I’m a photography enthusiast, and the landscapes in Northwest Vietnam seem incredible for capturing scenic views. Are there any specific spots that are particularly photogenic...
Vietnam is not only known for beautiful beaches and bays ranked in the world's famous list, but also for the system of fascinating national parks. Recently, the website 'The Culture Trip' (England) selected the 10 Best National Parks in Vietnam. If you are a nature lover, don't miss this article to explode these highlights from North to South Vietnam.
Location of the most beautiful National Parks in Vietnam from North to South
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1. Ba Be National Park
Ba Be National Park is a national park near Hanoi. Located in Bac Kan Province, Ba Be National Park is home to many ethnic minorities, including the Tay, Hmong and Dzao. It is an interesting biodiversity ecosystem formed by limestone mountains and a giant natural freshwater lake, the largest in Vietnam.
The national park has a total area of 10,048 hectares, of which 3,846 hectares is under strict protection. In 2003, Ba Be was recognised as an ASEAN heritage site.
You can combine a trip to Ba Be National Park with other mountain villages in the North-East of Vietnam such as Ha Giang and Cao Bang.
>> Discover our suggestions for Ba Be tours here.
2. Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba National Park is located in Cat Hai District, Hai Phong Province, with a total natural area of 16,196.8 hectares. Cat Ba National Park has a total area of 15,200 hectares, including 9,800 hectares of forest and 5,400 hectares of marine area. Cat Ba National Park was recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2004 with a rich and unique biological system. In particular, it is the only place inhabited by white-headed langurs, listed in Vietnam's Red Book.
To visit Cat Ba National Park, you can also combine it with a trip to Lan Ha Bay for a great nature experience.
>> All information about Lan Ha Bay and recommended activities.
3. Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park is an area of 22,408 hectares, located in the heart of the Tam Diep mountain range in the territory of three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. Established in 1962, it is the first recognised national park in Vietnam.
There are many caves with interesting landscapes and hidden stories such as Crescent Moon Cave, Chua Cave, Thuy Tien Cave, Early Human Cave, Con Moong Cave, Coral Cave.
In Cuc Phuong National Park, there are a few villages of the Muong ethnic group scattered around the area.
To visit Cuc Phuong National Park, you have to go to Ninh Binh, a beautiful village, don't miss other sites in the country:
>> What to see in Ninh Binh? Top best places to visit.
4. Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
It may be a more spectacular and well-preserved natural destination in Vietnam. Located in Quang Binh Province, the park has countless large mysterious caves such as Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave, Hang En Cave, including Son Doong, the largest cave in the world. The park's border with the Him Namno National Park in Laos creates a vast area rich in fauna and flora.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
>> Discover our offers for excursions to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.
5. Bach Ma National Park
Approximately 40 km from the city of Hue, Bach Ma National Park is Vietnam's only primary forest connecting the country from the East Sea to the Vietnam - Laos border.
In this national park, there are traces of ruined French-style villas hidden along the trails, revealing a vestige of a golden and famous era such as Sa Pa and Da Lat.
Mount Bach Ma gathers a variety of rare animals and plants from the tropics in the vast primaeval forest with spectacular streams and waterfalls.
6. Yok Don National Park
Yok Don National Park is located in Dak Lak Province and includes mainly natural forest and also lowland forest. It is the only place in Vietnam that preserves lowland forest.
Now, Yok Don is home to the last remaining wild elephants and Panthera pardus. Unfortunately, over the years, poaching and illegal logging have caused the population of these species to decline, so you can't see as many of them around. However, the park still retains its pristine appearance and is little touched by mass tourists.
>> Follow our suggestions for visiting this pristine park.
7. Nui Chua National Park
Nui Chua National Park is located in Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, bordering Khanh Hoa Province. Nui Chua National Park overlooks one of the cleanest and best-preserved stretches of coastline in the East Sea.
The total area of the park is 29,856 hectares, including 22,513 hectares of land and the rest in the sea. The area is surrounded by one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the country. The coastline is the nesting ground of several endangered turtle species.
8. Con Dao National Park
The Con Dao archipelago consists of 16 small islands, the largest of which is Con Son Island. The national park, located on the main island of Con Son, includes some of the most pristine coral reefs and white sand beaches. Endangered sea turtles nest along the coast. The Con Dao National Park area is also home to rare sea cows, endangered marine mammals registered in Vietnam's Red Book.
>> How to transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Con Dao Island?
9. Nam Cat Tien National Park
With over 80,000 hectares of forest surrounded by 90 km of the Dong Nai River, Cat Tien National Park contains valuable biodiversity resources, home to gibbons, deer and wild boar.
Great nature trails are still preserved in Cat Tien National Park, so visitors can explore the forest easily. There is a wide range of wonderful places to stay, from campsites to riverside bungalows, making Nam Cat Tien National Park an ideal place to get close to nature, away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
10. Phu Quoc National Park
As a hidden gem in the north-west of Phu Quoc Island, the national park has 1,000 different species of flora and 200 species of fauna. Phu Quoc National Park is one of Vietnam's centres of biodiversity with three typical forest ecosystems: Broadleaf Tropical Rainforest ecosystem, Alum Flooded Forest Ecosystem, and Mangrove Forest Ecosystem. This place still preserves the old primary forest intact and converges many natural beauties with forests, sea, streams, waterfalls and hills.
Once you arrive at Phu Quoc National Park, don't miss the opportunity to explore the summit of Nui Chua at an altitude of 565m on the Ham Ninh mountain range where visitors can take photos of full green forest, blue sea and sky.
>> Find out: How to transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc?
