Cat Tien National Park (Vietnamese: Vườn quốc gia Cát Tiên, vườn quốc gia means national park) is one of the most diverse ecosystems in Vietnam. Experiencing a “green travel” trip and enjoying fresh natural spaces is an effective method to help us heal and renew ourselves. In addition to adventure tourism activities, visitors to Cat Tien can enjoy trekking, camping, and wildlife viewing. This is one of the tourist destinations near the city, ideal for you and your family to enjoy a holiday or weekend getaway away from the noise.
Table of Contents
General information about Cat Tien National Park
Located 150 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Tien National Park covers more than 70,000 hectares across two provinces: Dong Nai and Lam Dong. Initially, this area was divided into Nam (South) Cat Tien and Tay (West) Cat Tien forests, but the two regions were later merged into a nature reserve.
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve since 2001, Nam Cat Tien National Park is a valuable natural treasure of Vietnam and the whole world. In addition, the Bau Sau wetland in Nam Cat Tien was designated an International Ramsar Site in 2005. In 2012, the Vietnamese Government ranked Cat Tien National Park as a special national monument.
Bau Sau area in Nam Cat Tien
The park is an excellent destination for nature lovers who want to explore the diversity of flora and fauna. About 50% of Cat Tien’s area is green forest, 40% is bamboo forest, and 10% is farmland. Typical animals include: Asian elephant, gaur, sun bear, moon bear, wild buffalo, leopard, clouded leopard, deer…The National Park is also the “home” of more than 300 bird species and 450 butterfly species, accounting for nearly 50% of the species in Vietnam...Among them, 40 species are listed in the world’s Red Book, especially the one-horned rhino.
There is also a bear rescue station on Fairy Island (Vietnamese: đảo Tiên), which houses many rare animals, including yellow-cheeked gibbons, silver langurs, black-shanked douc langurs, and small lorises.
The journey to Nam Cat Tien National Park is not only a trip; it also offers a fresh, quiet atmosphere that contrasts with the hustle and bustle of the city. Under the morning sunlight, you can wander in the fresh forest, listen to birds singing, and immerse yourself in pristine nature.
What is the best time to visit this national park?
Choosing the right time to explore Nam Cat Tien National Park can significantly affect your experience. Between December and May, when the weather is stable and dry, it is the ideal time to enjoy the natural beauty here. With a mild climate, you can cycle through the forest, walk, sightsee, or even camp overnight to enjoy the quiet natural space. In particular, around March, this place will be filled with flocks of butterflies, providing a memorable experience.
If your plans fall between June and November, please check the weather forecast before departure. This will help you avoid unexpected rainy days and enjoy your trip without interruption.
Things to do in Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien is not only a perfect place for wildlife lovers. It’s one of the most attractive cultural and eco-tourism destinations in the Southeast Region, offering a wide range of tours.
Trekking tour
It’s a truly wonderful experience to explore the region. Many tourist agents offer you a short trip, approximately 6km (round trip), to explore the jungle and witness some old & giant trees that have been surviving for a hundred years.
(Source: namcattien)
Trekking through the forest at Cat Tien National Park offers an adventurous journey in the heart of the wild. You will discover many impressive natural landscapes, from trails along winding rivers to waterfalls and pristine forests. This will be a journey that challenges your endurance and gives you a strong feeling of connection with nature.
Throughout the journey, you will have the opportunity to encounter wildlife such as monkeys, antelopes, and rare birds.
Along with rich animals, you can also meet the unique plants of Cat Tien: the giant Tung tree with a lifespan of more than 500 years, the sycamore trees with a giant root system, or trees with a trunk larger than 2 meters.
When trekking in Cat Tien National Park, you should pack all personal items, a tent, a sleeping bag, food, water, and insect repellent. Besides, to ensure smooth and safe travel, you should depart during the day and avoid traveling in the forest at night
Night safari
Discovering nocturnal wildlife at Cat Tien National Park is a fascinating experience. You will enter a completely different world when the sun goes down, and the animals’ nightlife begins. If you would like to participate in this activity, you can contact the Cat Tien Tourist Area Management Board to book tickets.
safari tour in Cat Tien
Experienced guides will take you to places where many animals are active. You can use a flashlight to observe the animals more closely. Samba deer, wild pigs, porcupines, guar, weasels, civet cats, barking deers, mongoose, elephants, rhinoceros… are animals you can encounter on this journey. You will observe how they search for food, build nests, and defend their territory at night.
Gaur in Nam Cat Tien
The gentle steps under the canopy of trees, the clacking of deer searching for food, and the rubbing of weasels on tree branches all create a vivid, magical picture. Most night safari tours run from 19 pm to around 21 pm.
Explore Bau Sau – crocodile lake
Bau Sau (Vietnamese: Bàu Sấu) is one of the most popular tourist sites in Cat Tien National Park. This wetland in the southern part of the national park is home to Siamese crocodiles, a rare species that requires preservation. Siamese crocodiles in Bau Sau average 2.2 to 2.8m in length, with a long body and a clamped snout. Their main food is fish, crabs, birds, and small animals.
Siamese crocodile in Cat Tien National Park
This area is managed by Cat Tien National Park and the Bau Sau ranger station; if you plan to visit, you must register in advance. The 14 km journey from the administrative center to Bau Sau includes 9 km of driving and 5 km of walking through the forest. In the first 9 km, you can use a jeep or bicycle to move, then in the next 5 km, you will explore the beauty of the old forest with ancient trees and exposed roots on foot.
The surface area of Bau Sau Lake exceeds 2,500 hectares during the rainy season, but in the dry season it is only 100-150 hectares. During the day, you can relax on the shore watching crocodiles swim, or use the ranger station’s boating service to visit the lake. Especially at sunset, you can admire the lake’s scenery and take impressive photos.
Take a boat ride along the river
A boat driver will take you along the Dong Nai River, observe the many birdlife activities, or glimpse some wildlife along the riverbanks. To capture these moments, bring along a pair of binoculars or a high-resolution camera.
Kayaking along the river in the morning or late afternoon is also an exciting activity in Cat Tien National Park, attracting many young people. You have the opportunity to experience the boat’s unsteady motion as it moves smoothly across the river surface and to see the forest-edge ecosystem, including vegetation, birds, and wildlife.
Visit animal rescue centers
There are 02 rescue centers in Cat Tien National Park:
1, Dao Tien Rescue Center
The center is located upstream on the Dong Nai River, about 5 minutes by boat from the park headquarters, covering up to 57 hectares. Dao Tien (Vietnamese: Đảo Tiên, English: Fairy Island) is not only a vast jungle but also a sanctuary for rescuing, caring for, and preserving rare animals. Most of the animals assisted at this center were victims of the illegal wildlife trade. This area plays a vital role in protecting these species from extinction and providing a safe natural environment for them to thrive.
Here, you will encounter endangered primates such as golden-cheeked gibbons, black-shanked douc, silvered langur, and pygmy loris; at the same time, learn more about the center’s work.
Entrance ticket cost: 300,000 VND per adult.
2, Cat Tien Bear Rescue Centre:
Many people also know this place as a bear rescue station. Bears injured by illegal hunting will be brought here for treatment, care, and released back into the wild. The staff at the rescue station are always dedicated to creating a cozy environment for the bears, helping them recover and return to the wild in good health.
Not only a home for sun bears and Asian black bears, but the station also operates as a rehabilitation center for leopards, crocodiles, and peafowl. Tourists will see them in their semi-wild environment and learn about the work of volunteers. To visit the bear rescue centre, tourists must contact the office in advance to book a ticket.
Explore about Ta La ethnic culture
At Ta Lai village, you will enter the colorful, diverse world of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities, where people retain their authenticity and simplicity through unique customs and traditions.
An experiential journey in the village offers an opportunity to learn deeply about the unique culture here, from clothing and music to traditional handicrafts. In particular, you can participate in handicraft-making activities, learn how to weave brocade (a traditional craft of the Ma ethnic group), and enjoy traditional dishes.
To get to Ta Lai, you can rent a bicycle for convenience and to save time. Along the way, you will feel close to nature, admire the fresh landscape, and interact directly with local people on the trails.
How to get to Cat Tien National Park?
From Ho Chi Minh City, it takes approximately 3 hours to drive to Nam Cat Tien. There are also two popular ways to get here.
– By local buses: they depart from Eastern Bus Station in Hochiminh. Here are some of our recommendations, including Kim Hoan bus, Manh Hung bus, Be bus…Also, a bus ticket costs around 200,000 VND.
– By car rental service with a driver: this is the best way to travel to Nam Cat Tien for your group or with family members, as the car/bus can come and pick you up from your accommodation in the city. Also, it can stop along the way, or you can use it to visit other places.
Some notes when traveling to Cat Tien National Park
For the trip to the jungle to be the most convenient and safe, you need to note some of the following issues:
- Prepare food and water before going to visit any tourist sites in the forest
- Topical insect repellent.
- Should wear trousers and closed shirts, strong shoes, and leech socks…and choose a dark color so that birds and wild animals don’t run away.
- Bring a sun hat, raincoat, and flashlight
Warmest Greetings To All from Viet Dream Travel! We offer a complete package to visit Nam Cat Tien for 2-days 1-night or 3-day 2-night trekking tour to this national park. So do not hesitate to contact us at:
Office number: (028) 3838 8322 – Hotline/SMS/Whatsapp/Viber/Zalo – (+84) 918 709 338
Best regards,
