Nature Parks in Vietnam are well-preserved, beyond quaint, and alluring at the same time. These are all worth seeing when you visit!
Phong Nha-Ke Bang
One of the most impeccable and well-preserved nature parks in Vietnam is Phong Nha-Ke Bang. The nature park is home to the world’s largest caves and is recognized by UNESCO spanning 900 square kilometers.
It is a sought after attraction in Ho Chi Minh highway. The park also shares a border with Laos’ Namno Nature Reserve.
The Phong Nha-Ke Bang is an adventurer’s wonderland, featuring a series of inviting rivers, vivid jungles, and mammoth caves.
Its caves are packed with remarkable karst details and a whole lot more hiding beneath its towering caves.
The place is a perfect haven for caving which has several options depending on your level. Otherwise, you can enjoy other fun activities in the park such as kayaking, cycling, and hiking in the national park.
Cuc Phuong
Considered as one of the oldest nature parks in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong is the most accessible park in the country.
The park is around 100 kilometers from the heart of Hanoi and can be explored on foot, motorbike or bicycle.
Cuc Phuong park is home to abundant greens, millenia-old trees, prehistoric caves, and two animal sanctuaries. It also features an Endangered Primate Rescue Centre which helps rehabilitate primate species that were illegally captured.
On the other hand, it also has a Turtle Conservation Centre that runs, rescues, conserve, and offers a breeding program.
Notable activities in the park are trekking, birdwatching, and kayaking; or book a stay in the stilt houses of the hospitable Muong people.
Bach Ma
Nestled between the imperial city of Hue and the ancient town of Hoi An close to the central part of Vietnam, Bach Ma offers one of the stunning scenes a park can offer.
Dilapidated French villas, overrun by pine forests, peer out through the wilderness as mile-high peaks float in the distance. The park is home to some of the densest and pristine ribbons of a jungle in central Vietnam.
The park has on-going development since the 20th century however, further advancements and progress aren’t guaranteed.
It’s then small collection of French colonial villas have been converted into cozy guesthouses. Bach Ma has enough hiking trails to keep you entertained and expect to be led to rock pools and striking waterfalls.
Cat Ba
The iconic Cát Bà is known for its jungle that shoots upward into magical mist – imitating a Jurassic Park scene.
It is the perfect spot for nature lovers as its landscapes and alluring beaches are consistently stunning all throughout the year.
The park also offers several hiking trails depending on difficulty but arriving at its peaks is equally rewarding. Some of the more challenging hikes take you over the mountain passes to Viet Hai, an isolated village inaccessible by road.
However, if you’re seeking tranquility to be one with nature, Viet Hai offers a small selection of basic Homestays.
Note that when you go hiking on the park’s mountains, make sure to stay alert and keep an eye out for curious mammals, such as the White-headed Langur, one of the most endangered primates in the world.
Cat Tien
The closest national park in the heart of the business capital of Vietnam, Cát Tiên is home to the largest lowland forests found in the country.
It houses several animals such as gibbons, deer and wild boars. Its trails are well-maintained and can be easily completed without the help of a guide and on a bicycle.
Due to its closeness to the busiest cities in the country, the park has an excellent variety of lodging, from campsites to riverside bungalows. This makes the park a best place to run away from the noise of the city and breathe some air.
There are plenty of multi-day tours that will take travelers deep into the parks to spot endemic wildlife, including bears, crocodiles, bats, snakes, and tropical birds.
If you want to have a glimpse of colorful reptiles and nocturnal insects, make sure to add the night safari on your travel itinerary!
