When mentioning the province of Ninh Binh - the famous inland Halong Bay, Tam Coc or Trang An may be the first things that comes to mind. But did you know that Ninh Binh boasts yet another natural wonder amidst the marshes and karst peaks not that far away? A delicate yet powerful masterpiece: Van Long Nature Reserve. It is the largest submerged nature reserve in Vietnam (over 3,500 hectares), renowned as the refuge for the critically endangered Delacour's Langur and clouded leopards.

Van Long Nature Reserve in Ninh Binh offers magnificent views and a glimpse into rural life. In comparison to Tam Coc, the "star", Van Long is much more primitive and untouched. The rivers, mountains, caves, rice fields, old houses, warm-hearted inhabitants, small bamboo boats, and more, all contribute to making Van Long a must-visit for travel enthusiasts. Tourists who come to explore the reserve will have the opportunity to witness the rich fauna and flora within the most biologically diverse wetland in Vietnam.

About Van Long Nature Reserve

Van Long was not always this submerged paradise, this "waveless bay" with a thousand legendary caves. In the 1960s, a dam of over 30 kilometers was built on the left bank of the Day River for water treatments. This led to the flooding of the surrounding lands, transforming Van Long into a vast wetland, unintentionally creating a corridor and a stopover for migratory birds. In 1998, the idea of establishing a nature reserve emerged, and the project came to fruition in 1999. The operation and management of the site are based on a community self-management model sponsored by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Vietnam. Today, the Van Long Nature Reserve has become a favored destination, often included in tours of the North of Vietnam.

Van Long Nature Reserve boat tour + Price

Van Long Nature Reserve is explored on a bamboo boat tour, carrying between 2 and 4 people, navigating through the reeds and water lilies. The tranquility is enchanting, and the landscapes are both sumptuous and serene. The site is dotted with hundreds of caves, among the most famous are the Turtle Cave (Hang Rùa) and the Fish Cave (Hang Cá). Each cave has its own legend, and for the Fish Cave, it is said that a fisherman once caught a fish so fat that it couldn't be moved. So, it was left there in the cave, at the foot of Mount Hoang Quyen. The cave is 250 meters long, 8 meters high, 10 meters wide, with stalactites in bizarre shapes hanging from its ceiling. Most importantly, it is home to a large population of catfish, including tilapia.

According to experts, the Nature Reserve houses a rich system of flora, including 488 terrestrial plant species and numerous aquatic species, including algae. On the limestone rocks, 266 species of medicinal plants and around twenty species of ornamental plants, such as orchids, pines, cycads, and glossy-leaved fig trees, thrive abundantly.

Regarding fauna, there are 102 species of invertebrates and 54 species of fish. On land, there are 79 species of insects, 32 species of amphibians, and reptiles.

There are 39 species of mammals, including the Delacour’s langur, the black bear, the serow, the wild boar, and the clouded leopard. In 2010, the Van Long Nature Reserve was recognized as the largest Delacour's langur site in Vietnam, with around a hundred individuals documented (by the Vietnam Guinness Records Center).

Van Long Nature Reserve is also the habitat for 72 species of birds, both resident and migratory, with a focus on water birds such as egrets, herons, bitterns, rails, and long-tailed jacanas, among others.

It appears that almost all the famous tourist attractions in Ninh Binh share one thing in common: limestone mountains. In Van Long Nature Reserve, there are a lot of limestone mountains with strange names such as Meo Cao (Cat Scratches), Mam Xoi (Raspberry), Co Tien (Fairy) or Mo Coi (Orphan), etc.

Van Long Nature Reserve not only preserves natural features but also safeguards a variety of historical sites. After your Van Long Nature Reserve boat tour, make sure to explore the 600-year-old gold apple tree, the Chi Le Temple, the Mai Trung Temple, and the Dich Long Temple, a historical relic associated with Dinh Tien Hoang.

4 reasons why you should visit Van Long Nature Reserve

Affordable prices

Compared to Tam Coc or Trang An, entry tickets and boat ride tickets in the Van Long Nature Reserve are cheaper. You will pay only 120,000 VND per boat for two adults. Feel free to ask the boat people about things to do or request stops at places you want to explore. The boat people, who also serve as guides, will be happy to share with you the fun facts about the wetland.

The Van Long Nature Reserve is less touristy

Visiting the Van Long Nature Reserve, you move further away from the crowds and chaos at Tam Coc and Trang An and closer to the untouched mountains and caves. The boat ride is shorter, lasting 1 to 2 hours, but you get to enjoy the peace and serenity, with the gentle sounds of the water and the paddles in the river being the only thing that breaks the silence. No vendors or photographers disturb you with invitations to buy or take photos, which you might encounter in Tam Coc, but not in Van Long.

The rich ecosystem of fauna and flora

Van Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta. It boasts an incredible biodiversity with 722 plant species, 100 bird species, 39 amphibians and reptiles species, and 38 mammal species. In particular, you have the opportunity to observe the Delacour's langur, a monkey listed among the 25 most endangered primate species in the world. Visiting the Van Long Nature Reserve in the afternoon, you may be lucky enough to see storks heading towards the marshes and rice fields, and langurs coming out of caves to search for food.

The pristine nature

The waters resemble a giant mirror, calm and transparent, reflecting the majestic sculptures of limestone formations. The water may not have the blue of the sea but is so clear that you can see the algae beneath the surface. The landscape at Van Long Nature Reserve is nothing short of an oil painting. In fact Van Long Nature Reserve is so beautiful it was chosen as a filming location for the movie "Kong: Skull Island". Watching this fantastic film, you will be fascinated by the picturesque scenery of Vietnam, particularly the terrestrial Halong Bay in Ninh Binh.

How to get t Van Long Nature Reserve

From Hanoi, tourists can reach Van Long Nature Reserve by motorcycle, car or bus. If taking a bus, you can go to Giap Bat or My Dinh bus station. After arriving in Ninh Binh, get off at the Gian Khau junction. From there, you can reach the boat pier by motorbike or by getting a taxi.

If you’re driving from Hanoi, follow National Highway 1A. When you reach the Gian Khau junction, turn right. Then, continue straight for about 4 km until you see directional signs. Keep moving for another 3 km until you reach the Van Long boat pier.

Travel tips to Van Long Nature Reserve

1. The best time to visit Van Long Nature Reserve is in the afternoon (3:30 PM – 4:30 PM), when you have the opportunity to see langurs and storks. There are no life jackets on the boat, but if you need one, feel free to ask at the ticket counter before taking the boat ride.

2. As the ticket prices at the nature reserve are lower, it's customary to tip $2 – $3.

3. You can visit the nature reserve at any time of the year and it would offer a unique beauty. However, if you want to witness the blooming lotus season, visit Van Long Nature Reserve in the summer, around May and June each year. Additionally, you can explore Van Long during the dry season, from November to April. This period is when birds from the North migrate to build nests. You will have the opportunity to admire the beauty of an incredibly diverse bird ecosystem.

4. Bring binoculars to get a closer look at the langurs and all the birds.

If you're looking to visit Ninh Binh, then Van Long Nature Reserve is a must! It is the perfect escape from all the hustle and bustle of the city and all the famous tourist attractions! We hope this article helped, if you're interested, keep reading: 

=> Excursion to Van Long in Ninh Binh