Nui Cam (Forbidden Mountain / Thien Cam Son / Bảy Núi)

710 m (2,329ft)

Nui Cam/ Cam Mountain is made up of five peaks: Vo Thien Tue, Vo Bo Hong, Ong Buom, Vo Dau, and Ba.

There are many trails on Nui Cam. The highest peak is Vo Bo Hong, and the main thing that people come to see is a Giant Buddha on the mountain. The trail that goes past Giant Buddha, to the top of Vo Bo Hong Peak, and back to the town is a 14km (8.7 mi) roundtrip. It takes between 4 and 6 hours depending on your pace.

The first 8km (4.9  mi) of the hike follows a paved road (and sometimes a dirt road). This section can be driven or hiked.

The last 6km (3.7 mi) of the trail to the top of Vo Bo Hong and the way back down is rough. The terrain up this part of the trail is tough. There are many streams to cross. The terrain consists of thick vegetation and trees. The trail is very clear most of the way and even laid with bricks near the pagodas.

On the road part of the trail, you will see many shrines, pagodas, and towers. You will also see Thuy Liem Lake- which is actually a reservoir.

You will see the Great Buddha Pagoda almost halfway through the hike, and at the highest point, there is an unobstructed view of the other peak and town below.

The trail is a loop, so you usually do not go back the same way you came, but it is possible if desired.

The weather in this area is relatively stable year-round, staying quite hot and humid for most months. There are, however, a few months that are slightly colder and a few that are slightly hotter.

The slightly hotter months are from mid-March to late May, with the daily highs averaging above 33.8°C (92.84 °F). The hottest month of the year is April.

The slightly colder months are from late September to late January, with the daily highs averaging below 31°C (87.8 °F). The coldest month of the year is December, with average lows at around 22°C (71.6°F).

For the rest of the year, the temperatures stay very constant; between 22°C and 35°C (71.6°F and 95°F).

The is a distinct rainy season from May to October, with an average of about 17 days of rain each month. The drier season is from November to April, with a much lower average of about 4 days of rain each month.

Proper hiking boots are recommended. Hiking poles may be of help but are not a necessity.

There is a place to rest at Thuy Liem cavern and Vo Bach Tuong (a big elephant-shaped rock), and many places near the statues where you can rest. There are one or two coffee shops in the general vicinity of the trail where one could buy water or snacks and a few streams, however, it would depend on which exact route you take whether you can count on them for supplies. It is recommended that you take enough food and sufficient water for the whole journey.

The first 8km (4.97 mi) of the trail is a very well-groomed road, so guides are not needed. But if you do the second stretch where the trail goes into the bush, make sure to plot your route before leaving, or consider finding a guide or a local to show you the way to the summit of Vo Bo Hong Peak.

Nui Cam is in Southwestern Vietnam in An Hao Commune, Tinh Bien District, An Giang Province. This is about a 1-2 hour drive from Long Xuyen, the capital city of An Giang province.

The most direct route to the base of the mountain is from Can Tho International Airport. It is a 3.5-hour drive from the airport to Nui Cam along the QL91 road.

There are no specific safety concerns for this trail, but the last section of the route can be tricky, so be sure to understand the route before starting otherwise it is easy to get lost.