4 National Parks in Vietnam You Must Visit at Least Once in Your Lifetime

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

Vietnam's natural landscapes are equally majestic and pristine as those of any other country. Surely, none of us are unaware of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, with its proud Son Doong Cave – the world's largest cave.

If you can't explore Son Doong Cave due to physical fitness and financial constraints, then try your hand at the Tu Lan cave system. You'll find that what you've seen on the internet... is nothing compared to the scenery you witness in real life. I was truly overwhelmed and almost couldn't believe my eyes at what nature has created here.

For environmental reasons, visiting Tu Lan requires going through a professional tour company. I was picked up from Phong Nha town and taken to the company's headquarters in Tan Hoa village, where I began the most unforgettable two-day journey of my life. Crossing the gently flowing Rao Nan River, I was greeted by a vast forest of rocky mountains. I don't remember how many high mountains I crossed, how many rock crevices I clung to, or how many steep slopes I climbed, but standing before Ken Cave, Ton Cave, and Tu Lan Cave, I felt that all the fatigue was nothing compared to what I witnessed. It was a feeling of being so small amidst the vastness of nature, an entire complex of caves, dating back 3-5 million years, standing proudly before me, with stalactites and stalagmites shaped into fascinating forms by millions of years of erosion. I was truly moved to see the tiny green plants growing inside the caves, their leaves leaning towards the sunlight. I couldn't imagine such a masterpiece could exist in the mountains and forests.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is currently being strictly protected, and I am very grateful to the people who work day and night to protect nature and preserve this rare pristine state. If you are in Vietnam, don't hesitate to book your tickets and visit Phong Nha - Ke Bang. This is truly an experience worth every penny and you should experience it at least once in your life.

Nui Chua National Park

Nui Chua National Park is located in the Ninh Hai and Thuan Bac districts of Ninh Thuan province, covering an area of ​​29,865 hectares, including 22,513 hectares of land and 7,352 hectares of sea. Rarely is there a place like Nui Chua National Park, which boasts both majestic mountains and pristine white sand beaches with clear blue waters. Nui Chua has an extremely rich ecosystem with over 1,500 plant species, 330 terrestrial vertebrate species, 84 mammal species, 163 bird species, and approximately 350 coral species.

Mount Chua has many interesting things waiting for you to discover. You can visit Hang Rai with its strangely shaped rocks that create beautiful caves of various sizes; take a boat trip to the breezy Vinh Hy Bay; visit the vineyards, enjoy sweet grapes and a glass of sparkling wine. But to explore the majestic and lush Mount Chua, you should go trekking through the forest down to the sea. Crossing through verdant trees, the sea and mountains stretch out in the distance. Occasionally, you'll see towering rocks standing proudly against the sky. The forest embracing these rocks makes the scenery both majestic and poetic. Along the way, you'll also see sheer cliffs with many unique shapes rising above the deep blue sea.

After traversing the lush green forest, you'll arrive at a beach with fine sand and clear blue water, curving along the mountain slope like Binh Tien Beach. On one side are towering, moss-covered cliffs, and on the other, the horizon, a deep blue, dotted with colorful boats. In the evening, you can camp right on the beach to witness the first rays of sunrise the next morning – when the sun, like a crimson sphere, rises from the sea. If you visit during the turtle nesting season, you'll even have the chance to witness this fascinating event firsthand.

Exploring Nui Chua, you will discover both the beauty of nature and the hospitality of the local people. You will understand why this land, with its scorching sun and dry winds, is known as a precious gem brimming with vibrant life, golden sunshine, blue sea, and lush green nature.

Cat Tien National Park

Recognized by UNESCO as a "World Biosphere Reserve," Cat Tien National Park plays a crucial role in protecting one of the largest tropical rainforest areas in Vietnam and is home to many rare flora and fauna, promising unforgettable experiences for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Located across five districts: Tan Phu, Vinh Cuu (Dong Nai), Cat Tien, Bao Lam (Lam Dong), and Bu Dang (Binh Phuoc), 150 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Tien National Park was established by connecting the South Cat Tien forest and the West Cat Tien Nature Reserve. Approximately 50% of Cat Tien's area is evergreen forest, 40% is bamboo forest, and 10% is farmland. Characteristic animals include: Asian elephants, gaur, sun bears, Malayan bears, wild buffalo, tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, deer, etc. Cat Tien is home to 40 species listed in the World Red List, most notably the one-horned rhinoceros. In addition to its rich animal life, Cat Tien is also home to 62 species of orchids.

In Cat Tien National Park, trekking through the forest is a popular activity for many tourists – with long trekking routes lined with giant ancient trees with sprawling root systems, and a rich ecosystem of animals such as spiders, snails, birds, and butterflies, creating a fairytale-like scene. Guides can be hired if you want to explore deeper into the forest for a more adventurous experience. Additionally, taking a boat trip and watching the sunset on Bau Sau Lake – home to crocodiles and many other rare plant and animal species – is also a wonderful experience. At night, when animals forage and live, you'll have the chance to see Sambar deer, porcupines, Tibetan antelopes, and civets up close.

Some must-see attractions in Cat Tien National Park include: Bau Sau Lake (also known as Crocodile Lake); Ben Cu Waterfall - during the rainy season, the waterfall is covered in a breathtaking white sheet; and Ta Lai village - home to the Ma, Stieng, and Tay ethnic groups for generations.

Cuc Phuong National Park

Located 120 km south of Hanoi, nestled deep within the Tam Diep mountain range, Cuc Phuong National Park has become a famous and attractive ecotourism destination for both domestic and international tourists. It is also the first national park in Vietnam.

Located within the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa, with a total area of ​​22,408 hectares, Cuc Phuong National Park possesses many valuable natural landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and cultural and historical values. Numerous endangered plant and animal species have been discovered and conserved here, most notably the black and white langur, considered the symbol of Cuc Phuong forest. Notably, Cuc Phuong National Park is also an archaeological site. Prehistoric artifacts dating back approximately 12,000 years have been discovered in several caves, including tombs, stone axes, stone arrowheads, shell knives, and grinding tools. To explore traces of prehistoric habitation, visitors can visit the Cave of Ancient People or Con Moong Cave.

Silver Cloud Peak is also a popular tourist attraction in Cuc Phuong National Park. The peak is 648 meters high, offering panoramic views of the entire National Park, along with the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and Bai Dinh Pagoda. However, the path to Silver Cloud Peak is quite steep and rocky, making it suitable only for those in good physical condition.

In addition, some other popular attractions in Cuc Phuong National Park include: Crescent Moon Cave, Pho Ma Cave, the Primate Rescue Center, and the Muong village…

What should you prepare for when exploring a national park?

1. Gather information and make a choice.

In Vietnam, as in every country, there are many national parks with diverse terrains and landscapes. First, determine your needs. Are you traveling alone, with family, or with friends? Will you be hiking, trekking, camping overnight, or having a day picnic?

After choosing which national park you will visit, research information about the destination such as the weather and whether roads will be closed during that time. If the park has museums or exhibition areas, you need to check the opening and closing times to avoid being unable to visit them upon your arrival.

2. Prepare your supplies for the trip.

Pack enough, but don't overpack. You only need a lightweight backpack, 1-2 bottles of water, a few energy bars, and a light jacket if you're going for a day trip. Some essential items include: a light jacket, raincoat, wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, socks, gloves, scarf, sunglasses, camera, power bank, swimwear (if your destination has streams or the beach)... Keep your identification documents in a waterproof zip-lock bag.

If you're going on a long trip and camping, you'll need to prepare extra items like a tent, warm blankets, a cooler to keep food fresh, disposable bowls, chopsticks, spoons, forks, knives, hand sanitizer, and tissues. Bring some medications such as cold and flu medicine, cough medicine, fever reducers, digestive aids, bandages, insect repellent, and massage cream if you're going for an extended period.

3. Choose the right shoes.

No single pair of shoes is suitable for all terrains, so depending on the terrain and nature of the national park you're visiting, bring one or two pairs of appropriate and comfortable shoes.

Regular athletic shoes are suitable for walking on flat, non-slip surfaces, not for wading through water or climbing.

Hiking shoes are suitable for day trips and trails that are not too difficult, with gentle slopes, few boulders, and lengths under 15 km. Waterproof hiking shoes are recommended.

Trekking boots are suitable for multi-day mountain climbing, have a high ankle collar, offer excellent grip, have very thick soles, and are designed to be worn on terrain with gravel, pebbles, large rocks, or in areas with snow or heavy rain.

Additionally, you should wear close-fitting socks to keep your feet warm and prevent sand and pebbles from getting into your shoes.

4. Understand the safety regulations.

Please read the safety instructions carefully before exploring the park and consult with safety personnel to ensure your safety. Note and follow these basic rules: do not stand too close to rocks, do not attempt to climb over fences, check the tide (if at the beach), do not feed wild animals, and pay close attention to warning signs such as those indicating the presence of snakes or bears.

5. Respect the place you are from.

Some parks have very fragile ecosystems that require strict protection. These places often have dedicated pathways and signage to protect the vegetation. In addition, please protect nature by not littering, not taking rocks from the forest home, not smoking in national parks during the dry season, not disturbing animals, and cleaning up your trash.

Tran Hong Ngoc, Lan Oanh