Vietnam is not only famous for its beautiful beaches ranked as world island destinations, but Vietnam’s national park system is also an impressive factor for many international tourists. Recently, the travel review and consulting site The Culture Trip based in London (UK) has listed the 10 most beautiful national parks in Vietnam to introduce to world readers.
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Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
This is perhaps the most beautiful and best preserved natural area in Vietnam. Located in Quang Binh province, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park owns some of the largest caves in the world. The national park borders the Hin Namno Nature Reserve in Laos, has an area of nearly 900km² and is often a stop on the Ho Chi Minh route.
The giant limestone mountains like towers reaching into the sky contain hundreds of meters of underground mazes inside. The flora and fauna are rich, but it is the extensive karst cave system that has helped Phong Nha-Ke Bang be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Phu Quoc National Park
A hidden gem in the northwest corner of the famous Phu Quoc island, Phu Quoc National Park is home to more than 1,000 species of plants and 200 species of animals. Phu Quoc National Park is a complex of rare old-growth forests and has dipterocarp trees over 30m high. You can easily hike and camp in the park from Ganh Dau village.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Chua mount peak – the “roof” of Phu Quoc with an altitude of 565m on the Ham Ninh mountain range. Standing here, visitors can take in the view of the green of the forest, the blue of the sea, and the sky.
Chua Mount National Park
Nui Mount National Park is located in Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province, bordering Khanh Hoa province. Located on the eastern edge of the Truong Son mountain range, Chua Mount National Park overlooks one of the cleanest and best-preserved stretches of coastline on the East Sea.
The area is surrounded by one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the country. In the semi-arid park, bears and primates roam the hillsides, bats and birds soar in the sky. The coastline is of particular importance as it is the nesting ground for several endangered turtle species.
Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien is the closest national park to Ho Chi Minh City and is a rare gem. Spanning over three provinces of Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc with over 80,000ha surrounded by 90km of the Dong Nai River, Cat Tien National Park contains valuable biodiversity resources, home to gibbons, deer and wild boars.
Cat Tien National Park still preserves extensive natural trails, so visitors can explore the forest without a guide. A variety of great places to stay, from campsites to riverside bungalows, make Cat Tien National Park an ideal place to get close to nature, away from the noisy urban of Saigon.
Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba National Park is a special-use forest of Vietnam, a world biosphere reserve. Cat Ba National Park is located in Cat Hai district, Hai Phong. Cat Ba National Park is a worthy stop on any trip to the north. Much of Cat Ba National Park resembles a Jurassic Park, with old-growth forests shrouded in mist.
Cat Ba National Park has some beautiful trails of moderate difficulty for those who love trekking. Cat Ba is also home to most of the world’s remaining white-headed langurs.
Ba Be National Park
Located in Bac Kan province, Ba Be National Park is home to many ethnic minorities, including the Tay, Dao and Hmong. Coming to Ba Be National Park, visitors not only enjoy nature but also have the opportunity to experience life in traditional homestays.
Ba Be National Park is made up of towering limestone mountains that create white waterfalls before settling into Ba Be Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. Trekking through the national park is an exciting experience. Visitors can also take a boat to explore the hidden limestone caves along the water’s edge.
Yok Don National Park
Yok Don National Park is located in Dak Nong and Dak Lak provinces. The forest is mainly natural forest and dipterocarp forest, and this is the only protected dipterocarp forest in Vietnam. As the largest special-use forest in Vietnam, Yok Don is also home to some of the last remaining wild elephants and leopards in the country.
In recent years, poaching and illegal logging have reduced the populations of these species, making it difficult for visitors to see them. However, the park remains untouched and has very few foreign visitors. Guided day and overnight treks through the dry forests are a great way to see wildlife.
Cuc Phuong National Park
Located in Ninh Binh, Cuc Phuong is one of the most accessible national parks in Vietnam, just over 100km from Hanoi. You can explore Cuc Phuong National Park on foot, motorbike or bicycle and it is best done over two or three days.
Ethnic minority villages are scattered across the land and can be visited on a number of guided tours. The park is also home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including several endangered turtle species.
Con Dao National Park
Con Dao National Park is part of the Con Dao archipelago, located 83km from the mouth of the Hau River (Can Tho province), 185km from Vung Tau city and 250km from Ho Chi Minh City. The archipelago consists of 16 small islands, the largest of which is Con Son.
The national park is located on the main island of Con Son, and includes some of the most pristine coral reefs and white-sand beaches in the country. Endangered sea turtles nest along the coast. The Con Dao National Park area is also home to the rare dugong, an endangered marine mammal listed in the Vietnam Red Book.
Bach Ma National Park
About 40 km from Hue city, Bach Ma National Park is the only strip of primeval forest in Vietnam that spans the country from the East Sea to the Vietnam-Laos border. This national park still has traces of ruined French villas hidden in the pine forest, along the trails, vestiges of a golden age and is famous as Sa Pa, Tam Dao, Da Lat of the central region.
Bach Ma Mountain nestles next to the Truong Son mountain range, looking like a white horse stretching its legs towards the vast sea. This area gathers many rare tropical animals and plants in the vast primeval forest with spectacular streams and waterfalls.
Tips before trekking to national parks:
- Prepare your physical strength before the trip: exercise regularly before trekking.
- Choose the right clothes and equipment: climbing shoes: non-slip, good foot-hugging, high collar to protect the ankles; Clothes: light, breathable, waterproof; should be worn in layers to easily adjust to the temperature; Backpack: choose a light type, with support straps at the hips and chest; Headlamp, hiking pole, raincoat, multi-purpose knife, personal first aid kit, thermal pad if climbing high mountains…
- Bring enough water and food: Drink water regularly in small sips to avoid dehydration. Bring energy-rich foods: protein bars, nuts, chocolate, bread, dried sausages…
- Check the weather: Always check the weather forecast before trekking. Avoid climbing if there is a storm warning, heavy rain, or dense fog.
- Go in groups and communicate your itinerary: trekking in groups is safer, and you can help each other if needed.
- Basic Orienteering Skills: learn to read a topographic map and use a compass or GPS. Memorize prominent natural landmarks along the way.
Source: collected by An
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