6 Amazing National Parks in Vietnam

Vietnam’s national parks offer tremendous diversity. The north is rich in staggered rice terraces that shift with the seasons. The center boasts the world’s largest caves and the country’s loudest waterfalls. And the south is home to mangrove forests and exotic wildlife. Here are the top seven Vietnamese national parks and nature reserves you shouldn’t miss.

Ba Be National Park

Ba Be Lake National Park is a beautiful destination in northern Vietnam. It is a subtropical forest that is full of waterfalls and bat caves. The lake itself is peaceful and perfect for boating, swimming, and fishing. You can also enjoy hiking and cycling on the trails and roads that surround the lake. The park is home to the Tay, one of the largest ethnic minority groups in northern Vietnam. They offer authentic homestay experiences in their stilt houses by the lake, which is a great way to immerse yourself in their culture.

Tips for visiting Ba Be

Ba Be is six hours from Hanoi. You can book organized tours through travel companies such as Restour, or arrange your trip independently online. Despite dry and chilly winters, the jungles in Ba Be are lush and beautiful all year round. Occasional storms may disrupt travel plans from July to October.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003, covered 85,754 hectares. With this extension, the site covers a total surface area of 123,326 hectares (a 46 % increase) and shares a boundary with the Hin Namno Nature Reserve in the Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos. Limestone plateaux and tropical forests form the Park’s landscape. It features great geological diversity and offers spectacular phenomena, including a large number of caves and underground rivers. The site harbors a high level of biodiversity and many endemic species. The extension ensures a more coherent ecosystem while providing additional protection to the catchment areas that are of vital importance for the integrity of limestone landscapes.

Tips for visiting Phong Nha-Ke Bang

You’ll need to base yourself in Phong Nha Town to visit the national park, just a few kilometers away. Your hotel can help you arrange tours to several accessible caves, but for larger caves, you’ll need to book in advance. March and April are the best months to visit Phong Nha, as the vegetation beams with vitality after the winter rains. Most of the caves are inaccessible in the rainy season, from October to November.

Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam, which Ho Chi Minh himself consecrated. The park consists of a dense forest of trees that are thousands of years old, prehistoric caves, botanical gardens, and two animal sanctuaries that are worth exploring. The Endangered Primate Rescue Centre is a facility that recovers and rehabilitates primate species that have been illegally captured, whereas the Turtle Conservation Centre runs rescue, conservation, and breeding programs. You can spend your time trekking, bird-watching, and kayaking; or you can book a stay in the stilt houses of the hospitable Muong people.

Tip for visiting Cuc Phuong 

Only two hours from Hanoi and an hour from Ninh Binh, you can easily visit Cuc Phuong within a day or stay in the park longer if you like. Local tour companies in Hanoi offer trips to Cuc Phuong on short notice, and you can find more options on the park’s website. The spring months of April and May bring soaring temperatures but also legions of butterflies — the sight is worth it if you can brave the heat. Otherwise, there isn’t a bad time to visit Cuc Phuong. Expect winter chills in December and January.

Bach Ma National Park

Bach Ma National Park is one of the most attractive eco-tourism destinations of Hue City in Central Vietnam. Established in 1991, Bach Ma National Park lies 1,200 meters above sea level, covers an area of 22,000 hectares, and reaches Bach Ma Mount’s peak at 1,450 meters. Thanks to the high biodiversity and magnificent natural landscapes, Bach Ma National Park promisingly fills travelers with diverse experiences and peaceful moments.

Tip for visiting Bach Ma

Bach Ma National Park is less than two hours drive from Hue, Danang, or Hoi An. You can arrange tailored tours from any of these cities, or book in advance with local agencies such as Restour. The weather in Bach Ma is pleasant from March to September. The mountain’s elevation promises fresh temperatures even when the cities below are simmering. Try to avoid coming in the rainy season, from October to January.

Cat Ba National Park

A large island in the Gulf of Tonkin, Cat Ba’s compelling landscapes and beaches lure more nature lovers each year. Soak up spellbinding views from the mountaintops, or test your legs on the network of trails that wind through the national park. Some of the more challenging hikes take you over the mountain passes to Viet Hai, an isolated village inaccessible by road. If you’re looking for peace, Viet Hai has a small selection of basic homestays. Keep an eye out for curious mammals, such as the White-headed Langur, one of the most endangered primates in the world.

Tip for visiting Cat Ba

Forays into Cat Ba National Park, four hours from Hanoi, are easily organized with a local tour company in Cat Ba or Hanoi. Asia Outdoors offers a range of packages showcasing the national park, from three-hour treks to three-day adventures. September to November are the most comfortable months to visit Cat Ba, despite the risk of storms. May to July is scorching hot, with bright blue skies and deep orange sunsets.

Cat Tien National Park

A treasure trove of activities awaits in Cat Tien. You could easily spend a week or longer here without getting bored. Cat Then is a great option for those who like steamy jungle treks. Multi-day tours will take you deep into the parks to spot endemic wildlife, including bears, crocodiles, bats, snakes, and tropical birds. Don’t miss the chance to take a night safari for encounters with extraordinary insects and colorful reptiles. If you’d rather stay off your feet, you can cycle or motorbike through the park on a network of roads, or take kayaking and boating tours.

Tip for visiting Cat Tien

Cat Tien is about halfway between Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat and can be reached in three to four hours from either city. Both hubs have tour companies that can tailor tours for you. If you decide to travel independently, be sure to book your accommodation in advance. The best time to visit Cat Tien is during the dry season, from December to July. Heavy rain can engulf the park at other times of the year, churning up the ground and making it difficult to get around.