When travel to South of Vietnam, nature lovers should not miss Nam Cat Tien National Park. Nam Cat Tien is renowned as the Southeast region’s “green lung” and is home to hundreds of unique plant and animal species. Now, let’s look at the travel experience of Nam Cat Tien National Park with Paradise Travel from A to Z
Nam Cat Tien National Park: general information
Cat Tien National Park (also known as Nam Cat Tien Tourist Area) is a lush green area with a diversified flora and fauna. This area has been designated as a “World Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO, and hundreds of rare animal species are included in Vietnam’s Red Book.
Cat Tien National Park
Geography of Nam Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien National Park exhibits diverse topography across its three sectors. The Cat Loc sector, located in the western part of the Central Highlands, is characterized by hilly terrain, with peaks reaching 659 meters in elevation. On the other hand, the South Cat Tien and West Cat Tien sectors, positioned in the southern lowlands of Vietnam at the base of the Central Highlands, feature gentle, low hills, with the highest point reaching 372 meters above sea level.
The Dong Nai River, Southern Vietnam’s second-largest river, flows through the national park, serving as the western boundary of the Cat Loc sector and the eastern boundary of the South Cat Tien sector. The northern lowlands of the South Cat Tien sector experience poor drainage, resulting in swamps and lakes that are periodically inundated by the Dong Nai River during seasonal flooding.
Highlights of Nam Cat Tien National Park
• Flora
Step into the forest along a leaf-strewn trail, where sunlight filters through the canopy layers, creating a humid atmosphere filled with the resounding chorus of cicadas. Don’t miss the chance to encounter a 400-year-old conifer and a nearly 300-year-old ‘bang lang’ tree. The forest is also home to other unique trees, including a 3,7-meter-diameter redwood, a fig tree with fasciculate roots that run along streams, providing shade for around 20 people, and a hollow-trunked banyan tree spacious enough to accommodate three individuals. So far, Cat Tien Park has identified and classified 1,610 types of flora, comprising 75 species, 162 families, and 724 branches. Many of these species are listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam.
Flora at Nam Cat Tien National Park
• Fauna
Covering 74,319 hectares, Cat Tien National Park preserves its original terrain with diverse, rare, and endangered animal species. It houses 76 mammals, 320 birds, 74 reptiles, 35 amphibians, 99 fish, and 435 butterfly species, with 32 unconfirmed species. Notable mega fauna includes Javan Rhinos, Asian Elephants, Gaur, Sun Bears, and possibly Banteng and wild Water Buffalo.
When to visit Nam Cat Tien National Park?
Thanks to the delightful moderate climate, you can enjoy and explore this “green lung” from December to May. The weather in Cat Tien National Park will be dry and less rainy at that time, making riding through the forest ideal.
If you want to visit Nam Cat Tien at another time of year, please verify the weather prediction and an appropriate travel itinerary in advance to ensure an enjoyable trip!
How to get Nam Cat Tien National Park?
Cat Tien National Park is a green tourism area that is shared by three neighboring provinces: Dong Nai, Lam Dong, and Binh Phuoc. As the tourism area is only around 150 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City and has a reasonably simple road, it is frequently picked by travelers to explore on weekends.
Moving from Hanoi or the northern provinces to Ho Chi Minh City
Those in the north who want to visit Nam Cat Tien can fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Travel to Nam Cat Tien, one of the most famous National Parks in Vietnam by bus, vehicle, or motorbike from Ho Chi Minh City.
There will be numerous flight alternatives to Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City is accessible via all domestic carriers with a variety of flight times to suit your needs.
| From | To | Type of Fare | Price |
| Hanoi | HCMC | One-way | From 1,320,000 VND* |
| Da Nang | HCMC | One-way | From 920,000 VND* |
*The fare displayed may not be valid at the time of booking. Certain items and services may incur additional fees and taxes from airlines and carriers.
Moving from Ho Chi Minh City to Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai):
Traveling by motorbike
The National Highway 1A route is recommended based on previous motorcycle trips to Cat Tien National Park. When you reach the Dau Giay junction, turn left to access Highway 20 and travel 58 kilometers.
Turn left at the Ta Lai junction at landmark 125 and continue for another 24 kilometers. Then you’ll see the Nam Cat Tien National Park’s entrance gate.
Traveling by cars
Tourists who drive their own automobiles or rent self-driving cars can take the Long Thanh – Dau Giay motorway.
After exiting the motorway, go down motorway 20 and turn left at Ta Lai, as stated above on the route for motorbikes.
Traveling by bus
If you want to visit Cat Tien National Park by bus, there are several reliable bus companies that run routes from Mien Dong Bus Station to Nam Cat Tien, including Mai Linh, Phuong Trang, Kim Hoan, and others.
Prices range from 80,000 to 120,000 VND each trip/person.
Travel experience in Nam Cat Tien National Park for the foot-crazy association
Unique activities not to be missed
Crocodiles at Nam Cat Tien
Discover Bau Sau: The most striking activity at Bau Sau cannot be missed once you arrive. It is to see the native habitat of more than 60 unique freshwater crocodiles firsthand.
- To get to Bau Sau, rent a bicycle or a vehicle and go about 10 kilometers from the forest management board’s headquarters, then walk another 5 kilometers.
- Ticket fee is 140,000 VND per person; Jeep rental is 500,000 VND for each round trip; and bicycle rental is 30,000 VND per hour/car.
Find the Dao Tien Bear Rescue Station: Despite its name, Fairy Island is just a 57-hectare lush forest with a protective fence to protect unique creatures.
Tien Island is home to silver langurs, black-shanked douc langurs, small loris, and yellow-cheeked gibbons. This is also a site where bears who have been injured as a result of unlawful hunting can be cared for.
- Address: Bear and Cat Rescue Station, Cat Tien National Park, Hamlet 4, Nam Cat Tien Commune, Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province.
- Ticket price: Adults: 40,000 VND/person; Children, the elderly: 20,000 VND/person.
Observe wild animals hunting for food at night: If you want to spend the night in the National Park, do not pass up the opportunity to observe wild animals hunting for food at night. This is undoubtedly a “unique” experience in the Cat Tien National Park vacation experience!
Price from: 170,000 VND/person.
Bear rescue center at Nam Cat Tien National Park
Discover the ethnic minorities’ splendor at Ta Lai tourism village: You will be able to observe the daily lives of the Tay, S’tieng, and Ma ethnic groups, learn the technique of brocade weaving, and experience wonderful rustic dishes that will enchant you.
Ta Lai Commune is located in Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province.
Undeniable cuisines when coming to Nam Cat Tien
Water hyacinth soup (Canh lục bình in Vietnamese): Water hyacinth is also known as water hyacinth by many people. People will prepare soup with both stems and blossoms to create a soup that is both sweet and cold.
Nam Cat Tien is a hotpot of river fish and forest veggies, with a highly rich source of seafood and a range of distinctive forest vegetables. As a result, fish hotpot with wild veggies is a cool specialty with orgasmic flavor, satisfying any picky guest.
Wild perch and snakehead fish are the two most popular fish in Nam Cat Tien and are prepared in a variety of ways, including grilled, fried, steamed,… The fish is cooked as soon as it is caught. So it keeps the sweetness of the meat while remaining chewy and tasty.
Notes when exploring Cat Tien National Park
- Outfits: For long-distance travel, choose lightweight, cool, stretchy, and quick-absorbing clothing. To avoid bug bites, wear long clothing. Wearing jeans makes it harder to work out for an extended period of time.
- Trekking shoes: Select shoes that fit your feet well and have good friction, elasticity, and stickiness. You could also add cotton or soft foam padding to reduce foot soreness from excessive movement.
- Sandals or sandals: Bringing them to change will make it easier to walk around while camping.
- Water and food: Bring only enough water, food, and light meals like dry food, instant noodles, or sausages, etc. to lighten the load of carrying large burdens.
- Support equipment: A lightweight backpack and cane will make moving through the forest easier.
- Basic medicines, such as stomach pain relievers, headache medications, fever reducers, insect repellent, antiseptics, and personal bandages, should be brought.
- Cash: There will be no ATMs at the resort, so bring enough cash to keep the party going. You can also pay using MoMo whenever feasible to avoid carrying too much cash.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, the travel experiences of Cat Tien National Park Paradise Travel can help you have a memorable Vietnam tour. Most crucial, remember to plan flights and hotels ahead of time to maintain an uninterrupted itinerary. Have a visit to our Vietnam Travel team to learn more.
