Lòng Tàu River

Long Tau River is a distributary of the Đồng Nai river that runs through Cần Giờ district and feeds into Gành Rái Bay from its eastern branch at 10°40′10″N 106°47′24″E.^[1] It branches out when it reaches Nhơn Trạch district, with the western branch becoming the Đồng Tranh River into Soài Rạp River while the eastern branch is a continuation of the Lòng Tàu.^[2] Due to its complex and windy path, a system of skeletal range light towers are stationed along the river to help ship navigate.^[3] The Phước Khánh Bridge of Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway is currently under construction and will span the river^[4]

Overall, it runs for 75 kilometers from where it splits from the Dong Nai River and continues into Ganh Rai Bay.^[5] It has an average depth of 15 meters, running along the Cần Giờ Mangrove Forest before emptying out into the Ocean.^[6]

As one of the primary waterways between Ho Chi Minh City and the Pacific Ocean, the Long Tau River has played a prominent economic and military role in the region.^[7][6][8] Its strategic location has made it the host of prominent warships and military operations and many times a strategic target for both attack and defense.^[6]

It currently connects to the Cai Mep deepwater port^[9] with a second container port in the works. ^[10] The main route between Ho Chi Minh City and the Cai Mep terminal for vessels and barges is separately known as Long Tau Channel.^[11] As the case with many high-traffic rivers of the Mekong Delta, the banks of Long Tau River are lined with factories.^[12][13]

There have been a number of shipwrecks on record, including the sinking of the Vietsun Integrity cargoship in 2019.^[14]

Aside from a transport-focus waterway, the river also has had villages along its riverbanks, though there have been ongoing plans towards the economic development of the Can Gio communities.^[15] Despite its traffic, it remains a spot for fishermen.^[16]