Vietnam is home to an incredible 34 national parks, each offering a unique glimpse into the country’s diverse ecosystems, landscapes, and wildlife. From lush tropical rainforests to rugged mountains, these national parks are a nature lover's paradise. In this guide, we’ll take you through the top 8 national parks in Vietnam and highlight the must-try activities that will elevate your experience. Whether you're into trekking, birdwatching, or exploring caves, these parks have something unforgettable to offer.

Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh)

Cuc Phuong National Park is located in three provinces in northern Vietnam: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa. Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam, consecrated in 1962 by President Ho Chi Minh, and covers some 222 km².

It is home to 97 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibians, 11 species of fish, 2,000 species of vascular plants, thousands of species of insects and many different-colored soils.

The first traces of human habitation in the Cuc Phuong forest date back 7,000 to 12,000 years. Artifacts from this period have been found in many of the park's caves, including human burials, stone axes, bone-tipped spears, oyster shell knives, and even grinding tools.

Visiting Cuc Phuong National Park, you'll discover centuries-old trees, caves with traces of prehistoric man, and a center for conserving endangered primates.

Entrance fee:

• Adults: 60,000 VND
• Students: 20,000 VND
• Children: 10,000 VND
• Children under 5: Free

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh)

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, located in Quang Binh province, is one of the largest national parks in Vietnam. Created in 2001 and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the park is part of a 4,000 square km limestone area, shared equally between Vietnamese and Laotian territory. Covering a total area of over 857 square km, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, with its own ecosystem, was created to protect one of the world's largest karst regions. Nicknamed “the kingdom of caves and caverns,” the park boasts over 300 natural cave systems, stretching over some 70km, of which only 20 have been explored to date. Among them, Hang Son Doong, discovered in 2009, is the world's largest cave. 

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the perfect destination for nature and adventure enthusiasts. Activities include jungle trekking, exploring caves and caverns, bathing in underground rivers, cycling in the countryside, camping, zip-lining, eating and spending the night with local people, and so much more.

Entrance fee: (Phong Nha Cave)

• Adults: 150,000 VND
• Children under 130 cm: Free

Pu Mat National Park (Nghe An)

Nghe An is a North Central Province, 350 km southwest of Hanoi, between Laos and the East Sea. Spanning the three districts of Con Cuong, Anh Son and Tuong Duong, Pu Mat National Park backs onto the eastern slopes of the Truong Son mountain range, which forms the border between the two countries. In Thai, Pu Mat means “the steep passes” or “the highest mountain”.  Created in 2002 and recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2007, the park is home to sumptuous waterfalls, hot springs, and incredible caves. Located 120 km southwest of Vinh, the park covers an area of just under 200,000 ha, just under 100,000 of which are dedicated to the conservation zone and the remaining 100,000 to the buffer zone.

Pu Mat National Park preserves over 2,400 plant species, including 20 in the World Red Book. It is home to 240 animal species, some of which are extremely rare—in particular the Sao La, a herbivorous mammal. Pu Mat is a remarkable example of the primary rainforest ecosystem of the Truong Son region.

This national park in Vietnam is still relatively untouched and not on many people’s travel maps. So in an effort to raise public awareness, several activities are offered: swimming, sampan rides on the Giang River, visiting Khe Kem waterfall, and, of course, hiking and trekking.

Entrance fee:

• Adults: 60,000 VND
• Students: 20,000 VND
• Children: 10,000 VND
• Children under 5: Free

Ba Be National Park (Bac Kan)

Ba Be National Park is a nature reserve located 250km north of Hanoi, in Bac Kan province. The park was founded in 1992 to protect Ba Be Lake, its banks, and evergreen forests.

Ba Be National Park extends over 7,610ha and lies between 150m and 1,098 m above sea level. It is home to over 600 different plant species, 65 mammal species, 214 bird species, 46 reptile and amphibian species, and 87 freshwater fish species.

Excursions of 3 days or more are available, including boat trips on the lake and visits to ethnic villages, caves, and waterfalls. The excursion can be combined with a visit to Cao Bang Park, famous for the Ban Gioc waterfalls.

Entrance fee: 70,000 VND/person

Cat Ba National Park (Hai Phong)

Cat Ba National Park is a nature reserve located on Cat Ba Island, the largest island in Halong Bay. The park was founded in 1986 and covers 280 sq km.

It is characterized by its subtropical vegetation and is home to aquatic snakes, pythons, and geckos. Dolphins can also be seen along the coast. A rare species of endemic monkey lives here, Trachypithecus Poliocephalus, or the golden-headed langur. It has been protected since 2000. An 18-kilometer walking trail is open to tourists.

Cat Ba Island is also the departure point for cruises in Lan Ha Bay. Travelers can therefore combine their cruise with a 2-hour or longer hike in Cat Ba National Park. If you enjoy something more adventurous, Cat Ba Island is a great place to go rock climbing or deep water soloing.

Entrance fee:

• Adults: 160,000 VND
• Children: 80,000 VND

Bach Ma National Park (Thua Thien Hue)

Bach Ma National Park is located 40 km from Hue, in the central province of Thua Thien. It was founded in 1991 and covers 37,487ha. From Bach Ma Mountain, the park's highest peak at 1,450m, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lang Co Bay, Lake Ho Truoi, and the surrounding area.

This national park near Hue is renowned for the diversity of its flora and fauna; the park is home to over 2,147 different plants, 1,493 species of mammals, and 894 species of butterflies and insects.

You can spend a day hiking in the forest, visiting and bathing in lakes and waterfalls, climbing at Bach Ma mountain, visiting the Buddhist temples at Bach Ma mountain, and much more! Bach Ma National Park is also easily accessible from Hoi An, being only 87 km away, making it a perfect destination for a day trip from the ancient town!

Entrance fee:

• Adults: 65,000 VND
• Children and students: 25,000 VND

Yok Don National Park (Dak Lak)

Yok Don National Park is located in the central highlands provinces of Dak Nong and Dak Lak. Established in 1991 and covering a total area of 1.155 km², Yok Don has one of the most biodiverse forests in Vietnam. It houses globally endangered species such as the Indochinese tiger or the gaur. Yok Don is also home to the country's last wild elephants and leopards.

Over the years, poaching and illegal logging have decimated populations of these species. However, the park still retains its pristine appearance, with very few foreign tourists.

Guided day and overnight hikes through the forests are an excellent way to discover the wildlife. Hiking trails will take you through deciduous forests with savanna-like landscapes, setting it apart from the usual national parks in Vietnam.

Entrance fee:

• Adults: 60,000 VND
• Children and students: 20,000 VND

Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai)

Cat Tien National Park is located in three provinces of southern Vietnam: Dong Nai, Lam Dong, and Binh Phuoc. In 2001, the park was classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and has been a Ramsar site since 2005 for the importance of its wetlands.

The park is home to more than 1,610 different plants, 105 species of mammals, 351 species of birds, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, 130 species of freshwater fish, and several hundred species of butterflies and insects. The park was best known for its small population of Javan Rhinoceros, which was officially declared extinct in 2011. Nevertheless, the park is also home to many other endangered animals, such as the Black Gibbon and the Nomascus gabriellae gibbon. The clouded leopard is also present in the park. 

One of the best national parks near Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Tien is a great place for a weekend getaway or to get back to nature.

Activities in Cat Tien National Park include hiking in the forest, butterfly and insect watching, bird watching, mountain biking, boat trips on the crocodile lake, discovering the life of the Ma-Stiêng ethnic minority, animal watching in the dark, etc.

Entrance fee:

• Adults: 60,000 VND
• Students: 20,000 VND
• Children under 16: 10,000 VND

9. Ba Vi National Park 

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10. Xuan Son National Park 

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11. Tam Dao National Park 

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12. Xuan Thuy National Park 

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13. Pu Luong National Park 

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14. Hoang Lien National Park 

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15. Nui Chua National Park 

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16. Con Dao National Park 

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17. Phu Quoc National Park 

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18. Bu Gia Map National Park 

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19. Ta Dung National Park 

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20. U Minh Thuong National Park 

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Exploring Vietnam's national parks is an adventure like no other, with each park offering its own distinctive beauty and set of activities. For the best experience, consider booking a guided tour with Vietnam Original Travel. Our expert guides ensure you don’t miss out on any hidden gems and make the most of your time in Vietnam’s pristine nature reserves. Contact us and let us help you create unforgettable memories in the heart of Vietnam’s wild landscapes!

To discover one of these most beautiful parks, let's check out this tour: 

=> Excursion to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park