Northern Vietnam is a spectacular and fascinating region, with landscapes ranging from high rainforest-covered mountains to wild rivers and enchanting valleys. This region is also home to some of Vietnam’s most beautiful national parks, which offer a variety of outdoor activities and the chance to explore unspoilt nature. In this article, we explore the national parks in northern Vietnam and find out what makes them so special.
North Vietnam’s national parks
Vietnam currently has a total of 34 national parks, each with a wide variety of unique and often endemic flora and fauna. The national parks of North Vietnam are particularly noted for their beauty and ecological importance, offering visitors an unforgettable experience amidst mountains, waterfalls, rice paddies and rainforests.
Ba Be National Park
Ba Be National Park is located in Bac Kan Province and is one of the largest and most beautiful national parks in northern Vietnam. The park is characterised by a large lake, Ba Be Lake, surrounded by forest-covered mountains and rich in flora and fauna.
The lake offers boat trips to admire the surrounding mountains and visit the park’s many caves. The park is also home to numerous indigenous peoples, who have maintained their traditions and culture.
Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park is the first national park in Vietnam, located in Ninh Binh Province. The park is known for its wide variety of flora and fauna, including many endangered animal species such as the Delacour’s langur, white-capped gibbon and Swinhoe’s turtle.
The park offers the opportunity to trek through the rainforests, visit the surrounding caves and rice paddies, and visit the Cuc Phuong Fauna Conservation Centre, where injured and endangered animals are cared for.
Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba National Park is located on Cat Ba Island in Halong Bay, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The park offers the possibility of exploring the bay by boat and visiting the many islands and caves, as well as trekking through the island’s mountains.
The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Cat Ba golden langur, an endangered species that has been saved by the park’s conservation efforts.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Pu Luong National Park is located in Thanh Hoa Province and is characterised by spectacular rice terraces, rainforest-covered mountains and villages of indigenous people.
The park offers the opportunity to trek through the surrounding rice fields and mountains, visit local villages and learn about the traditions and culture of the indigenous peoples. The park is also home to numerous species of fauna, including the Indochinese leopard cat and the pangolin.
Ben En National Park
Ba Vi National Park
Ba Vi National Park is located in Hanoi Province and is easily accessible from the Vietnamese capital.
The park is characterised by three mountain peaks, the highest of which reaches 1,296 metres, surrounded by rainforests and numerous hiking trails. The park is also home to numerous species of flora and fauna, including the jungle macaque and the pommel deer.
Hoang Lien National Park
Hoang Lien National Park is located in the province of Lao Cai, near the city of Sapa. It is characterised by high rainforest-covered mountains, including Vietnam’s highest mountain, Fansipan, which reaches 3,143 metres.
The park is also home to numerous indigenous peoples, including the Hmong, Dao and Tay, who have maintained their traditions and culture. The park offers the possibility of trekking through the mountains and visiting local villages.
Xuan Son National Park
Xuan Son National Park is located in Phu Tho Province, near the city of Viet Tri. The park is characterised by rainforest-covered mountains and enchanting valleys, as well as numerous species of flora and fauna.
The park offers the possibility of trekking through the mountains and visiting the surrounding waterfalls and caves.
Xuan Thuy National Park
Being 160km far from Hanoi, Xuan Thuy National Park is located in Giao Thuy District, Nam Dinh Province in an area 12,000ha wide. To the local people nearby Xuan Thuy National Park, the best time to visit this site is from October to April, due to the fact that the number of birds migrating from the north increases, creating an exciting and noisy atmosphere. Also, if you want to enjoy the glamorous and colorful sights, you can travel there in summer time from April to September.
Tam Dao National Park
Tam Dao National Park is located in Vinh Phuc Province, near the city of Hanoi. The park is characterised by rainforest-covered mountains and numerous waterfalls and lakes.
