Exploring the Green World in Cat Tien National Park

Cat Tien is lies on the southern Dong Nai River, on 74,219 hectares of land in the three provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc and Lam Dong. The flora and fauna in the region represent all of southern Vietnam. The forest has hills, clearings, springs, rivers and waterfalls to form a superb landscape. This is an ideal ecological tourism area in the south-eastern region. Since 1978, Cat Tien has been a protected forest and Cat Tien National Park was set up in 1992, to conserve the area’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Many species in the forest are listed in the Red Book.

 

Cat Tien National Park is 160 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. From Ho Chi Minh City, you travel along National Road 20 (toward Da Lat) to km post 125 (Tan Phu junction), turn left and go straight 24 km to a ferry, cross the Dong Nai River and you will see the forest gate. After the three-hour drive, passengers will find themselves in another world in Cat Tien National Park. The thick forest and hidden clearings, with the running river create a rich ecosystem with more than 1,600 species of trees and plants. So far, the National Park has recorded 1,610 species of plants in 75 genera and 162 families, including big timber trees, small trees, bushes, parasites and climbers. Many rare trees live for 300-600 years, with big trunks that even 10 people joining hands cannot surround. The imposing landscape also holds ancient cultural relics. In the rainy season, the peaceful springs become roaring cascades. The roads leading to the forest are covered by thick layers of leaves. Rays of sun seeping through the canopy dot the forest floor. The climate is cool throughout the year.

 

The depths of the forest are filled with the mysterious and primitive beauty of trees, leaves and flowers. The healthy and pleasant air is livened by the fragrance of flowers. Mushrooms growing from trees trunks look like colourful flowers on the trees. You can walk through the forest to Ben Cu wharf junction. Many trees here have been growing for 700 years. The most impressive trees are the pines with above-the-ground root systems, the six-crest lagerstroemia calyculata and centennial cycads.