Top 8 Vietnam National Parks and Recommended Activities

Top 8 Vietnam National Parks and Recommended Activities

Vietnam has 27 national parks, created to preserve biodiversity. Although these parks have no tourist vocation, many activities and visits are organized, to allow you to discover the natural heritage of the country: treks, animal watching, diving, etc.

 Below is the list of the 8 most outstanding national parks of Vietnam.

1. The Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is located in Quang Binh Province in central Vietnam. Created in 2001 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is part of a 4000km2 limestone area, equitably shared between Vietnamese and Laotian territories.
 

Covering a total area of ​​more than 857km2, the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, with its own ecosystem, was created to protect one of the world's largest karst areas. Nicknamed "the kingdom of caves and caves", the park has over 300 systems of natural cavities, stretching over 70km, of which only 20 have been explored until today. Among them: Hang Son Doong, the largest cave in the world discovered in 2009.

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is the perfect destination for nature and adventure lovers. Several activities are proposed: trekking in the jungle, discovering caves and caverns, bathing in underground rivers, bike rides in the countryside, camping, ziplines, meals and nights with locals etc. Learn more about top experiences to do at Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park here.

2. Cat Tien National Park

Cat Tien National Park is located in three provinces of southern Vietnam: Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc. In 2001, the park was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and has been a Ramsar site since 2005 for the importance of its wetlands.

"The park is home to more than 1,610 different plants, 105 mammal species, 351 bird species, 120 reptile and amphibian species, 130 freshwater fish species and several hundred species of butterflies and moths. insects. The park was well known for its small population of Javan Rhinoceros, which was officially declared extinct in 2011. Nevertheless, the park also hosts many other endangered animals such as the Black Gibbon, the Nomascus gabriellae Gibbon. The nebula Panther is also present in the park "- according to wikipedia

Cat Tien National Park is divided into two areas, Cat Loc to the north and Nam Cat Tien to the south, with a total area approaching 72,000 ha2.

Located about 150km from Ho Chi Minh City, this is a good address for a weekend getaway or to end up in nature.

Some activities to do in Cat Tien National Park: hiking in the forest, watching butterflies, insects, birds and animals, crocodile lake cruises, discovering the life of the Ma-Stieng minority, observation of animals in the dark etc.

3. Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park is a nature reserve, located on Cat Ba Island, the largest of the islands in Halong Bay. The park was founded in 1986 and extends over 280km2.

"It is characterized by its subtropical vegetation and is home to aquatic snakes, pythons and geckos. We also see dolphins along the coast. A rare species of endemic monkeys lives there, Trachypithecus poliocephalus, or langur with golden head. It has been protected since 2000. An 18-kilometer walkway is open for tourists "- according to wikipedia.

Cat Ba Island is also the starting point for cruises in Lan Ha Bay. Travelers will be able to combine their cruise with a two-hour hike or more in Cat Ba National Park. Learn more about trekking in Cat Ba National Park in this article.

4. Ba Be National Park

Ba Be National Park is a nature reserve, located 250km north of Hanoi, in the province of Bac Kan. The park was founded in 1992 to protect Ba Be Lake, its shores and evergreen forests.

The Ba Be National Park stretches over 7,610ha and is between 150m and 1098m above sea level. It is home to more than 600 different plant species, 65 mammal species, 214 bird species, 46 reptile and amphibian species and 87 freshwater fish species.

There are trips of 3 days or more offering boat trips on the lake, visits to ethnic villages, discovery of caves and waterfalls etc. It is possible to combine the excursion with the visit of Cao Bang Park, known for the famous waterfalls of Ban Gioc.

5. The Bach Ma National Park

Bach Ma National Park is 40 km from Hue, in the central province of Thua Thien. It was founded in 1991 and covers 37,487ha. From Mount Bach Ma, the highest peak in the park, perched at 1,450m above sea level, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lang Co Bay, Ho Truoi Lake and the surrounding area.

Recognized for the diversity of its fauna and flora, the park is home to more than 2147 different plants, 1493 species of mammals, and 894 species of butterflies and insects.

You will be able, for a day, to practice the following activities: hiking in the forest, visit and bath in lakes and waterfalls, climbing the Mount Bach Ma, visit the Buddhist temples at Mount ...

6. The Con Dao National Park

The Con Dao National Park is located in the Con Dao archipelago, otherwise called Poulo Condore Islands during the French occupation. It is in the province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau in southern Vietnam.

The park was founded in 1993 and covers 15,043ha, including part of the larger island and the surrounding sea.

"It is characterized by a diverse ecosystem. There are many species of corals and especially sea turtles. In 2006, a delegation of UNESCO representatives in Vietnam came to examine the site and concluded that this park deserved the inscription of the natural and cultural heritage of Vietnam. world. The Vietnamese government is preparing the necessary documents for submission to UNESCO shortly. "- according to wikipedia.

On-site activities include: relaxation on beautiful beaches, scuba diving, hiking in the park, sea turtle nesting on Hon Bay Canh Island, boat trip to the archipelago, visit the French prison ...

Recently, it is also possible to travel to Con Dao by speed boat from Soc Trang, a province of the Mekong Delta.

7. The Tram Chim National Park

Tram Chim National Park is located in Tam Nông District, Dong Thap Province, in the Mekong Delta. It is a wetland, home to several very rare bird species, including the Japanese Crane in the Vietnam Red Book, which lists all endangered plant and animal species.

Founded in 1994, Tram Chim National Park covers 7.313ha.

The visit to Tram Chim National Park can be part of a trip to the Mekong Delta: boat trips and bird watching.

8. Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong National Park is located in three provinces in northern Vietnam: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. It was, in 1962, the first national park of Vietnam, and extends on some 222km2.

It is home to 97 mammal species, 300 bird species, 36 reptile species, 17 amphibian species, 11 fish species, 2,000 aquatic plant species, thousands of insect species and many different land types. colors.

"The first traces of human habitation in the Cuc Phuong Forest are from 7,000 to 12,000 years old. Artefacts from this period were found in many of the park's caves, as well as human burials, stone axes, spears made of bone, oyster shell knives, and even tools for grinding "- according to wikipedia.

You can visit the park of Cuc Phuong, to discover centuries-old trees, caves preserving the traces of prehistoric men, the rescue center of endangered primates ... These national parks are the most beautiful destination for Vietnam trekking tours that travelers chose much.