Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve – largest wetland in Northern Vietnam
Last Update: 24th October 2020
Covering an area of 3,000 x hectares, Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is located 100 kilometers south of Hanoi. It features diverse ecosystems and rich plantation. It is well-known for the rare Delacour’s langur. It is home to more than 30 caves to explore. Compared to Tam Coc, it is a little quieter with fewer tourists.
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve Fast Facts
- Name: Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve
- Area: 3,000 x hectares
- Things to do there: Adventure, Photography, Wild Animals, Hiking, Boating, Cycling
- Who visits: Photographers, Adventurers, Hikers
- Time required: 2 – 3 x Hours
Originally set up in 1998, Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve spread across 7 townships in Ninh Binh. Acclaimed as the largest natural scenery painting, it offers the biggest of the number of Delacour’s langur in Vietnam. It is a paradise for nature lovers.
You could immerse yourself in the natural beauty on a boat. The boat tour can also take you to go through and explore the grottoes. Ca Cave is home to catfish and tilapia. Tourists can enjoy amazing stalactites with different shapes. If interested, you can visit several of the 30 grottoes there, such as Fish Cave, Turtle Cave and Lemon Cave. If you enjoy cycling, the nature reserve is also a great option.
As one of the highlights in the nature reserve, Van Long Forest offers more than 400 species of higher plants, and 39 species of animals including the Delacour’s langur. If you’d like to see it, the best time is in the morning or at dusk.
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is also the settlement for locals for hundreds of years. If you have strong interest in local culture and lifestyle, you could pay a visit to one or two families in the area after getting permission from them.
If you don’t want to be bothered by others, the best time to visit the nature reserve is in the morning as most visitors usually travel there during the afternoon.
The best months to visit are from April to November.
Unfortunately, there is no direct bust to the area from Ninh Binh or Hanoi. Thus, the only option is to rent a vehicle.
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00
- As at 24th October 2020, the entrance pricing to the nature reserve is 20,000 VND per person; the ticket for the boat tour is 60,000 VND per person. Please note, one boat can just accommodate 2 passengers. For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
- Please take care of yourself on the boat.
- Please take enough food and drinking water with you if you want to hike around the area.
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.