Travel cost method (TCM) is employed in this research to estimate the economic value of tourism activities in Can Gio, a district in which Can Gio mangrove forest is located. The sample of 984 visitors at Rung Sac historic war zone was collected in summer of 2016 and adopted for analyses. The results show that total economic welfare from tourism activities is still very low, approximate 37.7 billion VND (~1.7 million USD), in comparision with the potential benefit of tourism in Can Gio. Two critical policy implications, therefore, can be drawn. Firstly, tourism activities associated with forest ecosystems are deficient and ineffective; infrastructure for tourism has not been synchronously invested, and tourism products are not diversified since they are mostly based on natural resources, thereby incapable of attracting tourists. Secondly, tourism potential in Can Gio is tremendous yet has not fully exploited. Therefore, investment in tourism industry in Can Gio seems to be excessively promising. This could bring many economic benefits to the district in particular, and Ho Chi Minh City as a whole. However, protecting the mangrove in Can Gio should be considered along with tourism development since it is far and away one of the main reasons why tourists pay their visit to Can Gio.