Vietnam National Parks: Essential Guide to the Most Beautiful Parks to Explore

Vietnam, an S-shaped country in the heart of Southeast Asia, is home to remarkable natural wealth. With more than 30 protected national parks covering tropical forests, spectacular karst landscapes, wetlands, and marine ecosystems, Vietnam’s national parks are among the must-see treasures for any traveler seeking nature and adventure.

These protected areas embody Vietnam’s biodiversity, with thousands of animal and plant species, some of them rare or endangered. Each park offers a different experience, whether it be deep jungle, immense caves, or serene lakes surrounded by mountains.

What is a national park in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, a national park is a protected natural area whose purpose is to preserve local habitats, wildlife, and flora while offering visitors environmentally responsible ecotourism routes. These parks cover a wide variety of landscapes: primary forests, mountains, wetlands, marine coastlines, and spectacular karst formations.

Vietnam’s network of national parks has gradually developed since the 1960s and today includes more than 30 recognized nature reserves. Some of them are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites or classified as ASEAN Heritage Parks.

Must-see national parks in Vietnam

Cúc Phương National Park

Cúc Phương National Park stretches across three provinces—Ninh Bình, Hòa Bình, and Thanh Hóa—and captivates visitors with a picture-perfect natural setting whose beauty can sometimes feel mysterious. Considered one of the most famous national parks in Vietnam, it attracts many visitors, especially young people, particularly during the summer season.

Cúc Phương is also the country’s very first nature reserve. Its exceptional forest biodiversity shapes harmonious landscapes and a particularly captivating natural environment. Beyond forest walks, visitors can explore magnificent caves such as Sơn Cung, the Prehistoric Man Cave, or Phò Mã Cave, encounter the cultures of local ethnic minorities, or unleash their artistic imagination through unique photography opportunities.

Finally, for lovers of physical challenges, climbing Mây Bạc Peak is a rewarding adventure and offers insight into the origin of this poetic and original name.

• Location: Cúc Phương National Park is located in Ninh Binh Province, in northern Vietnam, about 120 km south of Hanoi.
• Opening hours: The park is generally open to visitors from early morning until evening, with hours varying by season (often between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. / 10:00 p.m.).
• Entrance fee: The entrance fee is around 60,000 VND for adults, with discounted rates for students and children, and sometimes free entry for very young children.

Cát Bà National Park

Cát Bà National Park is the second national park in Vietnam to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Thanks to its remarkably rich ecosystems and its fresh, green natural scenery, it is a popular destination for summer trips and group outings in nature.

The period from April to October is considered the best time to visit Cát Bà, so it is advisable to plan your stay during these months. On site, visitors can enjoy many outdoor activities: fishing, swimming in the refreshing waters of the beaches, nocturnal wildlife observation, or birdwatching at dawn.

Among all these experiences, trekking and climbing the park’s reliefs to admire exceptional panoramic views are among the most appreciated activities. Several routes are available, such as Ao Ếch – Việt Hải, Mây Bầu – Hospital Cave, Kim Giao – Mé Cồn – Tùng Di, or the Kim Giao Forest – Ngự Lâm Peak, ideal for fully enjoying the scenery and bringing home stunning photos.

• Location: Located in the Cát Bà archipelago, about 60 km from the city of Haiphong, this national park combines mountains, tropical forests, and marine coastal areas.
• Opening hours: The park is accessible throughout the day, with visitor centers often operating from early morning until late afternoon.
• Entrance fee: Entrance is affordable, with tickets around 40,000 VND for adults and discounted rates for children.

Tràm Chim National Park

Although the end of the year is considered the ideal time to visit Tràm Chim National Park in Đồng Tháp Province, it is entirely possible to visit during summer to escape the heat, thanks to its dense vegetation and its lush, refreshing natural environment.

Tràm Chim National Park is especially famous for the red-crowned crane, one of the rarest bird species in the world. From January to June, visitors have the chance to witness the graceful and mesmerizing dances of these majestic cranes—an unforgettable spectacle etched forever in memory.

Ranked among the most important national parks in Vietnam, Tràm Chim is home to more than 147 species of water birds, including 13 globally rare species, particularly the iconic red-crowned crane. Its vast landscapes, typical of the Mekong Delta, alternate between lush forests, peaceful wetlands, and flocks of birds taking flight in a serene atmosphere.

The calm and gentleness that reign at Tràm Chim make it a true haven of peace, ideal for those wishing to escape the hectic pace and concerns of daily life.

• Location: Tràm Chim National Park is located in Tam Nông District, Đồng Tháp Province, in the Mekong Delta.
• Opening hours: The park generally opens from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.
• Entrance fee: Entrance is affordable, around 20,000 VND per person, with options to rent boats or kayaks to explore the wetlands.

Núi Chúa National Park

Núi Chúa National Park is located in the northeast of Ninh Thuận Province, in Ninh Hải District, and covers an area of about 30,000 hectares. For travelers seeking a destination that combines forest and sea, it is an ideal spot for a summer getaway.

Endowed with abundant vegetation, the park is also home to a “hanging lake” with crystal-clear water year-round, as well as a network of streams with consistently cool water. Remarkably, it is even possible to swim in the sea within the national park.

Must-see experiences include visiting Hang Rái, observing the coral reefs of Vĩnh Hy Bay, and climbing Mount Núi Chúa, which rises to 1,000 meters above sea level. Adventure lovers can also choose to camp on site; with a bit of luck, they may witness sea turtles laying their eggs.

Wild, well preserved, and bathed in pure, refreshing air, Núi Chúa National Park offers an exceptional setting where one can stroll in the shade of forests, plunge into crystal-clear waters, and explore steep cliffs as well as natural caves. A true gem for a summer in Vietnam.

• Location: Núi Chúa National Park is located on the northeastern coast of Ninh Thuận Province, near Vĩnh Hy Bay.
• Opening hours: The park’s natural areas are generally open all day for hiking, beaches, and visits.
• Entrance fee: Entrance is very affordable (around 20,000 VND), with variable fees for certain activities such as coral reef observation.

Nam Cát Tiên National Park

Cát Tiên National Park is one of the six biosphere reserves in Vietnam recognized by UNESCO. Nicknamed the “green lung” of the country, it is located just over 150 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. To get there, simply take National Highway 20 to the Tà Lài junction, then turn left and travel another 24 kilometers to reach Nam Cát Tiên.

Thanks to its exceptionally rich fauna and flora, this national park is an ideal destination to enjoy fresh air and a soothing atmosphere while awakening curiosity and a desire for exploration. Comparable to a vast primary forest isolated from the outside world, Nam Cát Tiên is home to many remarkable centuries-old trees and large expanses of lush vegetation, perfect for easing the summer heat.

A summer stay in Nam Cát Tiên leaves no room for boredom: given the park’s immense size, two to three days are needed to discover its main sites. Nam Cát Tiên National Park is one of the rare places in Vietnam that offers an authentic sense of “primeval” nature and incomparable freshness. In addition to exploring the landscapes, visitors can enjoy many activities such as cycling, forest trekking, jeep excursions, camping with on-site tent rental, discovering rocky rapids, or nocturnal wildlife observation.

• Location: Nam Cát Tiên National Park is located in southeastern Vietnam, spanning three provinces—Đồng Nai, Lâm Đồng, and Bình Phước—about 150 km north of Ho Chi Minh City.
• Opening hours: The park is open all day, and visitors can take part in activities from morning until late afternoon.
• Entrance fee: The entrance fee is generally around 40,000 VND for adults and 20,000 VND for children, with additional charges for certain activities or services.

Pù Mát National Park

After starting your journey with Cúc Phương National Park, you have now reached the final stage of this tour through Vietnam’s national parks: Pù Mát National Park, a vast protected forest in Nghệ An Province. Its name may sound less familiar than those of the previously mentioned parks, but a visit reveals landscapes shaped by rich, wild, and deeply captivating flora and fauna.

In the Thai language, the word “Pù” means “summit”; Pù Mát thus refers to the highest point in the region, rising to 1,841 meters above sea level, which gave the national park its name. Few travelers have managed to reach the summit, so adventure and challenge lovers should not miss this unique opportunity.

The park also offers the possibility of spending the night in local villages, sharing daily life with ethnic communities, and discovering regional gastronomy through specialties such as bamboo-cooked sticky rice (cơm lam), banana porridge, “cá mát” fish, grilled chicken, and traditional rice wine known as “rượu cần.”

• Location: Located in Nghệ An Province, Pù Mát National Park occupies a vast mountainous area in north-central Vietnam, near the city of Vinh.
• Opening hours: The park is accessible throughout the day, with activities suited to early-morning or late-afternoon exploration.
• Entrance fee: Entrance fees may vary depending on the areas visited and additional services, but overall access to the park remains affordable.

Conclusion

Vietnam’s national parks offer impressive biodiversity and diverse landscapes that captivate travelers from around the world. Whether you are passionate about hiking, wildlife observation, or simply spectacular natural scenery, these national parks deserve a prominent place in your travel itinerary.