7 Best Wildlife Watching Spots in Vietnam

Vietnam boasts a rich tapestry of biodiversity, offering numerous destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. Here are seven prime spots to immerse yourself in the country's natural wonders:

Written by Linh Yang (Local expert)Updated on 12-03-2025

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1. Con Dao National Park

Location: Con Dao Archipelago, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ticket price: Around 60,000 – 90,000 VND

Con Dao National Park encompasses 14 islands characterized by lush forests, rugged mountains, and pristine beaches. Notably, it's a vital nesting ground for sea turtles, with over 600 mother turtles coming ashore annually between April and November to lay eggs.

Visitors can participate in nighttime tours to observe this nesting process and assist in releasing hatchlings back to the sea. The surrounding waters are also home to vibrant coral reefs, dugongs, and dolphins.

💡 The peak turtle nesting season offers a unique wildlife experience, so plan accordingly

👉 Discover Travel Guide: 6 Must-Ask Questions Before Your Trip to Con Dao Island!

2. Son Tra Peninsula

Location: Son Tra District, Da Nang
Opening hours: Open 24/7
Ticket price: Free

Covering over 4,400 hectares and situated about 10 km from downtown Da Nang, Son Tra Peninsula boasts a rich ecosystem with nearly 1,000 plant species and hundreds of animal species.

It's renowned for the endangered red-shanked douc langurs, often spotted along the Yet Kieu route. Visitors can embark on guided tours to observe these primates in their natural habitat.

💡 The optimal time to visit is from April to November.

3. Yok Don National Park

Location: Buon Don District, Dak Lak Province
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ticket price: Around 40,000 – 70,000 VND

Located about 40 km north of Buon Ma Thuot City, Yok Don National Park is Vietnam's largest national park, characterized by deciduous dipterocarp forests.

It offers eco-tourism activities such as elephant interactions, camping, bird watching, trekking, cycling under forest canopies, and boat trips on the Serepok River. Visitors can also explore local ethnic minority cultures in nearby villages.

💡 The best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to March, to avoid heavy rains.

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4. Cat Ba Island

Location: Cat Hai District, Hai Phong
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ticket price: Around 80,000 – 120,000 VND

Cat Ba Island, located in the Gulf of Tonkin near Ha Long Bay, is characterized by limestone terrain and dense forests. It is home to the endemic Cat Ba langur, also known as the golden-headed langur due to its distinctive yellow fur around a black face. Newborns have bright orange fur.

Cat Ba National Park offers trekking tours, giving visitors the chance to observe golden-headed langurs in their natural habitat. Additionally, visitors can enjoy activities like hiking, birdwatching, and exploring limestone karsts and caves.

💡 The park is accessible year-round, but the period from April to November offers pleasant weather for outdoor activities

5. Cuc Phuong National Park

Location: Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ticket price: Around 20,000 – 60,000 VND

Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is Vietnam's oldest national park, spanning over 22,000 hectares. It shelters a rich array of flora and fauna, including endangered primates like gibbons and langurs.

Visitors can join trekking tours to observe wildlife such as clouded leopards, Asiatic black bears, white-shanked douc langurs, and various bird species. Camping with a guide enhances the chance of experiencing the natural ecosystem up close.

💡The best time to visit is from December to April, avoiding the rainy season and offering optimal wildlife viewing opportunities.

👉 Discover Why Cúc Phương Was Named Asia’s Best National Park 2024!

6. Ba Be National Park

Location: Ba Be District, Bac Kan Province
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ticket price: Around 50,000 – 80,000 VND

Ba Be Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. Most visitors spend just a day or an overnight stay exploring the area. The forests surrounding the lake are home to over 80 animal species, 322 bird species, various orchids, and numerous caves.

Ba Be National Park offers multi-day trekking tours, providing opportunities to spot pygmy slow lorises, Owston’s palm civets, Asiatic black bears, and white-cheeked black gibbons. Visitors can also take a boat trip on the lake to observe various bird species.

💡The ideal time to visit is during the dry season, from October to April, when the weather is cool and dry.

7. Tram Chim National Park

Location: Tam Nong District, Dong Thap Province
Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ticket price: Around 30,000 – 70,000 VND

Located 150 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap spans nearly 7,400 hectares and preserves the last remaining wetland ecosystem of the old Dong Thap Muoi region. The park is home to over 230 bird species, including 32 rare ones and 16 listed in the Red Book. The sarus crane is one of its most iconic inhabitants.

At Tram Chim, visitors can experience the untouched nature of the Mekong Delta, with vast forests and flocks of storks soaring across the sky.

💡Visitors can explore the park via boat tours, observing various bird species, especially during the high water season from August to November. It's advisable to bring binoculars and wear appropriate clothing for wetland environments.