Natural Wonders Of Vietnam

Vietnam

2,112

spring

Overview Itinerary Dates & Pricing Gallery Is this tour Right for you

Overview

Are you ready for a private adventure in Vietnam's great outdoors? Commonly known for its rich history, diverse minorities, and beautiful rustic villages, Vietnam is also a country of natural beauty on a grand scale. Vietnam national parks and other little-known nature reserves are almost kept secret from the crowds flocking to the country’s grand cities and touristy sites. Come and join us for beautiful jungle walks amid the country’s rich flora and fauna, swim in rivers flowing through dark natural tunnels, and sleep in hammocks perched in remote caves. Forget about 5-star hotels, and come and celebrate with us in Vietnam's national parks and pristine nature! You can either join the scheduled departure listed below, or we can arrange a Vietnam national parks tour for you on dates that suit you best. The recommended dates for the Vietnam national parks private tour are March to May. Please see below the dates for which trip prices are not available (some surcharge may apply). The Tu Lan caves system is closed from August to December.

Highlights

Ba Be National Park. Cruise Vietnam’s largest natural lake, hike to waterfalls, and visit minority villages tucked into the jungle.
Tea Country & Terraces. Walk endless tea plantations in Thai Nguyen and rural highlands rarely visited by travelers.
Trang An & Ninh Binh. Boat through caves and limestone towers in a UNESCO-listed karst landscape.
Lan Ha Bay Cruise. Kayak, cave-hop, and sleep aboard a ship in Ha Long Bay’s quieter, less crowded waters.
Tu Lan Cave Expedition. Two days of trekking, river swimming, jungle caves, waterfalls, and camping by firelight.
Cat Tien Wildlife Encounters. Gibbon tracking at dawn, jungle walks, crocodile wetlands, and rescue sanctuaries.
Can Gio Mangroves. Explore mangrove forests by boat, meet fishing families, and see Vietnam’s coastal ecosystems.

Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Hanoi

Day 1

Arrival in Hanoi

Ba Be Nature Reserve

Day 2

Ba Be Nature Reserve

Ba Be Lake

Day 3

Cruising Ba Be Lake

Thai Nguyen

Day 4

Walking Along Tea Plantations And Drive Back To Hanoi

Ninh Binh

Day 5

To Ninh Binh

Lan Ha Bay

Day 6

Cruising Lan Ha Bay

Dong Hoi

Day 7

Flight to Dong Hoi

TU LAN CAVE SYSTEM

Day 8

Pristine Jungles At Tu Lan Cave System

Phong Nha

Day 9

From Tu Lan To Phong Nha

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 10

Flight To Ho Chi Minh City And Visit Cat Tien Nature Reserve

Cat Tien

Day 11

Exploring Cat Tien

Ho Chi Minh City (2)

Day 12

To Ho Chi Minh City

The Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve

Day 13

Day Excursion To Can Gio Mangrove Biopsphere Reserve

Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Day 14

Departure From Vietnam

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Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi, the national capital and the heart of Vietnam’s growing economy. After completing immigration formalities, meet the local guide and head to the city center to check in at the hotel. After some time to recuperate from the long flight, and if time permits, take a first orientation tour of the city. Begin with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology, featuring a striking exhibition on the diverse ethnic groups inhabiting the country, their rich cultures, traditions, and unique clothing and customs. Then pay a visit to Ngoc Son Temple by the Hoan Kiem Lake right at the city center, the place where city dwellers come to enjoy an evening in leisure as temperatures turn down. After a walk along the lakeside, hop atop a traditional rickshaw for a one-hour tour of the old city. In the evening revert to the hotel for the first night in Vietnam.

Hotel
Dinner

Ba Be Nature Reserve

Leave Hanoi for the four-and-a-half-hour drive to Ba Be, one of the best-known Vietnam national parks. The drive takes us through regions rarely visited by foreigners, offering us a glimpse of the rustic Vietnamese countryside, rural life, and sleepy towns scattered along the route. Dominated by Ba Be Lake, the namesake of the nature reserve, and Vietnam’s largest natural lake, the reserve consists of towering limestone peaks and dramatic valleys, all covered with lush green rainforests. Within the reserve, there are villages of the Dzao, Tay, and Hmong ethnic minorities. Arrive in Ba Be in time for late lunch, and then take a first easy hike to Dau Dang Waterfall, an impressive cascade stretching for about 1 km through the jungle. After this first hike, stop for a stroll through one of the 13 minority villages in the reserve’s vicinity before settling into the simple hotel for the night.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ba Be Lake

Early in the morning, drive to one of the villages on the shores of the big lake, where a weekly tribal market takes place. The locals, from different ethnic groups, gather to trade here agricultural produce and a variety of handicrafts, and to purchase their own supplies. Then board a motorboat for a cruise throughout the huge lake. Pass by waterfalls, stop at the Fairy Pond, and get a glimpse of local life as they fish around the lake, all amid breathtaking views of the mighty mountains surrounding the lake. Back on solid ground, and after lunch, embark on a second hiking trip through the nature reserve. The trail takes you through thick forests and across the hills surrounding the lake. Pause at local villages such as Coc Toc Village of the Tay People and the beautiful Nam Dai Village of the Cao Dai People. Late in the afternoon, return to the simple hotel for a second night in Ba Be.

Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Thai Nguyen

After breakfast, board the vehicle and drive out of Ba Be, heading to Thai Nguyen. Well off the beaten track, this is the center of tea production in Vietnam. Once in Thai Nguyen, drive to one of the many tea plantations to meet the family who owns it. Join them for a traditional lunch, and end with a sip of their locally produced tea. After some time for a lively conversation with the family, embark on a walk through seemingly endless tea plantations covering the hill sides, see the local farmers as they pick and attend to their plots, and visit a local tea processing center to learn about the traditional methods of production of the drink so highly revered throughout Asia. Late in the afternoon, return to the car, and complete the one-hour drive to Hanoi, arriving in town rather late in the evening.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Ninh Binh

After breakfast, leave Hanoi once again, this time towards Ninh Binh. Late in the morning, arrive in Trang An and hop aboard a small boat for a private tour through Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the Red River Delta, a cruise down this narrow river, running amidst sheer, towering cliffs, would take you through natural caves dug at the base of massive karst rocks, amid evergreen rainforest scenery. Before dawn, take to the Thung Nham Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary provides shelter to a variety of birds typical of the region. Hop onto little boats, and together with a local guide, cruise through the series of lakes and canals to observe the plethora of waterfowl inhabiting the sanctuary before driving to Ninh Binh for the night.

Hotel
Breakfast

Lan Ha Bay

Leave Ninh Binh and drive to Lan Ha Bay. This is the recently developed part of Ha Long Bay. Even for those visiting Vietnam for the second time, the pleasant cruise through the bay's unique karst formations is an experience to be repeated again and again. Take a short ride in a small tender boat before boarding one of the many luxurious ships that cruise the bay. Then enjoy a 24-hour relaxing cruise, with many activities on board, including visiting pearl farms, exploring natural stalactite caves, and kayaking through the tranquil bay. Enjoy fantastic meals and spend the night on board the ship.

Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dong Hoi

Wake up amid the stunning landscapes of the bay. Those who wake up early would enjoy the beautiful sunrise, followed by a t’ai chi session on board. After breakfast, begin cruising back to the mainland. Late in the morning, disembark the ship, and drive along the newly built highway directly to Hanoi Airport for the flight to Dong Hoi, the provincial capital of Quang Binh Province. Arrive in Dong Hoi, meet the local guide, and drive to the hotel for the night.

Hotel
Breakfast

TU LAN CAVE SYSTEM

Leave Dong Hoi early in the morning and take a beautiful, mountainous, winding road to the village of Tan Hoa to explore one of Vietnam's least-known national parks. After a thorough safety brief, embark on a two-day adventure through the Tu Lan cave system. Begin with a 2.5 km (1.55 miles) stroll across fields of peanuts, corn, and by muddy water buffalo. Then cross the river, leaving the vast fields behind, and take on a climb up rocky slopes to the first cave, Hang Chuot (Rat Cave). Then another rather steep climb of some 60m (200 feet) ends at the mountain pass, offering a first glimpse of the pristine jungle the trails wind through. After a 3 km (1.86 miles) trek across the valley floor, arrive at the campsite to enjoy lunch and a cool swim by the waterfall. Then go to explore and have the first cave-river swim through Ken Cave, returning to the campsite just in time for a barbecue dinner made by the local support team. Enjoy dinner together, stories around the campfire, and a good night’s sleep in hammocks strung up beside the beautiful waterfall.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Phong Nha

The second day of the Tu Lan adventure begins at Tu Lan cave. The cave has both dry and wet sections, so expect a thrilling morning of hiking and swimming. Return to the campsite for lunch before heading to Hang Kim cave to enjoy a mix of hiking and swimming once again. From Hang Kim continue to To Mo Valley, and on to the last swim of some 200m (660 feet) through Hung Ton Wet Cave, before the hike into Hung Ton Valley. Walk past the valley, and up to the mountain pass which leads out of the Tu Lan jungle and cave system. The adventure winds down with a 2.5km (1.55 mile) walk back, crossing the Rao Nan River, and walking through the fields to reach Tan Hoa village. Here, board the vehicle, and drive to Phong Nha to check into the cozy hotel by Phong Nha Lake.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ho Chi Minh City

From Phong Nha, drive to Dong Hoi airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. Upon landing, embark on the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Cat Tien. Covering an area of 720 sq. ft. Km, and considered by many as a well-kept secret, this is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Vietnam national parks! The park is the richest in terms of wildlife species. After checking into the simple yet cozy ecolodge, pay a visit to Dao Tien Endangered Primate Rescue Center. Here, with the assistance of foreign organizations, captured primates have a chance to be released back into the wild, enhancing conservation efforts for these species. After dinner time, take an evening drive into the reserve to spot some of its nocturnal wildlife. Overnight in a lodge in Cat Tien. Note: Cat Tien is not a typical African safari. The possibility of seeing animals in the wild varies, depending on local circumstances. However, whether one encounters the reserves’ wildlife, visits the primate and bear rescue centers, or takes beautiful jungle walks, the experience offers a perspective on Vietnam and its natural beauty rarely seen by outsiders. Note II: Accommodation in the nature reserve is rather basic, based on large safari tents with en-suite toilets and shower facilities. Electricity is being shut down at about 22:00, and with it, the sketchy wifi connection. Though the camp’s staff are doing their best to combat the constant humidity and other deteriorating factors, the tents might vary in quality. We will do our best to request the best available tents, but please bear in mind that these will be basic, and prepare yourself for the worst.

Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch

Cat Tien

Set off before sunrise with a Cat Tien guide and trek into the jungle. First pause by a listening post, to wait for the gibbons to start singing. This is the best way for the rangers to locate the gibbons, who sleep in different locations throughout their large habitat. Here, one can relax and take in the vast array of wildlife that inhabits the reserve. As the nocturnal animals are all going to bed and the day-dwellers are rising, this is the perfect time of day to take advantage of Cat Tien's rich wildlife viewing opportunities. If quiet and patient enough, potential sightings can include sambar deer, mouse deer, wild boar, black-shanked douc and pigtailed macaque troops, as well as a huge array of birds and invertebrates. Once the gibbons start singing, be guided to their location to watch them as they go about their morning routine. The length of the viewing depends on the gibbons, but whether it lasts a few minutes or many hours, it is a rare and magical sight that will leave the traveler completely in awe of this beautiful family. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience. Return to camp for lunch before taking a beautiful jungle walk. The jungle trail takes you through ancient trees with lianas stretched in between them, and fungi grow on their trunks. The trail eventually leads to a pond infested with wild Siamese Crocodiles. This species is nearly extinct, and this pond is considered one of the best-preserved habitats for it. Upon arrival back at the park’s center, take a river cruise to view beautiful waterfowl on the lush vegetation along the riverbank. In the evening revert to the eco-lodge for a second night at the nature reserve.

Eco-Lodge
Breakfast

Ho Chi Minh City (2)

The day’s program would depend on whether or not yesterday’s Gibbon Experience went as planned. If no sighting was recorded on the previous day, take another look at dusk deep into the jungle for a second chance of watching these graceful apes. After breakfast, visit the Bear Rescue Facility within the park. The bears inhabiting this small sanctuary were rescued from private individuals who kept wild animals for entertainment, often in disgraceful conditions, in violation of all laws and regulations, or from farms harvesting bile, a digestive fluid stored in the gallbladder, used as traditional Chinese medicine. This way or that, the sanctuary aims to provide these bears with a dignified life, with the hope of releasing them back to nature. Around noon time, leave the nature reserve and take the three-hour drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. After checking into the hotel, enjoy an evening stroll through the bustling city, in stark contrast to the tranquil, remote nature reserves visited over the last few days.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

The Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve

The last day of the trip offers one last opportunity to enjoy another Vietnam national park. Enjoy a full-day excursion to Can Gio Biosphere Reserve. As its name suggests, the reserve features beautiful mangrove forests that reflect beautifully in the wide river. Take a ride on a small rowboat amidst these massive mangroves to watch a colony of bats taking their day sleep hanging from the treetops. Then visit the home of a local fisherman and enjoy him and his family for a traditional lunch, and a chat about life in rural Vietnam. Continue for a visit to a small crocodile sanctuary and end the day visiting Monkey Island before taking the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City for a last night in Vietnam.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Tan Son Nhat International Airport

After breakfast, drive to Tan Son Nhat International Airport to wrap up this trip to Vietnam's national parks, say farewell to the local team, and board the flight out of Vietnam

Breakfast

Dates & Pricing

Vietnam national parks tour rates are quoted in US Dollars.Note: These Vietnam private tour rates are valid all year round, but are not valid for tours that occur (in whole, or in part) during Chinese national holidays:
New Year (1-3 Jan 2025)
Chinese Spring Festival (28 Jan-03 Feb 2025)
Qingming Festival (4-6 Apr 2025)
Labor Day Holiday (1-3 May 2025)
Dragon Boat Festival (30 May-02 Jun 2025)
Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day (1-8 Oct 2025)Please note that due to stormy weather in central Vietnam and the risk of flooding, the Tu Lan area is closed from August to December.Trips@Asia reserves the right to change the prices and programs for Vietnam national parks private tours due to changes in flight schedules, airfares, and other local circumstances.
Prices are based on twin share occupancy.Rates for private groups of 2 travelers and above:
2 travelers- US$2,752/ person
4 travelers- US$2,250/ person

Dates	Status	Price	Notes
21 Mar 2026 - 03 Apr 2026	available	$ 2,112	(For a group of 6 or more) $698 Single Room Supplement

Additional Information

Inclusions

2 Domestic flight Hanoi/Dong Hoi/Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation as per program
Transfers by private A/C vehicle
Meals as indicated in the program
English speaking guide for each area as per program
Floating vest and dry bag for Tu Lan caving

Is this trip right for you?

You are drawn to raw nature and wilderness. This journey focuses on national parks, jungles, caves, wetlands, and wildlife rather than cities and monuments.

You enjoy adventure and physical activity. Expect hiking, swimming through caves, long nature walks, boat rides, and early starts for wildlife encounters.

You value authenticity over comfort. Accommodation in nature reserves is basic at times, with limited electricity and connectivity, part of the experience.

You’re curious about ecosystems and conservation. From primate and bear rescue centers to mangrove forests and gibbon tracking, this trip highlights Vietnam’s biodiversity.

You want to see a side of Vietnam few travelers reach. This itinerary is designed for those seeking depth, discovery, and landscapes that feel truly untouched.

You’re comfortable being off the grid. Several days are spent far from urban centers, with minimal Wi-Fi and a strong sense of remoteness.

Overview

Highlights

Ba Be National Park. Cruise Vietnam’s largest natural lake, hike to waterfalls, and visit minority villages tucked into the jungle.
Tea Country & Terraces. Walk endless tea plantations in Thai Nguyen and rural highlands rarely visited by travelers.
Trang An & Ninh Binh. Boat through caves and limestone towers in a UNESCO-listed karst landscape.
Lan Ha Bay Cruise. Kayak, cave-hop, and sleep aboard a ship in Ha Long Bay’s quieter, less crowded waters.
Tu Lan Cave Expedition. Two days of trekking, river swimming, jungle caves, waterfalls, and camping by firelight.
Cat Tien Wildlife Encounters. Gibbon tracking at dawn, jungle walks, crocodile wetlands, and rescue sanctuaries.
Can Gio Mangroves. Explore mangrove forests by boat, meet fishing families, and see Vietnam’s coastal ecosystems.

Dates & Pricing

Dates	Status	Price	Notes
21 Mar 2026 - 03 Apr 2026	available	$ 2,112	(For a group of 6 or more) $698 Single Room Supplement

Is this trip right for you?

You are drawn to raw nature and wilderness. This journey focuses on national parks, jungles, caves, wetlands, and wildlife rather than cities and monuments.

You enjoy adventure and physical activity. Expect hiking, swimming through caves, long nature walks, boat rides, and early starts for wildlife encounters.

You value authenticity over comfort. Accommodation in nature reserves is basic at times, with limited electricity and connectivity, part of the experience.

You’re curious about ecosystems and conservation. From primate and bear rescue centers to mangrove forests and gibbon tracking, this trip highlights Vietnam’s biodiversity.

You want to see a side of Vietnam few travelers reach. This itinerary is designed for those seeking depth, discovery, and landscapes that feel truly untouched.

You’re comfortable being off the grid. Several days are spent far from urban centers, with minimal Wi-Fi and a strong sense of remoteness.