Top 7 Largest National Parks in Vietnam from North to South

The 7 Largest National Parks in Vietnam

Con Dao National Park

Con Dao National Park encompasses 14 pristine islands covered in lush forests, rugged cliffs, and untouched beaches. It is one of Vietnam’s most important marine conservation areas and a vital nesting ground for endangered sea turtles, with more than 600 mother turtles coming ashore every year between April and November to lay their eggs.

What makes Con Dao stand out?

• Turtle night-watching tours: Join rangers after dark to witness turtles nesting or releasing hatchlings into the sea.
• Coral reef snorkeling: Explore vibrant coral gardens home to reef fish, sea stars, and occasionally, dugongs and dolphins.
• Island-hopping: Visit Bay Canh, Cau Island, and Tre Lon Island for secluded beaches and mangrove forests.

Animal Highlights:

• Green sea turtles (peak season: July–October)
• Hawksbill turtles
• Dugongs (rare but possible)
• Spinner dolphins
• Giant black squirrel & hornbills on land

Best Time to Visit

The best time for wildlife viewing is April to November, with July–October offering the highest chance to see turtles laying eggs. Seas are calmer from February to July, ideal for snorkeling and boat trips.

👉 Discover more: 6 essential questions before your trip to Con Dao Island!

Son Tra Peninsula

Covering more than 4,400 hectares and located only 10 km from downtown Da Nang, the Son Tra Peninsula is often called the “green lung” of the city. With nearly 1,000 plant species and hundreds of animal species, it is one of the most accessible wildlife havens in Vietnam.

Unique Highlights

Son Tra is best known as the home of the red-shanked douc langur, often referred to as the “Queen of Primates” thanks to its striking colors. These endangered primates are frequently seen in the early morning along Yet Kieu Road, the Vong Canh area, and the forested slopes of Bai Bac. Travelers can join guided eco-tours for a responsible wildlife-watching experience.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Son Tra is from April to November, when the weather is dry and visibility is better for wildlife spotting and photography. Early mornings between 6:00 and 8:30 AM offer the highest chance of seeing red-shanked doucs.

Animal Highlights

• Red-shanked douc langurs
• Long-tailed macaques
• Giant flying squirrels
• Kingfishers, hornbills, and several rare coastal birds

Yok Don National Park

Located about 40 kilometers north of Buon Ma Thuot, Yok Don National Park is the largest national park in Vietnam. The area is characterized by vast deciduous dipterocarp forests, open woodlands, and the winding Serepok River, offering one of the most unique dry-forest ecosystems in Southeast Asia.

Unique Highlights

Yok Don is the leading destination in Vietnam for ethical elephant tourism. All activities inside the park follow the principle of NO riding elephants, focusing instead on observing them in their natural habitat with trained rangers. Visitors can also join riverboat trips, forest camping programs, and cultural encounters with the Ede and M’nong communities.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Yok Don is from November to March, when the weather is dry and the forest canopy is easier to explore. This season also offers better chances for wildlife watching.

Animal Highlights

• Asian elephants (observed in the wild with rangers)
• Eld’s deer
• Golden jackals
• Long-tailed macaques
• Rare bird species such as the giant ibis, green peafowl, and white-rumped falcon

These bird species make Yok Don one of the most rewarding destinations for birdwatching in Vietnam national parks.

Hiking Routes

Best trail: The Dak Lao Trail, a beautiful route through open deciduous forest and riverbank scenery. Other recommended hikes include short nature walks near the ranger stations and longer treks through the dry forest towards the Serepok River.

Cat Ba National Park

Located in the Gulf of Tonkin near Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island is known for its limestone karst formations, dense tropical forests, and rich biodiversity. The island is the only home of the Cat Ba langur, also called the golden-headed langur, an extremely rare primate with a striking golden crown and bright orange fur in newborns.

Cat Ba National Park is a favorite destination for travelers who enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography. Guided tours are available for those who want to observe the langurs in their natural habitat.

Best Time to Visit

The most pleasant period to explore Cat Ba is from April to November when the weather is warm and ideal for both trekking and boat excursions. The best time to spot langurs is early morning between 6:00 and 9:00 AM, when they move between cliffs and forest edges.

Trekking Routes (Easy – Moderate – Hard)

• Easy: Kim Giao Forest Trail, a short route through lush greenery with chances to see birds and butterflies.
• Moderate: Ngu Lam Peak Trail, a popular trek leading to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the karst mountains.
• Hard: Viet Hai Village Trail, a full-day forest trek that passes through valleys and limestone ridges and ends at a quiet fishing village surrounded by rice paddies.

These three routes make Cat Ba perfect for both casual walkers and experienced hikers.

Trekking and Boat Tour Combination

A great way to explore the island is to combine a morning trek with an afternoon boat trip. Many travelers hike to Ngu Lam Peak or Viet Hai Village and then continue by boat to Lan Ha Bay for kayaking, swimming, or visiting floating villages. This combination allows you to enjoy both the forested interior and the stunning coastline of Cat Ba.

Animal Highlights

• Cat Ba langurs
• Civets and macaques
• Coral-billed ground cuckoos
• Oriental pied hornbills
• Various reptiles and rare forest birds

>>> Read more: Cat Ba Island - A complete guide in 5 questions before your visit

Cuc Phuong National Park

Founded in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam and covers more than 22,000 hectares of limestone mountains, ancient forests, and lush valleys. It is one of the most biologically rich protected areas in the country, home to rare primates, large mammals, reptiles, and hundreds of bird species.

Unique Highlights

Cuc Phuong is especially famous for its Primate Rescue Center, which rehabilitates endangered species such as langurs, lorises, and gibbons. The center offers guided visits where travelers can learn about conservation work and see rescued primates in semi-wild enclosures.

The park also hosts Vietnam’s famous butterfly season, which takes place from March to April when millions of pale yellow and white butterflies fill the forest trails, creating a magical atmosphere for hikers and photographers.

Best Time to Visit

The best period to explore Cuc Phuong is from December to April, when the weather is dry and wildlife is more active. Butterfly season in March and April is the most beautiful time for casual visitors.

Animal Highlights

• Delacour’s langur
• Northern white-cheeked gibbon
• Clouded leopard
• Owston’s civet
• Asiatic black bear
• Over 300 bird species including bar-bellied pittas, partridges, and kingfishers

These highlights make Cuc Phuong one of the top destinations in Vietnam for wildlife and birdwatching.

Cycling and Hiking in the Forest

Renting a bicycle is one of the best ways to explore the forest. The road from the entrance to the central valley is quiet, shaded, and surrounded by ancient trees. Visitors can also take guided hikes to Silver Cloud Peak or venture into caves such as the prehistoric Cave of the Early Man.

>>> Read more: Cuc Phuong National Park

Ba Be National Park

Ba Be National Park is home to Ba Be Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. Surrounded by limestone mountains, dense forests, waterfalls, and caves, this tranquil region is ideal for travelers who enjoy nature, wildlife, and authentic ethnic culture. The park hosts more than 80 species of mammals, 322 species of birds, and a remarkable range of orchids and butterflies.

Unique Highlights

Visitors can take multi-day hiking tours to spot rare wildlife such as pygmy slow lorises, Owston’s civets, white-cheeked gibbons, and Asiatic black bears. A boat trip on Ba Be Lake is another signature experience, offering close-up views of kingfishers, herons, and other waterbirds.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to explore Ba Be is from October to April, when the weather is cool and dry and the lake is calm enough for long boat trips.

>>> Read more: Ba Be Lake - A Slice of Paradise in Northern Vietnam

Tram Chim National Park

Tram Chim National Park is located about 150 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City and covers nearly 7,400 hectares of wetlands, grasslands, lotus fields, and water channels. It is one of the last remaining natural wetland ecosystems of the historic Dong Thap Muoi region and is home to more than 230 bird species, including 32 rare species listed in Vietnam’s Red Book. The most iconic resident is the sarus crane, the tallest flying bird in the world.

Unique Highlights

Visitors can explore the pristine beauty of the Mekong Delta through quiet boat rides, drifting past lotus fields, melaleuca forests, and flocks of herons. The park is also one of the best places in Vietnam for bird watching, especially during the high-water season.

Best Time to Visit

Birdwatching is most rewarding from December to April, which is the prime time to spot sarus cranes feeding in the wetlands. The flood season from August to November is also excellent for observing waterbirds and enjoying vibrant lotus fields.

Animal Highlights

• Sarus cranes
• Painted storks
• Oriental darters
• Lesser whistling ducks
• Purple herons
• Kingfishers and jacanas

Best Time to Visit Vietnam’s National Parks

With an area of over 1,600 km from north to south, the weather and environment of each region are different, so if you plan to visit these national parks in Vietnam, you need to understand the weather conditions to have the smoothest trip. Below are suggestions about the weather in each region.

General Park Regulations (Important for All Visitors)

Vietnam’s national parks are protected conservation areas, and several rules apply to ensure the safety of wildlife and the preservation of fragile ecosystems.

1. Drone Restrictions

Drones are restricted or prohibited in several national parks, especially those with wildlife-sensitive zones such as Con Dao and Cat Ba. Always check with the park office before flying a drone.

2. Do Not Feed Wildlife

Feeding animals can disrupt natural behavior and endanger both wildlife and visitors. This rule is especially important in Son Tra, Cat Ba, and Cuc Phuong.

3. No Bluetooth Speakers or Loud Music

Many parks now enforce eco-friendly noise rules. Loud music disturbs animals and ruins the experience for other visitors. Please keep your visit quiet and respectful.

4. Stay on Marked Trails

Venturing off-trail can damage plant habitats and increase risks of getting lost. This applies to Cuc Phuong, Cat Ba, and Yok Don.

5. No Littering or Single-Use Plastics

National parks encourage visitors to bring reusable bottles and avoid plastic waste. Several parks have adopted a “carry-in, carry-out” policy.

6. Photography Etiquette

Avoid flash photography when photographing wildlife, especially primates, turtles, and nocturnal species.

7. Respect Cultural Zones

In parks like Ba Be and Yok Don, local ethnic villages may have cultural guidelines. Always ask before photographing people or their homes.

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