Discover the amazing natural beauty of Cat Tien National Park.

Saigon has entered the hot summer season. These days, I long for a place where I can be alone with nature, immersed in the ancient forest, listening to the rustling of trees and plants. After some research, Cat Tien National Park appeared as the perfect answer to all my desires: close to Ho Chi Minh City, close to nature, and easily accessible. Without much hesitation, I set off the very next morning.

Cat Tien National Park is located in five districts: Tan Phu and Vinh Cuu (Dong Nai province), Cat Tien and Bao Lam (Lam Dong province), and Bu Dang (Binh Phuoc province). It is considered an extremely important biosphere reserve with an area of ​​over 70,000 hectares. To get there, I would have to travel about 150km north, which takes about 4 hours by motorbike.

The best time to visit the park is from December to May. During this period, the forest experiences low rainfall, and the roads are dry and clear. This makes it ideal for activities such as boating, camping, cycling, and trekking. Especially in March, the national park is blanketed in a pristine white carpet of butterflies fluttering throughout the forest.

If you plan to explore Cat Tien between June and November, you should check the weather carefully beforehand. During this period, Cat Tien experiences heavy rainfall, making the roads slippery. Therefore, it's not suitable for outdoor activities like trekking tours.

I stopped at the entrance gate, parked my car, bought a ticket, and took a ferry across the river. Sitting on the ferry, listening to the forest ranger tell stories and ask questions, I suddenly felt incredibly warm and familiar. Once I reached the shore and set foot in the park, I rented a bicycle and began my solo exploration of the forest.

Cycling smoothly along this forest path, I took a deep breath of the clean, fresh forest air. Looking around, I was captivated by the lush green of the dense bushes. The cycling journey was quite smooth because the terrain here is very flat, suitable for everyone. If you're looking for a more challenging experience, the path outside the forest will satisfy that desire.

Cat Tien National Park boasts a diverse primary forest system with over 1,600 plant species, along with towering ancient trees that have stood for hundreds of years. However, the park's unique beauty is highlighted by a rare species: the giant Tung tree. Reaching a height of 20 meters and a diameter of up to 10 meters, the Tung tree is one of the park's most valuable assets. Its immense size makes embracing the tree a challenging feat, requiring more than five people to encircle its trunk.

Furthermore, the enormous tree roots, protruding from the ground like giant pythons, are one of the highlights that attract the attention of any visitor. Exploring deeper into the forest, you will also find a series of other ancient trees such as fig trees and crape myrtle trees... An adventure exploring this place will bring visitors wonderful and constantly surprising experiences.

After visiting the Tung tree, I went to Ben Cu rocky outcrop, the next stop on my journey. During the dry season, the lake dries up, revealing rocks nestled close together, creating unique shapes. This is also an ideal spot for young people to take photos. I took off my shoes, walked barefoot on the rocks, and sat swinging my legs, letting the water gently caress my feet like a massage. It was a magical connection. Throughout my time here, I only dared to walk very softly. Perhaps it was my imagination, but I kept thinking that even a single sound or unintentional action would be disrespectful to the Forest Spirit.

After a journey along winding roads, I stopped at Bau Sau. A picturesque scene unfolded before my eyes – a vast lagoon surrounded by endless lush green trees. Only the gentle breeze blew, carrying fallen leaves that floated on the water's surface, bringing peace and tranquility to the space.

Here, I had the fascinating experience of boating, guided by park rangers, and getting a close-up view of large crocodiles devouring everything in their path. This is a place of wildlife, and each appearance of these animals creates memorable and impressive moments.

Compared to my previous nature exploration destinations, Cat Tien impressed me greatly with its rich ecosystem and preserved pristine wilderness, especially the Bau Sau swamp area. Just one trip back to nature like this each month gives me enough energy to return to my busy daily life.

To visit Cat Tien National Park, tourists should note the following:

- Prepare appropriate and modest clothing, bring water, insect repellent, walking sticks (if needed), and personal hygiene items.

- It's advisable to check the weather before you go and order food in advance from the park rangers to keep yourself energized.

- It's best to go hiking in the forest from November to April, avoiding the rainy season.

Please note that the ferry service has limited time; visitors need to plan their itinerary carefully and accurately to ensure they catch the return ferry.

- It's important to be in good health, rest if you feel tired, and bring plenty of water.

Ha Mai Trinh