National Parks

Northern Vietnam is characterized by towering limestone karsts, impenetrable tropical forests, and verdant rice paddies stretching endlessly toward the horizon and across mountains. See this remote landscape at its most serene in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Home to small ethnic mountain communities who make their living off the land, Pu Luong is a quiet piece of rural paradise.

Phong Nha has jungle and a terrain characterized by limestone and karst. This porous material makes it possible for subterranean rivers to form caves. Visitors come here for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in central Vietnam.

Cat Ba National Park takes up most of Cat Ba Island. Come here to see a bit of the wilderness in northern Vietnam, just to the west of legendary Halong Bay.

Nestled between the coastal city of Da Nang and historic Hue, Bach Ma National Park is one of Vietnam’s most accessible areas of natural beauty. Buses full of travelers and hundreds of motorbike tourists pass through the park daily to get between the two cities - over the famous Hai Van Pass - but few people stick around for longer than a photograph. Those who do are treated to glittering waterfalls, jungle trekking routes and views all the way out to the East Vietnam Sea.

A few hours south of Hanoi, not far from the storied Ho Chi Minh Highway, lies the vast expanse of Cuc Phuong National Park. One of the country’s most accessible parks, Cuc Phuong is thoughtfully developed, if a little outdated. A journey down its smooth, winding road lined with giant trees is a journey into the wilderness that defines much of Vietnam.

There are 30 national parks in Vietnam, but only six are considered unique biosphere reserves recognized by UNESCO. Cat Tien National Park is one of these six. As well as endemic flora and fauna, Cat Tien is home to a small population of Vietnam’s last elephants and rhinos. While many only spend a couple of days in Cat Tien National Park, you’ll be rewarded if you stay longer and make the most of this beautiful natural area.