Not often visited by travelers, Vietnam's 10 national parks make a relaxing place to spend a few days; almost all offer some kind of accommodation (though sometimes rather basic) so paying a visit isn't that difficult.
National Parks are scattered all over Vietnam, from the far north to the south; the first park was only established in 1962 so the concept of preserving forests is a new one. With deforestation a serious threat to the nation's biodiversity and natural landscapes, the government is planning to set aside more parks in the future.
THE NORTH
Hoang Lien Son Nature Preserve protects the highest mountain in Vietnam, Fansipan, and over 30 square kilometers of forest, southwest of the hill town of Sapa. About a third of the preserve's animal life are endangered, and though tigers are known to live here, they are very rare.
Ba Be Lake, the largest natural lake in Vietnam at 7 kilometers long and up to one kilometer wide, gives this 50,000 hectare National Park its name. Its rarely visited outside the months of July and August (when its popular with Hanoians) so it's a good place to come if you want solitude, and to catch a glimpse of the rare monkeys that live here (though most of them live in the outer areas that are not easily accessible). Visitors can take a boat trip on the lake and stay overnight in a minority village.
In the middle of Ha Long Bay is Cat Ba Island. The 15,000 hectare park designates both islands and coral reefs (some of the most northerly in the world) and can only be accessed by boat or on foot from Cat Ba town. Its an extremely popular place to stay while visiting this World Heritage area.
Cuc Phuong National Park near Ninh Binh was the first national park set up in 1962. It protects the 'dry' Ha Long Bay, an area of limestone hills that are surrounded by rivers and beautiful rice fields. Its an easy day trip from Hanoi, and the birdwatching here is superb. Overnight stays are possible, too.
THE CENTER
Bach Ma National Park is situated 40 kilometers from Hue, and sits on the convergence of the southern tropical forests and the northern subtropical forests. Its incredibly lush and green here and the rainforest harbors 500 species of plants, with nearly 300 species of birds. Its currently being made into an ecotourism destination, and Bao Dai's former villas are being converted into a hotel.
The National Park of Yok Don, in central Vietnam is quite difficult to visit. As one of the largest parks, with 60,000 hectares, its located not far from Buon Me Thuot (40 kilometers away). One whole side of the park borders Cambodia and the Serepok river. The Parks main attraction is the elephants, which can be hired for a trek along the preserve's boundary.
The Hon Mun (Black Island) Ocean Preserve in Nha Trang Bay protects tropical coral reefs from over fishing and the collection of corals and shells. Popular with day trippers, the island is coming under increasing pressure as anchor damage and illegal fishing continues.
THE SOUTH
Cat Tien National Park is 150 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, on Highway 20. Its easily accessible on the way to Dalat, and the park has jungle cats and Javan Rhinoceros protected here (they inhabit areas that are off limits to visitors)
Chu Mom Ray National Park is not open at the moment, though tourist facilities are in the works. Its situated 30 kilometers from Kon Tum, and the 50,000 hectares protect rare monkeys and other wildlife.
Tam Nong Bird Sanctary is located near Cao Lanh in the Mekong Delta, west of My Tho. It has more than 130 species of birds here, and it's the redheaded cranes that draw most visitors. It's best to see these birds in the early morning, as they leave the park, and in the late afternoon, when they return from feeding
National Parks are scattered all over Vietnam, from the far north to the south; the first park was only established in 1962 so the concept of preserving forests is a new one. With deforestation a serious threat to the nation's biodiversity and natural landscapes, the government is planning to set aside more parks in the future.
THE NORTH
Hoang Lien Son Nature Preserve protects the highest mountain in Vietnam, Fansipan, and over 30 square kilometers of forest, southwest of the hill town of Sapa. About a third of the preserve's animal life are endangered, and though tigers are known to live here, they are very rare.
Ba Be Lake, the largest natural lake in Vietnam at 7 kilometers long and up to one kilometer wide, gives this 50,000 hectare National Park its name. Its rarely visited outside the months of July and August (when its popular with Hanoians) so it's a good place to come if you want solitude, and to catch a glimpse of the rare monkeys that live here (though most of them live in the outer areas that are not easily accessible). Visitors can take a boat trip on the lake and stay overnight in a minority village.
In the middle of Ha Long Bay is Cat Ba Island. The 15,000 hectare park designates both islands and coral reefs (some of the most northerly in the world) and can only be accessed by boat or on foot from Cat Ba town. Its an extremely popular place to stay while visiting this World Heritage area.
Cuc Phuong National Park near Ninh Binh was the first national park set up in 1962. It protects the 'dry' Ha Long Bay, an area of limestone hills that are surrounded by rivers and beautiful rice fields. Its an easy day trip from Hanoi, and the birdwatching here is superb. Overnight stays are possible, too.
THE CENTER
Bach Ma National Park is situated 40 kilometers from Hue, and sits on the convergence of the southern tropical forests and the northern subtropical forests. Its incredibly lush and green here and the rainforest harbors 500 species of plants, with nearly 300 species of birds. Its currently being made into an ecotourism destination, and Bao Dai's former villas are being converted into a hotel.
The National Park of Yok Don, in central Vietnam is quite difficult to visit. As one of the largest parks, with 60,000 hectares, its located not far from Buon Me Thuot (40 kilometers away). One whole side of the park borders Cambodia and the Serepok river. The Parks main attraction is the elephants, which can be hired for a trek along the preserve's boundary.
The Hon Mun (Black Island) Ocean Preserve in Nha Trang Bay protects tropical coral reefs from over fishing and the collection of corals and shells. Popular with day trippers, the island is coming under increasing pressure as anchor damage and illegal fishing continues.
THE SOUTH
Cat Tien National Park is 150 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, on Highway 20. Its easily accessible on the way to Dalat, and the park has jungle cats and Javan Rhinoceros protected here (they inhabit areas that are off limits to visitors)
Chu Mom Ray National Park is not open at the moment, though tourist facilities are in the works. Its situated 30 kilometers from Kon Tum, and the 50,000 hectares protect rare monkeys and other wildlife.
Tam Nong Bird Sanctary is located near Cao Lanh in the Mekong Delta, west of My Tho. It has more than 130 species of birds here, and it's the redheaded cranes that draw most visitors. It's best to see these birds in the early morning, as they leave the park, and in the late afternoon, when they return from feeding
