Vietnam National Parks
Vietnam National Parks: You can’t visit Vietnam without traveling a little wild. Though its two substation cities are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Moreover, huge green spaces are home to gargantuan caves, dramatic limestone mountains, golden coastlines. Here’s our pick of the best national parks to visit in Vietnam.
Cat Tien National Park
One of the outstanding natural treasures of southern Vietnam. The 72,000-hectare Cat Tien National Park comprises an amazingly biodiverse region on the lowland tropical rainforest. And hiking, mountain biking, and bird-watching here are some of the best in the country.
Moreover, Bear in mind that visitors rarely see the park’s larger animals that live deep in the jungle, but you have a good chance of spotting primates such as pygmy lorises and langurs monkeys. Like most parks on this list, Cat Tien tends to get busy during weekends and public holidays.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Besides, jagged hills shrouded in the rainforest, and mountain rivers coursing. Through impressive ravines, above ground, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang region is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular national parks.
On the other side, head underground for even more proof this area should be part of any Vietnamese itinerary. A fortunate selection of travelers can experience the cathedral-like chambers of Hang Son Doong. One of the world’s largest caves, but more accessible multi-day tours take in other caves in the park, including the vast Hang En, which boasts its beach, for a fraction of the cost.
Cuc Phuong National Park
Established in 1962, this national park, three hours south of Hanoi, is one of Vietnam’s most important protected areas. Though wildlife has suffered a precipitous decline in Vietnam in recent decades. The park’s 222 sq km of primary tropical forest remains home to an amazing variety of animal and plant life.
Phu Quoc National Park
Despite ongoing development to the island, nearly three-quarters of Phu Quoc is forested and the trees and adjoining marine environment enjoy official protection as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Bai Tu Long National Park
The spectacular islands of Bai Tu Long Bay, immediately northeast of Halong Bay, form Bai Tu Long National Park. A protected area that is every bit as beautiful as its glamorous, world-famous neighbor to the south. Despite this, Bai Tu Long manages to fly somewhat under the radar, remaining far quieter, less polluted, and relatively undeveloped by comparison.
“A GOOD TRAVELLER HAS NOT FIXED PLANS AND IS NOT INTENT ON ARRIVING.”
On the other side, As with Halong Bay, the best way to experience the full limestone pinnacle-scattered seascape is on an overnight cruise where passengers can hop off to the sun themselves on one of the island beaches. Take to the calm blue waters in a kayak or simply sit up on deck with a cold beer and watch the sun slip beneath the bay.
Ba Be National Park
Detour off regular Vietnam tourist trail in Ba Be National Park. Located in the far north of the country, it’s an essential destination for adventurous travelers, with towering limestone mountains, plunging valleys, and evergreen forests.
Moreover, Adventure tours like waterfalls, caves, and lakes combine in a landscape. It sustains over 550 different plants and hundreds of different bird and animal species. Explore Ba Be’s natural spectacle by boat or on trekking and mountain-biking excursions, before relaxing and recharging in rustic homestays and village guesthouses of the local Tay ethnic minority.
Bach Ma National Park
A French-era hill station, this national park reaches a peak of 1450m at Bach Ma mountain, only 18km from the coast. The cool climate attracted the French, who built over a hundred villas here.
Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba’s beautiful national park is home to 32 species of mammals. Which including most of the world’s 65 remaining golden-headed langurs, the world’s most endangered primate. There are some good hiking trails here, including the short but strenuous hike to the top of Ngu Lam peak.
Which offers dramatic views over the surrounding jungle, as well as the challenging 9km hiking trail. It spotted through the park to the village of Viet Hai – best done with a guide. Lunch and homestays are available in Viet Hai. Besides the mammals present in the park, the more commonly seen include macaques, deer, civets, and several species of squirrel, including the giant black squirrel. Seventy bird species spotted here, including hawks, hornbills, and cuckoos.
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