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Nestled in southern Vietnam, Cat Tien National Park is a lush green land where untamed nature and wildlife await. Home to rare animals, ancient trees, and pristine rivers, it offers a unique escape just a few hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Whether you're into trekking, wildlife watching, or cultural exploration, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve promises an unforgettable adventure.
In the 1970s, Cat Tien Park was divided into two regions: the South area and the West area. Later, the Prime Minister decided to merge these two regions into one. Currently, Cat Tien is a sub-equatorial tropical forest located in two provinces: Lam Dong and Dong Nai. This national park is considered an extremely important biosphere reserve, covering more than 70,000 hectares and home to hundreds of rare animal species listed in the Vietnam Red Book.
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1. Interesting things to do in Cat Tien National Park
Bau Sau Wetland
Bau Sau is one of the famous destinations that many tourists love to visit in Cat Tien National Park. It is home to many large and wild crocodiles and alligators. If you have time, you can walk from the Forest Headquarters to Bau Sau Wetland. Or you can cycle, then continue walking 5km from the trails into the jungle (this method is mostly chosen by international tourists).
Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Center
Dao Tien, roled as rescue and rehabilitation center in Cat Tien National Park, is surrounded by protective fences. Established in 2008 through a collaboration between Monkey World (UK) and Vietnamese authorities, the center focuses on rescuing primates from the illegal wildlife trade. This is a place to preserve rare animals along with an entire system of primeval forests and the bear rescue station is where injured bears are brought for care and treatment. It also provides inhabitats for rare species such as golden-cheeked gibbons, douc langurs. Therefore, Dao Tien is a hotspot for animal lovers.
Explore the night life of wild animals
One of the very interesting activities when coming to Cat Tien National Park is to explore the nightlife of animals. This guided night safari allows visitors to observe nocturnal wildlife in their natural habitat. Riding in an open vehicle with spotlights, guests may catch glimpses of deer, porcupines, civets, and other night-active species. The tour offers a rare opportunity to discover the sounds, sights, and mysteries of the jungle after dark. You can buy a ticket, rent a car, and a guide to participate in this activity at the receptionist or book in advance.
Visit Ta Lai tourist village
Visitors to the Ta Lai tourist area will be able to participate in many interesting activities of ethnic minorities such as: enjoying traditional dishes, participating in some of their daily activities, etc. To get to this location, you have two options: by bike or by car. Cycling is highly regarded as a way to enjoy the beauty of Cat Tien National Park fully and freely.
The Cat Tien archaeological site
Set amidst the lush forests of Cat Tien national park, this archaeological Site is a unique ancient Hindu sanctuary. Discovered in 1985, the site dates back to between the 4th and 7th centuries AD and is believed to have been a religious center of a once-powerful kingdom influenced by Indian culture. The complex features brick temples, stone altars, and impressive relics. Though not part of the Oc Eo Culture heartland, the site shares cultural and artistic elements with the Oc Eo civilization, reflecting the deep historical connections between early Southeast Asian societies and Indian spirituality. .
Cat Tien National Park waterfalls
Cat Tien National Park has several beautiful waterfalls that have become tourists’ favorite spots for photography and sightseeing, they include:
Troi (Sky) Waterfall – Dung Waterfall
Troi Waterfall and Dung Waterfall have the unique beauty of white water streams flowing through cliffs, surrounded by vast green trees, creating an extremely cool and wonderful feeling.
Mo Vet (Parrot Beak) waterfall
You will have to take a canoe from the park’s headquarters along the riverbank to explore the beauty of the Mo Vet waterfall. Its water flow is more powerful than that of the Troi and Dung waterfalls and the Mo Vet waterfall has the shape of a Parrot Beak when viewed from above.
2. Best time to visit Cat Tien National Park?
The most suitable time to travel to Cat Tien National Park is around December - May because during this time, there is little rain and the forest is dry, which makes it easier to move around the forest. You should avoid going from June to November because this period is prone to rain.
3. How to get to Cat Tien National Park?
Travel from Ho Chi Minh City
By bus/coach: From Ho Chi Minh City, you can depart from the Mien Dong (Eastern) bus station and choose the Kim Hoan bus company with a ticket price of about 80,000 VND/trip and the bus goes straight to Cat Tien National Park.
In addition, you can choose a high-quality bus at Mien Dong bus station, however, you must continue to catch a 2nd bus from the tourist information point of Cat Tien National Park to reach the park gate. Some high-quality car brands such as Phuong Trang bus company (Phone number is 08920657) or Thanh Buoi bus company (Phone number is 0838306306)...
By motorbike or self-driving car: You can travel by private vehicles along a route about 150km - 160km long with Google Maps.
Tour package: To make your trip easier, consider booking a tour in advance through a reputable travel agency. Many offer full-service packages that include transportation, park entry, guided night safari tours. Booking a tour helps ensure a smooth and enriching experience without the hassle of arranging everything on your own.
Means of transportation at Cat Tien Park
Because the area of Cat Tien National Park is quite large and has many types of terrain, if you want to explore all the outstanding places, you need to travel by several means of transportation:
- Bicycle rental fee: About 100,000 VND/bike/4 hours and 150,000 VND/bike/day.
- Rent a car for about 640,000 VND/round trip/1 - 7 people.
Bau Sau Wetland is 14 km from the park center. The main road section of 9 km can be traveled by car or bicycle, the remaining 5 km of forest road is on foot (no alternative).
4. Tickets to Cat Tien National Park
- Entrance ticket to Cat Tien National Park: 60,000 VND/person
- Wildlife Rescue Center: 30,000/person
- Ticket to Bau Sau Wetland: about 250,000 VND/person.
- Night safari tour: 600,000/group of 2-4 people
5. Where to stay in Cat Tien National Park?
If you want to enjoy the realest backpacking journey in Cat Tien National Park, you should bring a tent and sleeping bag to spend the night outdoors.
For a more comfortable stay, you can choose a hotel or homestay from the following list: River Lodge, Green Bamboo Lodge Resort, Green Hope Lodge, Cat Tien Forest Call Lodge, and Cat Tien Jungle Lodge.
5. Things to note when traveling to Cat Tien National Park?
For the safest travel to Cat Tien National Park, you need to pay attention to the following notes:
You should prepare food and water before visiting any tourist destination in Cat Tien forest in case you are hungry but have no place to buy.
Cat Tien National Park is mainly forest, so prepare extra anti-insect bite cream, and urgo patch to prevent bleeding as well as wear long-sleeved clothes and shoes to avoid leeches.
Don't forget to equip yourself with a compass or learn how to determine direction when going to the forest.
Prepare an extra hat, shirt, sunscreen, and some flat-soled shoes for ease of movement.
If you are interested in taking a private tour of Cat Tien National Park, feel free to drop us a message at [email protected] or contact us here.
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