Vietnam is on the edge of the tropical climatic zone and there are many well-reserved national parks across the country
Vietnam, one of the most sought-after destinations in Southeast Asia, attracts many visitors to its stunning golden sand beaches and islands, lush mountains, and bustling cities. Especially, it is a given to explore spectacular national parks in Vietnam with a biodiversity of wetland ecosystems, coral reefs, flora and fauna, and animals.
A peaceful boating tour on the river at Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
When you travel to Vietnam, here is a list of top famous national parks that worth wandering for a trip of a lifetime.
1. Cuc Phuong National Park
This gorgeous park is located 120 km to the southwest of Hanoi. This is a large nature reserve, hosting many diverse, abundant animals and plants of Vietnam. Cuc Phuong has many old trees for many years, beautiful birds, etc. that is a great destinations for outdoor picnics.
Best time to visit Cuc Phuong
The most suitable time to visit Cuc Phuong National Park is in the dry season (from December to May). At this time, the weather in the forest is very cool and comfortable.
Especially, when coming to Cuc Phuong National Park in May, butterflies in this forest are fully blooming. There are millions of them racing to show off about the sky, creating a beautiful “butterfly forest” just like in a fairyland!
Getting to Cuc Phuong
By motorbike or self-driving car: From Hanoi, you can travel along Highway 1A to Gian Khau fork (Gia Vien District, 10 km from Ninh Binh City). Then, continue to turn onto Highway 12A passing through Nho Quan town about 2 km. After that, turn left to Cuc Phuong National Park.
By bus: You can go to Giap Bat bus station to take the Nho Quan bus to Cuc Phuong forest. This way will be a little time-consuming but will allow you to enjoy a hand-free trip and also admire scenery along the way.
Best places to see in Cuc Phuong National Park area
1. Con Moong Cave: Outside the cave door, there is a large rock protruding that looks like an animal. Therefore, it was named Con Moong cave (according to the Muong ethnic’s language). This is also the residence of ancient people and an important archaeological site classified as a national monument.
2. Crescent Moon Cave: Deep in the forest and from afar, the cave gate is shaped like a crescent moon. This is a must-visit site when coming to Cuc Phuong.
3. Silver Cloud Peak: At an altitude of 648m, from the top of this place, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the national park along with the famous Hoa Lu ancient capital and Bai Dinh pagoda.
4. Yen Quang Lake – Pho Ma Cave: Pho Ma is a wonderful architectural work of nature created with countless interesting stalactites. Together with Yen Quang lake, these two destinations promise to bring you the best experiences while visiting Cuc Phuong national park.
5. The ancient trees of thousands of years: Cuc Phuong has many ancient trees such as Dang tree (45m high with a diameter of 5m), a thousand year-old Dipterocarpus retusus with perimeter of more than 20 adults hugging, etc. When coming to this one of the most amazing national parks in Vietnam, you cannot miss a chance to admire these trees!
Emerald and clear water at Cuc Phuong National Park
2. Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
Your eco tour to Vietnam will not be complete without a trip to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Phong Nha- Ke Bang is a very familiar place known for many typical tourist spots. There are Phong Nha cave (water cave), Tien Son cave (dry cave), Thien Duong cave, Chay river- Dark cave, Rao Thuong stream- En cave, Mooc spring water ecotourism area, Sinh Ton valley- Thuy Cung cave, etc.
Best time to visit Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
The best time to visit Phong Nha Ke Bang is from April to August. The weather in those months was quite stable. Less rain should be convenient for moving and visiting caves.
Best places to see in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park area
1. Phong Nha Cave: Among the caverns, Phong Nha is truly the most prominent with a length of nearly 8 km. It owns the longest underground river recorded in the world.
You can come down to the motorboat following the Son river to the longest water cave in Southeast Asia. Son river is about 35-40m wide, the water is green and clear in the bottom. You can see the fish are swimming and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the cave. After that, you can enjoy the spectacular karst landscape here, admire the Phong Nha cave’s unique system of underground and petrified rivers. Besides, you can also explore Co Tien & Cung Dinh caves and immerse in the stunning stalactites created by nature over thousands of millennia.
2. Wind Waterfall and Botanical Garden: Wind Waterfall – Botanical Garden is a nature conservation area with its width of over 40ha, located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
It is said that the botanical garden is a miniature version of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. This region will especially bring you the feeling of conquering challenges and venturing through each point of interest. With a total length of tour routes of about 4,000m, the place is an attractive destination for many visitors. Travelers can admire a rare and precious flora as well as fauna species specimens collection, with nearly 500 tree species at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
3. Heaven Cave: This cave splits into many large compartments. The widest place is more than 200 m high and over 100 m high. The stalactites in the cave have images like cultural symbols of regions. They are Buddha Ba, Tien Ong, houses on stilts and terraced fields like the hills and mountains of the Northwest. The emulsion system of Thien Duong Cave is rich and colorful, still being created by droplets from the ceiling.
4. Chay River and Dark Cave: Dark Cave (also known as Son Doong miniature) has a length of 6 km. In the rainy season, the water level is high. There is such a large mud lake with enough essential minerals to help visitors relax as well.
Kayak sailing on the Chay River brings you into a peaceful, romantic flow with turquoise blue watercolor and ancient Karst towers. The two sides of the river are stretches of corn fields creating a charming picture of marine life. Visitors at Quang Binh Cave Festival will enjoy relaxing moments and immersing themselves into nature.
Besides that, you can also try hanging yourself on the zipline system which leads to Dark Cave. After that, jumping down Chay River then enjoy your swimming at Dark Cave.
3. Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien National Park is located in 5 districts of Tan Phu, about 150 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Admission fee is 20,000 VND/ child and 40,000 VND/ adult.
With fresh green space and many interesting sights, Cat Tien National Park will bring you a journey full of memorable experiences.
Best things to do in Cat Tien National Park area
1. Walk through the forest, admire the unique vegetation: Weaving on the path through the forest under the light of a few flaps of sunlight through the canopy, visitors will see firsthand the strange mushrooms, the charming forest flowers, hundreds of medicinal plants, etc.
In addition, you can take a jeep to go through the forest or cycle to green areas of the primeval forest here when seeing this one of the most popular national parks in Vietnam.
2. Photograph butterflies season and the animals in the forest: Cat Tien National Park is also home to hundreds of wildlife and semi-wildlife species, with many names in the Vietnamese Red Book. There are horned rhino, long-legged toad, brooding, python, black, etc. This is also a paradise for more than 350 species of birds and a bear rescue station for tourists to visit, with a ticket price of 40,000 VND/ person.
3. Discover Bau Sau: Bau Sau is an attractive place that is hard to ignore on your Vietnam tour!
Poetic dawn at Bau Sau lake
To reach this site, from the administrative center of the garden, you can take a car with a price of about 500,000 VND/ trip/ 9 km. A car can carry from 4 to 7 people at the same time. Then, you need to walk another 5 km through the forest.
Do you dare sit on a canoe on the quiet lake, surrounded by countless fierce crocodile eyes that are crawling? Don’t worry! You can totally be assured to experience this interesting activity because the crocodile here is very gentle.
Moreover, you can also admire the dance of peacocks, enjoy the cool air of the swamp nestled in the primeval forest, and listen to the birds chirping. Amidst the grandiose scenery that is both majestic and poetic, you will surely have very comfortable moments of relaxation at this park.
4. Admire nocturnality: Cat Tien National Park is the only place in Vietnam for you to witness the natural life of wildlife. In the dry season, around 6:30 pm on moonless nights, the convertible and guide will take you to the vast grasslands. The light of the headlight penetrates the silent darkness of the forest, offering you the foraging scene of animals’ living customs at night.
5. Discover the lifestyle of Ma-Stieng ethnic: The Ma-Stieng ethnic minority community in Ta Lai along Dong Nai River has unique customs and practices, highlighting the cultural value of Cat Tien National Park. You can take a 20-minute ride through the forests, or a 40-minute canoe tour along Dong Nai River to see the beautiful scenery along both sides.
You can also cross the suspension bridge, enjoy the sound of Monkhala and the mountains here, hold a brocade sheet dyed from leaves and exquisite patterns thanks to skillful hands of ethnic people. Discovering the daily life of the indigenous people will tell you many interesting things on your discovery at one of must-visit national parks in Vietnam.
4. Bach Ma National Park
Hue has many beautiful natural landscapes, including Bach Ma National Park. If you are a lover of exploring new roads, challenges and conquering nature, this will be the ideal destination for you!
Best places to see in Bach Ma National Park area
1. Hai Vong Dai: This place is considered the most interesting place to visit Bach Ma National Park. Standing on Hai Vong Dai, you can see and admire the whole beautiful and charming natural landscape of Bach Ma mountain forest. In particular, from here you can see Lang Co beach, Canh Duong sea as one with the blue sky.
2. Do Quyen Waterfall: This waterfall always brings the source of sublimation emotions for every visitor coming here. You will have to go down 689 stone steps to admire this Do Quyen silk strip in Bach Ma National Park.
3. Five Lakes (Ngu Ho): The special name of this place comes from the idea that 5 small lakes combine to form a big stream. These cool streams at Ngu Ho will make you feel like a relaxing place to visit the national park.
5. Cat Ba National Park
Not only is an interesting attraction, Cat Ba National Park is also an ideal place for children to experience and immerse themselves in nature with emerald and long sandy beaches.
Cat Ba Island is located in the south of Ha Long Bay of Quang Ninh province, about 30 km from Hai Phong city center. It has been recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve with a rich and unique creature population, which is very suitable for a family tour to Vietnam.
Best time to visit Cat Ba National Park
The best time to visit Cat Ba National Park is from April to October, since the weather at this time is very nice and pleasant. Also, you can experience exciting climbing activities or explore the diverse natural ecosystems.
Best itineraries to explore Cat Ba National Park
– Long routes in a private time of 4-8 hours with activities such as walking and climbing: Ao Ech – Viet Hai route; Kim Giao – Me Con – Tung Di route; May Bau – Hang Quan Y route.
– Short routes in a time of 2-3 hours for traveling by motorbikes, bicycles, cars or walking and climbing: Kim Giao – Dinh Ngu Lam route; Trung Trang – Ban cave route.
6. Ba Vi National Park
Less than 60 km from the center of Hanoi, Ba Vi is famous as an ideal destination for travelers who love the cool fresh air and the wild, majestic scenery of mountain forests. Standing out among the immense mountain forests, Ba Vi National Park appears with mysterious beauty, magical and fanciful mist.
Best places to see in Ba Vi National Park area
1. Ancient Ba Vi Church: Including old French architectural works, Ba Vi ancient church appears with a magical beauty, full of mystery while hidden in a thick smoke. The ancient and magical beauty of this church is a feature of the national park.
2. Thien Son Suoi Nga: Stepping into the gate of Ba Vi National Park, turning left about 5 km, you will reach this site. This beautiful scenery of Ba Vi is suitable for taking pictures and swimming with many stunning angles of view. The pure white water flowing down from the cliff will bring you a refreshing feeling. Besides, natural beauty of rivers, streams, forests here is extremely majestic and magnificent.
Are you looking for a true paradise? Come to Thien Son Suoi Nga!
3. Cactus Greenhouse: The destination that attracts the most visitors to check in at this park is the only cactus greenhouse. It is built into a cactus paradise full of unique and fancy, attracting every gaze of visitors. This is an interesting and unique stop for young people to take a selfie with more than 1200 species of big cactus and full of thorns. When exploring this one of best national parks in Vietnam, the greenhouse is a must-visit!
4. Thuong Temple: With a path of more than 500 steps in the middle of immense forests, Thuong Temple is a spiritual historical relic built on the top of Tan Vien mountain. Thuong temple relics complex includes 4 main areas: Uncle Ho Temple, Ha Temple, Trung Temple and Thuong Temple. You can feel the ancient beauty of this temple in the cold taste of dew, clouds, wind and forest.
5. Ao Vua Tourist Area: Right at the foot of Tan Vien Mountain, visitors will have the opportunity to visit the Ao King tourist resort – a complex of entertainment and relaxation in the fresh space of Ba Vi. You can participate in many folk games such as throwing darts, sailing, throwing rings, burning campfire as well as other interesting singing and dancing activities. Built and equipped with modern facilities, Ao Vua Ba Vi tourist resort with clear blue water and cool space is an ideal resort for tourists.
7. Tram Chim National Park
Among most amazing national parks in Vietnam, Tram Chim National Park is an attractive tourist destination that anyone coming to Dong Thap cannot miss. With beautiful and peaceful natural scenery and a fresh and airy atmosphere, traveling to Tram Chim National Park will surely bring you wonderful experiences.
Best time to visit Tram Chim National Park
The best time to visit this one of top national parks in Vietnam is from February to March according to annually lunar calendar. At this time, birds will fly back to this park after a long time of winter migration. So, you will have the opportunity to admire them in very large numbers.
In addition, if you want to enjoy the delicious specialty fruits of Dong Thap, you can come here from August to November.
Best things to do in Tram Chim National Park area
1. Take a sightseeing boat: Sightseeing on a canoe is one of the most interesting activities when visiting Tram Chim National Park, which any tourist wishes to experience. Sitting on beautiful small boats floating along calm water at night, you will feel the deepest of peaceful atmosphere here. Also, you will have the opportunity to admire the brilliant lotus petals with fragrant bowl and especially watching the birds flying in the sky.
2. Enjoy local specialties: No matter where we travel, all of us are looking forward to enjoying the specialties there. And in Tram Chim National Park, there are also many delicious dishes waiting for you to try. Some highlights of food at this place are crispy fried fish, crab hotpot, snakehead dry salad, fish hotpot, etc.
8. Phu Quoc National Park
When it comes to Phu Quoc tourism, people often think of romantic beaches, luxurious resorts and modern entertainment areas of international class. However, Phu Quoc attracts more than that. There area so many other places to wander if you come to Phu Quoc pearl island and one of them is Phu Quoc National Park.
Best time to visit Phu Quoc National Park
You should go between February and June each year. This is a season when Phu Quoc has a lot of sunshine and little rain, which is very suitable for trekking activities.
Best things to do in Phu Quoc National Park area
1. Explore diverse ecosystems: According to current statistics in Phu Quoc National Park, there are more than 900 species of plants living along with many other animals as well. Coming here, you will feel like you are so deeply immersed in nature and mountains.
2. Soak in the cool streams: Phu Quoc National Park not only has a diverse and rich ecosystem, but also endowed with nature for its beautiful poetic streams. They are Tranh stream, Da Ban stream, Da Ngon stream, etc. Enjoying the fresh and cool atmosphere , listening to the birds chirping and the sounds of animals calling each other will indeed be an unforgettable experience in your life.
3. Conquer the roof of Phu Quoc: It will be extremely regrettable if you come to this one of most spectacular national parks in Vietnam without conquering Mount Chua. This is a mountain peak of 603 meters above sea level and is still considered the roof of Phu Quoc. To reach the top of Mount Chua, you will have to go through an uneasy journey. However, this will be an unforgettable experience of a lifetime that worth trying!
9. Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Sunrise on a mountain peak in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
This place locates about 130 km to the northwest of Thanh Hoa City, about 150 km from Hanoi, 25 km from Cuc Phuong National Park. It has a connection to the tail of Cuc Phuong National Park by two gray limestone mountain ranges running in parallel. The road to Pu Luong, whether from Hanoi or Thanh Hoa, is very easy to go; despite many passes.
Coming to this one of the most magnificent national parks in Vietnam, you will come to the villages surrounded by terraced fields, lush green forests interspersed with rolling mountains, and cool streams and waterfalls.
Best time to visit Pu Luong Nature Reserve
By the end of June, all terraced fields are in a green shade. According to people here, after about 10 days from the beginning of this month, everything will turn into a brilliant yellow. Therefore, the best time to admire this place is in June.
Flora and fauna of Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Primary forest in Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a type of evergreen tropical evergreen forest. Located not far from Cuc Phuong National Park, Pu Luong has a high similarity in flora and fauna compared to Cuc Phuong.
Monuments and Landscapes of Pu Luong Nature Reserve
At this one of the best national parks in Vietnam, you will see the karst rock system of limestone mountain ecosystem here still preserving many beautiful caves.
The two potential locations of the resort are Son Ba Muoi (Lung Cao commune) and Pu Luong peak of 1,700 m high in Thanh Son commune.
Besides the diversity of natural landscapes, there is a diversity of cultural identities of the Thai community for you to discover as well.
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Hi can you suggest a resort and hikes in Ba Vi? I have done the hime to the french prison and to the top of the mountain. Is there anything else to explore? And is there. Nice play to stay? We live in hanoi and would like to go for one overnight trip.