Travel

The Ultimate Guide to Cat Tien National Park: An Unforgettable Journey

If you're yet to discover the wonders of Cat Tien National Park, then prepare to be enchanted. This guide will take you on a journey through the park's majestic trails and untouched natural beauty, offering an insider's look at one of Vietnam's most breathtaking destinations.

Administrator

1 August, 2024

In addition to Dalat, many people also choose to visit Cat Tien National Park to explore. If you want to travel to Cat Tien Forest but don’t know what to prepare? What is interesting in Cat Tien National Park? Let’s explore with us the full experience of traveling to Cat Tien National Park!

1. Overview of Cat Tien National Park? Where is Cat Tien National Park located?

Cat Tien National Park on the map

In the 1970s, Cat Tien Forest existed with Nam Cat Tien and Tay Cat Tien areas. Later, the Prime Minister decided to connect the Nam Cat Tien prohibited forest and the Tay Cat Tien nature reserve into one. Currently, Cat Tien National Park is a tropical rainforest located in the provinces of Lam Dong, Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc. This is considered an extremely important biosphere reserve with an area of over 70,000 hectares.

2. The best time to travel to Cat Tien National Park

Choose the right time to avoid inconvenience during your trip!

The best time to travel to Cat Tien National Park is from December to May, according to the experience of those who have been there, this time has less rain and the forest is dry so you can easily get around and admire its beauty. You should avoid traveling from June to November as this time is prone to storms.

3. How to get to Cat Tien National Park

Means of transportation

According to the experience of those who have traveled to Cat Tien National Park, there are two main ways to get there: by coach or by self-driving motorbike/car from Ho Chi Minh City.

Traveling by coach:

Choosing a suitable means of transportation will give you a more perfect trip

You can depart from Mien Dong Bus Station and take a coach and choose coach companies with a fare of about 90,000 VND/trip and the coach will take you straight to Cat Tien National Park.

In addition, you can also choose high-quality coaches also at Mien Dong Bus Station, but you will have to take another coach from the Cat Tien National Park tourist information point to the park gate. Some reputable high-quality coach companies include: Phuong Trang Coach or Thanh Buoi Coach,…

Traveling by motorbike or self-driving car:

Traveling by motorbike can be tiring but will give you an unforgettable experience

You can travel by self-driving vehicle on a route of about 150-160km as follows: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City – go on National Highway 1A – National Highway 20 (turn left onto National Highway 20 at Dau Giay intersection) – at Ta Lai intersection, turn left to Cat Tien National Park (there will be signposts to the park).

Means of transportation in Cat Tien National Park

Bicycles from the Forest Headquarters to Bau Sau are the most popular choice among Western tourists

Since the area is quite large and there are many types of terrain, if you want to explore all the prominent places here, you will need to use several means of transportation.

You can rent car or bicycle services to get around the forest, these services are available at the National Park at reasonable prices.

If you have a lot of energy and time, you can walk from the forest headquarters to Bau Sau. Another way is to cycle on the main road (quite easy during the dry season), then continue walking on the forest trails (this is the option chosen by most Western tourists).

4. Cat Tien National Park entrance fees

Cat Tien National Park entrance fee

The entrance fee to the Park includes a one-way boat ride to and from the Park (the fee does not include other services)

Adults (aged 16 and over): 60,000 VND/person
Students (with student ID or school introduction letter): 20,000 VND/person
Students, children (under 16 years old): 10,000 VND/person

Bicycle rental fee in the park

Bicycle rental fee: 30,000 VND/hour, 100,000 VND/4 hours, 150,000 VND/8 hours.
Car rental fee by the session: 1,310,000 VND/hour/1-7 seats, 2,100,000 VND/hour/8-14 seats, 2,630,000 VND/hour/15-20 seats.
Car rental fee by the day: 2,100,000 VND/hour/1-7 seats, 3,150,000 VND/hour/8-14 seats, 4,160,000 VND/hour/15-20 seats.
Fee for bringing bicycles into the park: 100,000 VND/bike/day, from the second day onwards 50,000 VND/day.

Cat Tien National Park entrance fees

Wildlife night watching fee

Tour duration: About 1 hour.
Travel by car for about 6km.
Tour fee (depending on the number of guests): 150,000 VND/person (for groups of 4 or more), 200,000 VND/person (for groups of 3), 300,000 VND/person (for groups of 2), 500,000 VND/person (for individuals). For children, the fee is reduced by 50% of the adult price.

Bau Sau entrance fee

Bau Sau entrance fee: 250,000 VND/person (excluding transportation and tour guide).
Meals at Bau Sau: Dinner 120,000 VND/person. Breakfast 30,000 VND/person.
There is also a fee for renting rooms to stay overnight at Bau Sau, to know if there are rooms available, please contact them in advance!

In addition, you can refer to the following accommodation fees:

5. Where to stay when visiting Cat Tien National Park?

If you need a comfortable and fully-equipped place to stay, you can choose hotels or guesthouses

If you want to freely explore and experience Cat Tien backpacking trip, you should bring a tent and sleeping bag to spend the night outdoors. The camping fee is 100,000 VND (tent provided by guests) and camping is only allowed at the designated camping area in the park center, not at Bau Sau or anywhere else.

In addition, you can also choose accommodation services inside Cat Tien National Park:

Rooms at the park center (park headquarters)

Symbol	Room type	Price/room	Features
EC	Superior triple (3-person room)	600,000 VND	1 double bed + 1 single bed (air conditioning, TV, private toilet, wifi)
C	Superior twin (2-person room)	500,000 VND	2 single beds (air conditioning, TV, private toilet, wifi)
V24	Superior double (2-person room)	500,000 VND	1 double bed (air conditioning, TV, private toilet, wifi)
F	Standard family (4-person room)	600,000 VND	2 double beds (air conditioning, TV, private toilet, wifi)
D12	Standard triple (3-person room)	500,000 VND	3 single beds (air conditioning, private toilet, wifi)
D	Standard triple (3-person room)	500,000 VND	1 double bed + 1 single bed (air conditioning, private toilet, wifi)
ABG	Standard double (2-person room)	350,000 VND	1 double bed (air conditioning, private toilet, wifi)
VB	Mini Bungalow (2-person room)	500,000 VND	1 1.4m bed (air conditioning, TV, private toilet, wifi)
DD3	Dorm (3-person room)	400,000 VND	3 single beds (basic room, shared toilet outside, fan)
DD7	Dorm (8-person room)	800,000 VND	8 single beds (dormitory, shared toilet outside, fan)

Rooms at Bau Sau (14km from the park headquarters, including 9km by car and 5km by walking)

Symbol	Room type	Price/room	Features
Bs1	Basic triple (3-person room)	750,000 VND	3 single beds (basic room, shared toilet outside, fan)
Bs2	Basic team (4-person room)	1,000,000 VND	4 single beds (basic room, shared toilet outside, fan)
Bs3	Standard double (wooden 2-person room)	1,000,000 VND	1 double bed (view of Bau Sau, private toilet, small 12v fan)
Bs4	Standard family (wooden 4-person room)	1,600,000 VND	2 double beds (view of Bau Sau, private toilet, small 12v fan)

Note:

Room rates do not include breakfast, entrance fees or other services
Check-in time is 2pm (early check-in is possible if the room is available), check-out time is 12pm
Room rates increase by 20% on public holidays (Tet holiday, March 10th, April 30th – May 1st, September 2nd

Frequently asked questions

Cat Tien National Park is located in Southern Vietnam, approximately 150 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. It can be easily accessed by bus, car, or motorbike. The park is a great destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway from the city.

The park offers a diverse range of attractions and activities for nature lovers and adventure seekers. You can explore lush tropical rainforests, spot rare and endangered wildlife, visit the Crocodile Lake, go birdwatching, hike to beautiful waterfalls, and learn about the history and culture of the local communities. The park also offers night safaris, elephant interactions, and boat trips on the Dong Nai River.

Cat Tien National Park is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna. You can expect to see primates such as gibbons and monkeys, elephants, crocodiles, deer, wild pigs, and if you’re lucky, the rare and endangered Vietnamese Javan rhinos and leopards. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 350 species of birds, including hornbills and pheasants.

Yes, there are several accommodation options available inside the park, ranging from basic forest lodges to more comfortable bungalows and guesthouses. Camping is also allowed in designated areas. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during peak season, as accommodations can fill up quickly.

The dry season, from December to April, is generally considered the best time to visit the park as the weather is more pleasant and there is less rainfall. However, the park is open year-round, and the wet season from May to November offers its own unique experiences, such as fewer crowds and the opportunity to see the park’s stunning waterfalls at their most majestic.

As with any natural park, it is important to follow safety guidelines and be aware of potential hazards. These include wild animals, poisonous plants, and insects. It is recommended to stay on marked trails, wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and carry necessary supplies such as water, insect repellent, and a basic first-aid kit.

Yes, Cat Tien National Park welcomes visitors who are interested in contributing to conservation efforts. You can participate in volunteer programs, such as tree planting, wildlife monitoring, and environmental education initiatives. There are also opportunities to support local communities through sustainable tourism practices and by purchasing local handicrafts.