[2] It was established according to decision number 11/2002/QĐ-TTg, dated 14 January 2002, signed by then[clarification needed] Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng.

The park covers approximately 80.53 km2 (30 square miles) with the nearest city being Rạch Giá[clarification needed] U Minh Thuong National Park is widely considered the richest region of the Mekong delta in terms of plant and animal biodiversity.

[2] The park has a rich and varied mammalian population, totaling an impressive 32 species, including hairy-nosed otters.

[7] Officers Humbert Roque Versace and James N. Rowe of the United States Army were captured by the Vietcong during a battle in the U Minh Forest in October 1963.

Versace was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by American Military and Rowe escaped five years later.