The natural reserves in Vietnam are incredibly diverse from the north to the south despite the population density. Across the country, there will be an ideal place for people who want to escape the crowd and immerse themselves in Mother Nature. All you need to do is note down these top five national parks in Vietnam listed below to your itinerary.
1/ Cuc Phuong National Park
Being the first and oldest national park in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong National Park confidently reserves wildlife heritage with magnificent scenery. Thus, the place is also home to many organisms including endangered langurs, Asiatic black bears, Brown Hawk Owls, White-Winged Blue Magpies, and hornbills. The most beautiful time to visit Cuc Phuong National Park is around April and May because the weather is quite favorable. Thus, at this time, this is also the butterfly season which allows you to freely explore the diversity of flora and fauna. The special thing that distinguishes Cuc Phuong from other national parks is that people can explore by foot, motorbike and cycle.
- Distance: 120 km to the southwest of Hanoi by car or motorbike.
2/ Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
Recognized as a world natural heritage by UNESCO in 2003, Phong Nha – Ke Bang’s landscape combines limestone plateaux and tropical forests. The place is home to some remarkable wonders, such as a significant number of caves and underground rivers, as well as tremendous geological diversity. Especially at Phong Nha – Ke Bang, you can tour from afternoon excursions to four-day adventures and try various activities like trekking, cycling, kayaking, etc. The ideal time to visit Phong Nha is between March and April when nature is at its most alive after the rainy season. However, most caverns are closed from October to November during the annual rainfall.
- Distance: Nearly 500km from Hanoi and the most convenient travels are 9-hour bus and 3-hour flight.
3/ Nam Cat Tien National Park
If you are a jungle trekking Holic, Nam Cat Tien National Park is an undeniable option for you. Located in the southeast of Vietnam, the tropical forest will take you to the close approach of unique animals, such as bears, crocodiles, tropical birds, etc., or go on a night safari to see unusual insects and vibrant reptiles. The ideal time to come to Cat Tien is during the dry season from December to July since the rest of the year in the place may rain heavily.
- Distance: Over 163 km away from Ho Chi Minh City and can travel by private vehicle, bus, or motorbike.
4/ Con Dao National Park
Con Dao National Park is proof of Vietnam’s pristine and natural beauty since the white sand beaches, greenery mangroves, unspoiled coral reefs, and tropical rainforests can be found. Furthermore, visitors are able to explore the 15 locations of still-operational jails, torture chambers, and ruins, which were formerly known for their French prisons and dark history. To fully enjoy the island, you can go hiking, mountain climbing, exploring the area’s magnificent beaches or snorkeling for someone who wants to explore the sea’s vibrant coral reefs. The dry season from November to February will be the ideal time to visit Con Dao Islands. However, the best time to visit Hon Bay Canh Island if you want to watch turtles breeding is between June and September.
- Distance: 230 km away from Ho Chi Minh City and common trips are 1-hour flight and 5-hour ferry
5/ Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba National Park is one of the hot destinations for nature lovers when traveling to Vietnam. If you want to enjoy the whole picture of the island, challenge yourself to hike along long hiking trails from a 2-hour to a-day trip. Furthermore, at the national park, you can also see most of the world’s 65 remaining golden-headed langurs, the world’s most endangered primate. The vast visitors to Cat Ba National Park come to take in the gorgeous scenery that Halong Bay is known for. Despite the possibility of storms, September to November are the most pleasant months to visit Cat Ba. It is extremely hot from May through July but the sky has a clear blue color and fiery sunsets.
- Distance: 105 km by road plus 40 km by sea from Hanoi and the easiest way to travel to Cat Ba is taking a joint bus and ferry.
Besides exploring the chaotic Vietnamese metropolis, the country’s nature brings its peace and charisma. Whether you are in any area of Vietnam, let’s try to discover the majestic landscapes and be surprised by them. There are numerous activities waiting for you to come and discover another aspect of Vietnam. As the most confident affirmation, they will be fantastic and memorable if you have good information and itinerary.
