation have helped revitalize both plant and aquatic life.

According to the park’s conservation center, this year’s flood season has brought a noticeable increase in visitors, more than 1,500 over the recent National Day (September 2) holiday alone, exclusive of locals or priority groups.

Revenue exceeded VND310 million (US$11,745), with peak traffic on September 1 causing temporary congestion at key sites.

Beyond its growing appeal to tourists, the floodwaters are also a boon for biodiversity.

Birdwatchers report the return of several rare and migratory species, including black-winged stilts, knob-billed ducks, cotton pygmy goose, and painted stork, many now nesting in the park.

In area A1, which experienced a fire in June 2024, young melaleuca trees nearly two meters tall have already begun to regrow, showing signs of a resilient ecosystem.

Submerged vegetation has also returned, including native aquatic plants once common in the region, such as yellow bladderwort, eastern purple bladderwort, and white water lily.

Dr. Triet emphasizes that the long-term health of the park depends on seasonal water management that mimics natural flood cycles.

“It allows melaleuca roots to grow properly and helps native flora regenerate,” he said.

For travelers seeking a peaceful yet ecologically rich escape, Tram Chim in the flood season offers a rare glimpse into the rhythms of nature, and a reminder of how carefully-managed restoration can bring a landscape back to life.