If you are setting up your vacation, you should spend the time to visit Cat Tien National Park which is the national park located in the South of Vietnam, about 150 km North of Ho Chi Minh. It is appreciated one of the most tourist attractions for visitors who are a desire to dip themselves into nature and wildlife. The park is certainly the dispensable part of your vocation mostly because it is designated as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Things to Do in Cat Tien National Park
Exploring at Ben Cu Waterfall
Ben Cu Rapid is one of many rapids in Cat Tien and probably the most famous place here. In the dry season, the rapid looks like a small stream flowing through thick forests. When the rains come, it turns into a fierce little waterfall with fast flows and a huge volume of water through hundreds of rocks. The ideal time to visit Cat Tien National Park is from December to April. It takes only 20 minutes of walking from the center Camping. On both banks of the waterfall, you can see green trees which is a great place to take a rest.
Visiting Cat Tien Bear & Wild Cat Rescue Station
The Cat Tien Bear and Wild Cat Rescue Station contain both species of bears (sun bears and moon bears) along with wildcats are rescued, rehabilitated and released into the semi-natural forest habitat that helps further rehabilitation and helps develop their wild instincts.
If you want to visit the Cat Tien Bear and Wild Cat Rescue Station, you need to remember visiting hour from 8 am to 4 pm and the entrance fee is 150,000vnd, and then goes towards the maintenance of its facilities.
Cycling Around Nearby Nam Cat Tien Village
Before visiting the Cat Tien National Park, you are forced to get the ticket in Nam Cat Tien Village for crossing the river. Nam Cat Tien Village is a great place for visitors this is particularly for those who desire to dip themselves into beautiful nature. Certainly, you will be surprised by stunning landscapes with poetic paddy fields in the countryside. Cycling through narrow village paths to get a sense of the tranquility and fresh air are the ideal choices. Obviously, this activity not only is a fantastic way to improve your fitness but also develop a sense of enjoinment on your trip.
Walking to Giant Tung Tree
Towards Croc Lake direction, you can try to explore the surrounding Cat Tien National Park. If you are interested in photography, the giant Tung tree will be a stunning view with many species of birds and butterflies. How picturesque is in your photos!
Going sightseeing animal at night Safari
It’s very easy to see some of the many hundreds of species or birds, insects, and butterflies in the park. However, if you are curious about the rare animal such as Samba deer, wild pigs, porcupines, guar, weasels, civet cats, barking deers, mongoose, nightjars, or owlets you should go to visit Nightlife Animal Safari. It is absolute an interesting experience. However, if you want to go this night park, you will be bought a ticket with a very affordable at 160.000vnd in addition to the park entrance fee.
Trekking around Crocodile Lake
Crocodile Lake is a picture of nature and wildlife which consider as a peaceful place to chill out and unwind. To reach this spot, trekking along an intriguing narrow trail full of the tall trees’ shadow and the cool breeze is done first, and it will be an interesting thing to do in Cat Tien National Park. This trekking allows you to explore interesting species of flora, ranging from seasonal mushrooms, thick canopies of vines to dazzling huge trees. Exploring means you have to experience things yourself. Certainly, your forestry knowledge must be sufficient especially preparing for a more than 10 km walk. About walking, you should walk steadily with the foot lifted high. Because of infrequent usage, every tourist trekking to Crocodile Lake might want to consider a guide as one can easily lose sight of the marked trail, which often disappears and reappears magically. Most importantly, make sure to bring along the water, snacks, insect repellent, and good walking shoes.
Sightseeing Suoi Mo Water Park Natural Lake and Waterfall
Coming to Cat Tien National Park, you should spend much time to explore amazing things at Suoi Mo Water Park. It’s not a waterpark in the normal sense that you might think. There are no large slides or manufactured swimming pools. If you want to see a good blend of environmental architecture within natural surroundings, Suoi Mo offers a beautiful and scenic place. Using the natural spring water from underground aquifers that burst onto the surface to form a recreation area, Suoi Mo is a wonderful oasis to cool the hot afternoon away in a natural and comfortable environment.
Normally, the park is quiet during the weekdays but can be quite noisy on the weekend. The entrance fee to the park is $2 for adults and $1.50 for children. There are accommodations, café’s and restaurants in and near the park so you can stop for a visit or stay for the weekend.
Visiting Bau Sau Lake
Bau Sau is the biggest lake of Nam Cat Tien, especially it is the original wetland with a variety of crocodiles and other rare animals. All you see is the green color of the trees or and grass, the blue color of the pure water and the sky. Bau Sau is highly rated for its high biodiversity and a diverse biosystem. This must be a destination for those who love nature and adventurous journeys with tons of species like aquatic and semi-aquatic plants.
Best Time to Visit Cat Tien National Park
The climate in Cat Tien National Park is a typical climate form of the south with two seasons: the rainy season and dry season. Therefore, the prime time to visit Cat Tien National Park is around the year except for July and August since it falls on the rainy season. Especially, traveling to the park in March and April will give you a wonderful chance to witness countless colorful butterflies. In addition, many species of rare and beautiful birds usually gather in the park in the time from October to December, which will reward you with wonderful scenery to see them and capture lots of photos.
Top Accommodations Near Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien National Park is one of the best tourist destinations for visitors, which leads to a high volume visitors visit this park each year. However, you don’t have to worry about accommodation partly because this following list is suggested to become a great choice for you. These places that range from simple bamboo huts to luxurious lodges. Most of them provide ample opportunities for watching the park’s many wild inhabitants.
Cat Tien Jungle Lodge
Address: at 854 Nam Cat Tien Commune, Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province
Price: $70-$140
Forest Call Lodge
Address: No. 4 Nam Cat Tien Commune, Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province
Price: $15-$30
Green Bamboo Lodge
Address: 4 Nam Cat Tien Commune, Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province
Price: $10-$35
Cat Tien Farm Stay
Address: 2 Nam Cat Tien Commune, Tan Phu, Dong Nai Province
Price: $20-$70
Cat Tien Park HQ
Address: Cat Tien National Park, Tan Phu, Dong Nai Province
Price: $25-$50
Forest Floor Lodge
Address: Cat Tien National Park, Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province
Price: $75-$125
Green Hope Lodge
Address: 4 Nam Cat Tien Commune, Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province
Price: $15-$35
Ta Lai LongHouse
Address: Ta Lai Commune, Tan Phu, Dong Nai Province
Price: 450,000vnd ($20) per person
Best Places to Eat in Cat Tien National Park
If you are an enthusiast about food, you definitely check out some restaurants to enjoy local cuisine here. This is some recommendations for you:
Dai Duong Xanh Restaurant
363 Thong Nhat Street, Ward 8
1.9 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Seafood, dinner
The Pizza Company
1096 Pham Van Thuan Vincom Plaza, 5th floor
3.1 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Excellent Pizza
Nha Vien Restaurant
12/9 C, Group 6, Zone 1, Buu Long Ward
4 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Vietnamese
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen – The Post Office
2 Cong Xa Paris, District 1
5.1 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Cajun& Creole, Seafood, Fast Food
GoGi House Bien Hoa
At 2nd Floor, the Pegasus, 53-55 Vo Thi Sau, Quyet Thang
4.1 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Asian, Korea
MOAS -Fusion Cuisine- Mixology
F245-246-247 Vo Thi Sau Thong Nhat Ward
3.5 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Fusion, Diner, Healthy, Steakhouse
Edwards Bistro
D01-09 Hoang Anh Gia Lai 3 Nguyen Huu Tho
5.4 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Asian, Pizza, British, Vietnamese
Moreover, you can try to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in some coffee shop here :
Highlands Coffee
Long Binh Tan Big C Super Market, 51 Highway
1.4 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Coffee
May Coffee $ Beer
71A Hung Dao Vuong st.
4.5 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Asian
Gong Cha
K67 N2 St. Group 6, Quarter 7, Thong Nhat Ward
4.8 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Café, Asian, Korean
Café Dang Xua
362B An Duong Vuong
5.8 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Vietnamese
Vuvuzela Bien Hoa
At 2nd Floor, the Pegasus, 53-55 Vo Thi Sau, Quyet Thang, Bien Hoa
4.1 miles from Cat Tien National Park
Cuisines: Bar, Pub
Where you eat will largely depend upon where you stay as you’re likely to eat most of your meals at your hotel or guesthouse
How to get Cat Tien National Park
The distance from Ho Chi Minh city to Cat Tien National Park is over 163 km, it takes a 4-hour drive from Saigon which makes visitors encounter many difficulties in moving, particularly the ones coming to for the first time. There stand 3 main ways to get to Cat Tien National Park from Ho Chi Minh city, and hereunder are these ways:
Taxi from Ho Chi Minh to Cat Tien National Park
Taxi is possibly the fastest and the most convenient way to travel from Ho Chi Minh city to Cat Tien National Park but the price is quite high. In general, the price for 7 seat taxi ranges from 2.500.000 VND to 2.700.000 VND.
Coach Bus from Ho Chi Minh to Cat Tien
In addition, Coach bus is a popular choice of many visitors to get to Cat Tien National Park from Ho Chi Minh city. To catch a coach bus, you must get to Mien Dong Bus Station first to buy a ticket because the coach also usually starts from Mien Dong Bus Station.
After getting to Mien Dong Bus Station, find the gate/ ticket room number 5 to buy a ticket of KIM HOANG travel company to get to Cat Tien National Park.
Time schedule:
+ Morning: 6:50 - 7:00 - 9:00
+ Afternoon: 12:00 - 1:45 - 2:45 - 4:00.
Motorbike from Ho Chi Minh to the National Park
For who likes backpacking tourism and flexibility you can also travel by motorbike from Ho Chi Minh city to Cat Tien National Park.
From Ho Chi Minh city center, go to and follow the highway 1A to the Day Giay Crossroad (this route is about 67km). Then, turn left along the highway 20 (road to Da Lat) about 58km to Ta Lai crossroads. From this junction, you continue to turn left and keep going on another 24km to Cat Tien National Park (there will be direction boards along the route).
