Van Long Nature Reserve – Such an Amazing Discovery in Ninh Binh

Whenever mentioning to Ninh Binh, tourists remember famous names such as Trang An, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Tam Coc – Bich Dong or Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.

But now you will know about Van Long Nature Reserve, considered no less attractive than other reputable destinations in Ninh Binh. If you are a true nature lover, Van Long Nature Reserve is specifically suitable for you since it seems to maintain all its pristine features.

Take a look at Van Long Nature Reserve

If you are considering the reason why it is highly appreciated, let’s find out all of the interesting things in Van Long Nature Reserve and answer yourself. Yet, at first, have some brief of Van Long wetland and know how to plan for a day trip to Van Long.

1. Van Long Natural Reserve Overview – Wonderful Beauty of Wild Nature

Located about 90 kilometers far from Hanoi, in Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province, Van Long Nature Reserve is known as not only a natural reserve of wetland but also a cultural relic.

You can have a chance to see locals go fishing or crab-catching on the river flow through Van Long

Established in 1998, the nature reserve of Van Long wetland has received 2 records of Vietnam, which are home to the biggest community of Delacour’s langur and the largest natural painting. Although open for such early tourism, Van Long wetland still remains its primitive appearance and original characters as it used to be.

Therefore, it has a great attraction to both native and international tourists. If you have an intention of finding a peaceful place to relax and escape from the hustling and bustling life of the crowded city, the wetland of Van Long is exactly proper for its tranquil atmosphere and undamaged beauty.

Van Long is a legendary land, a beautiful area and the largest natural reserve of wetlands. Here, guests can sit on a boat to visit Van Long. A large space with spectacular mountain ranges creates a natural wall surrounded by a vast expanse of water.

Along with Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and Tam Coc-Bich Dong National Park in the province, Van Long Nature Reserve is considered an overland equivalent of Halong Bay with imposing cliffs and mountains and vast lakes which form a stunning scene.

With an area of 30 square kilometers, Van Long natural reserve Van Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in Red River Delta and is considered as “Waveless bay” with tranquil water surface like a giant mirror reflecting spectacular natural sceneries.  It has 32 beautiful grottoes such as: Ca Grotto, Bong Grotto, Rua Grotto, Chanh Grotto. Each grotto has a unique beauty.

Besides, Van Long nature reserve has its highlight of diverse system of fauna and flora, including endangered species and a range of valuable plants.

You may want to visit:

• Thung Nham Bird Garden Ninh Binh
• Trang An Ninh Binh
• Cuc Phuong National Park Vietnam
• Kenh Ga floating village- off the beaten track with rarely poetic beauty

2. Van Long Nature Reserve Map and Ticket Price

Map

 From Hanoi Station to Van Long Nature Reserve

Ticket price

Row-boat rides take about 90 minutes, a maximum of two people. The price is 60.000 VND for boat ride and 20.000 VND for admission.

Make more information about Ninh Binh – update 2020

• Ninh Binh itinerary
• The most reliable Ninh Binh travel agency – that assistant you during your trip
• [2020] How To Travel From Hanoi to Ninh Binh

 What To Do in Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve? – List of Interesting Things and Places

• Take a 2-hour boat trip

In Van Long, you can join a boat ride with local people lasting for 2 hours on the river. You will have a good chance to explore the cave systems, observe the stunning beauty of the picturesque landscape and life of wild animals.

Van Long boat ride is definitely an amazing experience in Ninh Binh

Viewing Van Long wonderful scenery on a boat is a must-try

• Bike along the dike

After a boat trip exploring this spectacular wetland, you can participate in a biking route along the dike. From here you can have a view of Van Long and enjoy the tranquil space and fresh air of nature.

Biking in the fresh and pure atmosphere in Van Long

• Visit local families

More than experience in natural space in the nature reserve, tourists can also involve in the authentic daily life of Vietnamese people. Therefore, visitors can gain more understanding of the culture and lifestyle of Vietnamese in the countryside.

Locals will offer you lots of warmth and welcome

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Here are the most popular places in Van Long you can be interested in.

• Ca Cave – The most beautiful cave in the wetland

Located in Hoang Quyen Mountain, Ca Cave is considered the prettiest grotto in Van Long nature reserve. Ca cave owns its height of 8 meters, 250 meters length and 10 meters width. The ceiling contains stalactites with strange shapes like animals or fish.

Ca cave is ranked as the most splendid ones in Van Long

The grotto also includes plenty of catfish and tilapia. The special name of Ca cave was originated from an ancient legend that there was a fish weighing 45 kilograms caught in the cave so that it is called “Ca cave”.

• A range of unique grottos and mountains

Thung Doi makes an impression on visitors with its height of 210 meters above ground, whereas the largest grotto is Bong grotto (16 meters). Mountains’ strange names consist of  Nghien Mountain, Hom Sach Mountain, Da Ban Mountain, Meo Cao Mountain, Tien Co Mountain, Voi Dung Mountain, Canh Cong Mountain or Mo Coi Mountain.

The largest Bong grotto in Van Long Nature Reserve

• Van Long Forest – Highlight in the wetland

In the Van Long forest, there are 457 species of higher plants. In particular, it has 8 species recorded in Vietnam Red list.

Animals have 39 species, 12 species of rare animals such as white shorts langur accounted largest number in Vietnam, chamois, Bengal slow Loris, Asian black bear or stump-tailed macaque. In the 9 species recorded in Vietnam List such as king cobra, water monitor, oriental Rat snake, lizards.

You may accidentally see some buffaloes taking a bath in the river near Van Long Forest

In the dry season, Van Long is the wintering place of migratory birds from the North. There are dozens of pheasants, grey heron, teal and hundreds of white stork and night herons.

• Historical sites

Van Long nature reserve not only remains natural features but also maintains a variety of historical sites. Coming to Van Long nature reserve, tourists should visit the “Thi tree”-600 years old, Chi Le Temple, Mai Trung Temple, Dich Long cave, historic relic of Dinh Tien Hoang

Van Long Ninh Binh quick tips for first-time visitors

If you join the biking route and visit family in this area, you should book private tours in advance so that you can pay for a reasonable price and know which is the best things to do in Van Long.

Besides, time is also an important factor. The best time to visit Van Long nature reserve is September to April.

Let’s together find out all of the interesting things in Van Long Nature Reserve!

If you want more information or have any further questions, feel free to contact us, the AZ Local Team. We are always at your service!