When people think of Vietnam, the first things that spring to mind are usually the fantastic beaches along the coast, the bustling city of Hanoi and the spectacular Halong Bay.
With so many amazing attractions on offer, it’s not surprising that Vietnam is welcoming more and more visitors to its shores each and every year. The rising popularity of the country’s principal sights means that tourists attempting to find authentic and off the beaten path experiences are increasingly turning to Vietnam’s beautiful and pristine national parks. With a stunning array of untouched ecosystems and natural wonders, here are the most beautiful national parks in Vietnam for you to discover and enjoy.
Map of National Parks in Vietnam
12. Vu Quang National Park
This lovely national park has lush vegetation and a diverse range of flora and fauna for you to delight in. A biodiversity hotspot, Vu Quang’s remote location means that the forest is untouched and remains in pristine condition.
Contained within the park are the rolling, picturesque Truong Son Mountains. Covered in verdant forest, the mountains and valleys are home to a range of different animals such as the Giant Muntjac, the Kting Voar and the rare and elusive Saola which is also known as the Asian Unicorn!
11. Bach Ma National Park
Located in one of the wettest parts of the country, the steep Annamite Mountains attract life-giving rain to the area and as a consequence lush vegetation abounds within the park. With a number of different ecosystems and habitats, Bach Ma is great to visit as the landscape changes before your eyes.
Coastal areas slowly change to grassland before gradually transforming into forest-coated mountains that are home to a wide range of birdlife. If nature is what you are after then Bach Ma is the perfect place to visit.
10. Phu Quoc National Park
© Phuongphoto / DreamstimeAn island off of the mainland of Vietnam, over half of Phu Quoc is set aside as a national park and is home to a diverse range of ecosystems and animals. While dugongs happily bob below the surface, scuba divers may want to dive deeper down into the depths of the delta to see the rich life below.
With its crystal clear waters and swarms of tropical fish, Phu Quoc’s marine life is lovely to explore. Whether it is cruising through the park on a motorbike or ambling peacefully along its many paths, the national park has a number of delightful options with which to woo and entice visitors.
9. Bidoup Nui Ba National Park
With stunning panoramas over the surrounding area, make sure to go trekking in the wilds of Bidoup Nui Ba National Park. Up in the mountains, the fresh air and soft breeze only adds to the beauty of the sights before your eyes and you are left with a delightful sense of freedom as you contemplate the untouched scenery all around you.
The park comprises a huge area and the rolling forests that coat the hills and mountains are a beautiful sight to behold. Lang Biang Mountain is one of the principal attractions that draws people to the park as watching the sun go down from its summit is a memorable experience; shades of yellow, red, orange and purple bathe the forests in a golden light as the sun slowly fades behind the horizon.
8. Con Dao National Park
© Viensaigon / DreamstimeContaining both marine and forest protected environments, Con Dao National Park is one of only two such types of park in Vietnam. With lush mangroves, tropical rainforests, stunning coral reefs and pristine beaches; Con Dao has a lot going for it.
In this preserved and protected environment, eco-tourism is very popular and there are a number of environmentally friendly options for visitors to enjoy. Whether it is exploring the park’s waters or traipsing through the untouched forests; travellers are constantly amazed at the lovely scenery and landscapes on show. Off the coast, lucky visitors may be able to spot blue whales, dugongs and turtles happily swimming about.
7. Ba Be National Park
Ba Be National Park has it all. From rivers and waterfalls to caves, mountains and more; the diverse range of ecosystems on show will surely impress any visitor to the park. Interspersed amongst the protruding peaks and plateaus of the mountains are huge lakes that make for tranquil boat trips on their peaceful waters.
Dotted around the lakes are small islands that only add to its charm. Visitors to the park can explore its waterways or hike along the plethora of paths that make their way through its forests; peeking through the trees at the lakes below is an amazing experience as the stunning scenery looks spectacular from up high.
As well as mountaineering up the sides of some of the climbable cliffs, tourists may also want to visit some of the local villages to gain an insight into Vietnamese traditions and cultures.
6. Cat Tien National Park
Not too far from Ho Chi Minh City, this lovely national park is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. With great trekking on offer, the pristine forest canopies are home to a wide variety of primates.
If you are an early riser, an unforgettable experience is to make your way into its forests for the two dawn choruses; first the early morning birdsong and later on the cries of the gibbons that echo amongst the trees. Alone in the wild, viewing them in their natural habitat is a memory that will stay with you forever.
As well as hiking, the park also has great facilities for visitors looking to camp in the area or paddle along some of its waterways. Head to the Cat Tien Bear Rescue Centre to see some amazing animals; the Asian Black Bears and Sun Bears are fascinating creatures to behold.
5. Cuc Phuong National Park
Perfect for people looking to step off the beaten path, Cuc Phuong’s beautiful landscapes and pristine trails make it a great option for adventurous traveler. The scenic views on offer are simply stunning; paddy fields coat the ground while distinctive mounts rise dramatically among them.
The lush and verdant valleys coupled with its rich flora and fauna mean that Cuc Phong is permanently covered in a mosaic of greens and yellows. Home to a whole menagerie of different animals, amphibians, birds and fish, this delightful national park has a wide variety of attractions for visitors to revel in.
As well as the park itself, there are a number of important conservation centers within its boundaries that are critical to the continued survival of pangolins, primates and turtles.
4. Yok Don National Park
The largest nature reserve in the country, Tok Don’s breathtaking scenery and stunning landscapes make it a delightful national park to visit. Home to the endangered Indochinese Tiger, the amazing waterfalls that split off from Serepok River are a lovely sight to behold.
While leopards, bears and over 450 different types of bird are also present in the park, it is primarily known for its elephant population. Visitors can take a memorable elephant-back journey through the lush forests of the park.
3. Cat Ba National Park
Not far from Halong Bay, the park’s beautiful rainforests have a number of trails and paths hidden among the dense overgrowth which are delightful to hike along. The roving valleys and hills form a breathtaking backdrop to the mangroves and waterways that weave their way between them.
Cat Ba National Park’s most famous residents are the critically endangered white-headed Langurs that hide themselves around its forests and valleys. With the primates’ drastic decline in recent years, the pristine and protected premises of the park are crucial to their survival.
2. Pu Mat National Park
This unbelievably beautiful national park attracts millions of visitors every year with the incredible range of natural delights that it is has on offer. The forest-topped mountain peaks rise dramatically beneath the blue sky and form a lovely backdrop to the rivers and cascades down below.
An important conservation area, Pu Mat is home to Ussuri Dholes, Indian elephants and the largest population of northern white-cheeked crested gibbons in the world. Over 2400 different types of plant species are present in the park making it a biodiversity hotspot. With its lovely natural scenery, Pu Mat is one of the best national parks in Vietnam.
1. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Wow. This incredible national park will leave long-lasting memories for any lucky visitor to look back upon. Within the park’s boundaries is the largest cave in the world; unfathomably massive, the cave has entire forests and ecosystems within it. Dating back over 400 million years, this ancient area is fascinating for its geological formations and within some of the caves, stalactites and stalagmites protrude out at various angles.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang has over 300 caves as well as a number of mountains, waterways and different forests on offer. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole of Vietnam, this spectacular national park is a must-see among all of the riches on show in this awe-inspiring country.
You shouldn’t be promoting elephant rides.