It’s not surprising that Vietnam is a top destination for virtually every type of traveller. This place is known for its rich culture and extraordinary natural beauty- not to refer to the plush new resorts. With varied terrains speckled in the rising limestone mountains, vast cave systems, lush green forests, and tranquil rice terraces bring unique biodiversity. The natural parks in Vietnam have large numbers of endangered and rare wildlife and endemic plant and animal species.
Cuc Phuong National Park
Started in 1962, about 120 kilometres southwest of the nation’s capital of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam. With huge limestone mountains rising through a large landscape of green rice terrace, traditional stilt perched homes and dense forest of the Muong Hill tribe, this National Park is a corner of the world that has long researchers, attracted wildlife enthusiasts, and conservationists.
So, what to expect in this rich ecosystem? With more than 2,000 species of plant, over 300 species of bird and 133 species of mammal, visitors can see the rarest primates on the earth, i.e. the Delacour Langur.
Ba Be National Park
If the huge mountains, thick evergreen forests, and big caves are not enough for you to visit this rainforest park, then different types of flora and fauna will.
Ba Be National Park is the biggest freshwater lake in Vietnam and boasts over 550 plant species, 220 species of bird- which includes oriental honey buzzard and the serpent eagles along with 65 mammals. Visitors traversing one of the several footpaths and trail can get a glimpse of the animals like Langurs, Chinese Pangolins, Macaque Monkeys, and nearly 43 reptile species. While sightings are infrequent, Ba Be National Park houses the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey as well as Vietnamese salamander.
Nam Cat Tien National Park
One among the six biosphere reserves in Vietnam, Nam Cat Tien National Park comprises of 72,000 hectares of tropical rainforest perfect for mountain biking, birdwatching, spotting wildlife, and hiking. Home to thousands of species of plants, reptiles, birds, and animals, visitors flock to Cat Tien to enjoy a glimpse of Sambar deer, Asian elephants, Sun Bears, Endangered monkeys, and exotic faunas.
Tam Dao National Park
The name Tam Dao means Three islands. It sits on the Tam Dao mountain just 75 km from Hanoi and is popular for supporting varieties of microhabitats of dense biodiversity and consists of different ecosystems and altitudes. With nearly 1000 animal and plant species in the tropical forest, Tam Dao is enclosed in wide varieties of flora and fauna. Travellers can visit this place any time of the year, but the best time is from January to April when the temperature is dry. Unlike other national parks in Vietnam, Tam Dao houses varieties of species which adapts to their cooler and drier air.
This National Park is home to 281 species which includes several rare animals like the white-cheeked black monkey, Tam Dao snake-headed fish, wood grouses, and silver pheasant. In addition, Tam Dao National is regarded as an Important Bird Area because of its preservation of the bird species.
So, next time you visit Vietnam, make sure you spare some time to visit these interesting parks.