Vietnam is popular, not only for its amazing cuisine, alluring history, and happy local people but also for nature. The country is, in general, a must-see. It has diverse marine life, many species of birds, mammals, insects, and beautiful flora. With breathtaking views from its mountain peaks and many tour options to book, you might not know where to look first. We are here to help. To make it easier for adventurous, outdoor junkies, we have compiled this list. Discover the top national parks in Vietnam, from north to south, with us!
1. Núi Chúa National Park
Núi Chúa National Park is home to the Black Asian Bear. Here, you can also find other interesting animals, from bats to turtles. This park is located on the south-central coast of Vietnam. Some of the turtles even lay eggs here and are protected, as they are on the IUCN Red List. This park is green and hilly, with amazing rock formations and a peak reaching 1039 metres (3408 feet.) Visitors of this area especially love remote beaches that are best explored on a bike. Trekking to the amazingly blue Treo Lake on the top of the mountain is also a popular activity here. December to August is the best time to visit this national park.
Núi Chúa National Park
Address: Thôn Thái An, Ninh Hải District, Ninh Thuan Province
Website: Núi Chúa National Park
Opening hours: Open 24 Hours (daily)
2. Pu Mat National Park
This tropical monsoon park in Vietnam’s north-central coast region is home to friendly ethnic people, the awe-inspiring Kem waterfall (which you can swim in), authentic homestays, and lush, green jungle, that is perfect for trekking. The previously mentioned waterfall has a height of 150 meters and it’s definitely something you shouldn’t miss. There, you can hire a local boat or even try your hand at fishing. When visiting, definitely try Cơm lam, which is rice cooked in bamboo. It is a delicacy that locals and tourists both love. Camping out here is possible, too. If you are into sports, you can go kayaking here as well. If you love the culture, you can check out the nearby Thai ethnic villages and their crafts. If you plan on visiting the national park, it’s best to avoid going during the rainy season, from August to November.
Pu Mat National Park
Address: Con Cuông District, Nghe An
Website: Pu Mat National Park
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)
3. Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park
A good way to get here is to take a flight or a train from Saigon or Hanoi, which is what many people do. Phong Nha Ke Bang in Quang Binh is well-known for the largest cave in the world, Hang Son Doong (Mountain River Cave), which was formed millions of years ago. The easiest way to explore this area is to book a tour that includes a visit to Son Doong Cave, a tasty lunch, kayak cruise, and guide services. The national park also has other, slightly smaller caves, streams, waterfalls, and even a botanic garden! If you want to come to visit, it’s best to do so between April and August to avoid the rainy season.
Phong Nha Cave Exploration - Klook
Duration: 12hrsDuration
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4. Phú Quốc National Park (from USD 23.15)
Phú Quốc is the biggest island in Vietnam. It is just a 50-minute flight away from busy Saigon. The perfect time to visit is from November to March. What can you do on this tropical island? You can discover nature! It is kind of unavoidable since the national park accounts for 86% of the island’s total vegetation! The island is also famous for quaint farms — from honey farms to black pepper farms. An insider tip: if you are staying on Phú Quốc for a longer time, the world’s longest oversea cable car, safari, and amusement park can keep you entertained.
Phu Quoc Nature Discovery Full Day Tour
Duration: 6hrsDuration
5. Cuc Phuong National Park (from USD 125.0)
Visit Vietnam’s first national park, which was established in the 60s. Located in Ninh Bình province, Cuc Phuong National Park is home to many grottoes, caves, lakes, and villages. If you are an animal lover, you can visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre or the Turtle Conservation Centre. In general, the best way to discover what the park has to offer is by booking a guided tour. It will take you to the park’s oldest tree and many other attractions, and the tour package includes an authentic Vietnamese lunch. If you want to explore more, we recommend heading over to the nearby Tràng An site. Did you know that the movie blockbuster Kong: Skull Island, was filmed here? Our favourite months to visit are April and October.
FULL-DAY CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK from HA NOI
Duration: 9 hours 30 minutes
6. Yok Don National Park
The biggest park on our list is located in Đắk Lắk Province. The scope of biodiversity here is amazing, and we must do our part to help protect it. It is home to many large mammals, such as elephants and bulls. It also serves as a home for birds such as giant ibis, cranes, and many more. Visitors can trek, set up tents, visit streams, go to local villages, and even dine with the locals! When you’re in the forest, you might be lucky enough to spot the cheeky monkeys! We also recommend bird watching or snapping a picture of elephants bathing. The best time of the year to visit is from October to April.
Yok Don National Park
Address: Commune, Krông Na, Buôn Đôn, Đắk Lắk
Website: Yok Don National Park
Opening hours: Open 24 hours (daily)
Price: 60,000 VND (2.58 USD)
7. Vu Quang National Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The North Central Coast hides another biodiverse gem — Vu Quang National Park. The unique and endangered deer-like Saola (nicknamed the Asian unicorn), the giant muntjac, and black deer can all be found here. The long mountain range and slopes, along with its rivers and streams make this place perfect for hiking. When you visit, you can spot monkeys, as well. Vu Quang is still quite undiscovered by foreign tourists and is still pristine. We recommend spending a day here to fully take in the scenery at Truong Son mountains. Walk around and take in the smell of flowers while watching the butterflies flying around. The ideal time to visit the park is during the dry season, which is from April to August, because when it rains, it pours in Vu Quang.
Vu Quang National Park
Address: Vũ Quang, Ha Tinh
Website: Vu Quang National Park
Opening hours: Open 24 hours (daily)
8. Cat Tien National Park (from USD 285.0)
With 720 sq km (177915 acres) of tropical and unique habitat, Cat Tien is the first on our list. Although it was massively destroyed during the Vietnam war, its flora and fauna now flourish! Get lost in its magical evergreen or bamboo forests — well, not literally. The best way to experience it all is to join a tour that starts in Saigon and lasts for two days. You might be even lucky enough to spot golden-cheeked gibbons or civets. Endangered pangolins or bears also live here. Visit the Bear and Wildlife Rescue Center to learn more. You can also cycle, kayak, or go trekking! December to May is the best time to visit.
Cat Tien National Park 2–Day Tour
Duration: 2 day
9. Cat Ba National Park (from USD 38.0)
Cat Ba Island and its national park are popular among tourists due to their close proximity to the capital, Hanoi. From the capital, you only need to take a two-hour car ride to get to this UNESCO-protected bay. One of Vietnam’s most popular attractions, and you might have heard about it already, is Halong Bay. Technically, and geologically, this national park and the bay are connected. Apart from the famous boat cruises, you can go trekking here! A six-hour tour takes you to a floating village and Frog Lake. Cat Ba and Halong Bay cover a big area, so you can definitely come back and explore more areas. When you do, we recommend visiting Viet Hai, Trung Trang Cave, and Cat Ba town where you can try some yummy seafood! Our favourite time to visit is from March to May and from September to November.
Cat Ba National Park Trekking Full Day from Cat Ba Island
Duration: 6 hours
10. Bach Ma National Park (from USD 33.0)
With its highest point being 1450 metres (4757 feet) high, this national park is a great place to get some fresh air. Are you visiting the city of Huế, Hội An, or Da Nang? Then you don’t have to go far to visit this park. On the way here you will pass the scenic Hai Van Pass. Within the park itself, there are trekking paths, swimming areas, and amazing views. If you plan on reaching the peak, do note that the trail is quite challenging. If you still want to try it, remember to be prepared and wear good clothes and shoes. Alternatively, you can book a tour and get all the information you need about the park. In one day, visitors can explore the scenic waterfall located here, visit five lakes, and eat a tasty Vietnamese lunch. The best time to go to Bach Ma between January and August. which is the dry season.
Bach Ma National Park one day tour
Duration: 9 hours
Awe-inspiring natural parks in Vietnam
These parks are really a must-see. War, deforestation, illegal hunting, and changes to climate definitely made some damage to these parks, but concerned individuals do their best to help preserve what makes them unique. When you visit them, you’ll be amazed by wetland ecosystems, forests, coral reefs, ancient trees, as well as serene local life in nearby villages. This Southeast Asian country has more than 30 national parks. It seems that in Vietnam, the only concern for the nature-lover is choosing which park to go to first!
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