In the heart of Thanh Hoa province, where majestic mountains and
forests embrace the gentle Muc river, Ben En National Park appears like a
beautiful ink painting, captivating anyone who sets foot there. With a
diverse ecosystem, beautiful landscapes and unique cultural features of
ethnic areas, Ben En is a destination not to be missed for those who love
nature and are eager to explore.
Introduction to Ben En National Park
Located in the northwest of Thanh Hoa province, Ben En National Park is one
of the most important nature reserves in Vietnam. Established in 1992, with
an area of nearly 15,000 hectares, Ben En boasts a diverse and rich
ecosystem, including primeval forests, rivers, lakes, caves and rare flora
and fauna.
The highlight of Ben En National Park is the vast Muc River Lake, likened to
"Ha Long bay on land" with dozens of large and small islands undulating on
the blue water surface. The charming landscape, combined with the fresh air,
creates a beautiful natural picture that captivates visitors's hearts.
In addition, Ben En is also home to many rare species of flora and fauna,
listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and the world. The fauna is rich with more
than 1,000 species, notably the white-cheeked black langur, black gibbon,
clouded leopard, Asian bear... The flora is equally diverse with more than
1,300 species, including many precious woods such as green lim, lotus , I...
Not only valuable for its natural beauty, Ben En also preserves the unique
cultural features of the Muong and Thai ethnic groups, with traditional
villages, unique festivals and attractive local products.
With rich ecotourism potential, Ben En National Park is increasingly
attracting a large number of tourists. Coming here, you will have the
opportunity to explore the wild nature, learn about indigenous culture and
enjoy wonderful moments of relaxation in the cool, peaceful green space.
How to get to Ben En National Park
Entrance fee to Ben En National Park is completely free. You only need to
pay for other services such as parking, boat rental on Muc River Lake, or
other experience activities.
Ben En National Park is located in Hai Long Commune, Nhu Xuan District,
Thanh Hoa Province, about 100km northwest of Thanh Hoa City. There are many
ways for you to get here, depending on your starting point and preferences.
Travel by bus:
From Hanoi: You can catch a bus at major bus stations such as
Giap Bat, My Dinh to Thanh Hoa. Then, from Thanh Hoa city, you continue to
catch a bus or hire a motorbike taxi to Ben En.
From other provinces: You can also take a bus to Thanh Hoa,
then continue to Ben En as instructed above.
Travel by personal mode of transport:
Car: If you are coming from Hanoi, you can follow National Highway 6
to Cam Thuy town, then turn onto Provincial Road 521 to Ben En.
Motorbike: This is a suitable choice for those who love backpacking
and want to be proactive about time. However, you need to make sure your
motorbike is good enough and you are healthy enough to travel a long
distance.
Things to do at Ben En National Park
Ben En National Park is not only a destination to admire beautiful scenery
but also a place where you can participate in many interesting activities,
bringing memorable experiences:
Explore Muc river
Exploring Muc riveris an experience not to be missed when coming to Ben En
National Park. The vast, clear lake, known as "Ha Long on land", will
fascinate you at first sight.
Cruising on the Muc River, you will be immersed in the majestic natural
scenery, with overlapping mountain ranges, small green islands undulating on
the water. You can stop at some islands to explore caves, climb mountains,
or simply relax on the soft white sand.
If you love active activities, try kayaking or swimming in the cool water.
And don't forget to capture the beautiful moments when the sunset falls on
the lake, creating a poetic and romantic natural picture.
Explore Ngoc Cave
Ngoc Cave, a precious gem in the heart of Ben En, will open before your eyes
a magical world of creation. To get here, you will follow a path winding
through the cool green forest, listening to the chirping of birds and the
murmuring of streams. Entering the cave, a large, cool space will welcome
you.
The faint light from outside shines in, reflecting on the stalactites of
various shapes, creating a shimmering, magical scene. With each step of
exploration, you will be amazed by the exquisite beauty of the stone
pillars, stalagmites, and stalactites that have been painstakingly carved by
nature over millions of years. In particular, in the middle of the cave
there is a large, silvery stone block, said to be the abode of fairies,
bringing luck and peace to those who admire it.
Don't forget to bring a flashlight to freely explore every corner of this
beautiful cave and capture impressive moments during your journey to explore
Ben En.
Trekking in the forest
Trekking in Ben En forest is an experience not to be missed for those who
love to explore and want to immerse themselves in wild nature. The trails
weave through the lush green canopy, bringing you closer to the diverse
ecosystem of the primeval forest. Underfoot are layers of dry leaves
rustling, birds chirping in the air, and somewhere faintly glimpse the
silhouettes of rare animals.
Every step on the trekking journey is an opportunity for you to feel the
majesty of the mountains and forests, breathe the fresh air and explore the
wonders of nature. Sometimes, you will encounter cool streams flowing
through crevices in the rocks, or small waterfalls hidden among the trees,
creating a poetic and romantic scene.
Trekking in Ben En forest is not only a physical activity but also a journey
of discovery and experience, helping you find peace and deep connection with
nature.
Visit the tribal village
One of the interesting experiences that cannot be missed when exploring Ben
En National Park is visiting the ethnic minority villages nestled in the
mountains and forests. Coming here, you will have the opportunity to immerse
yourself in the simple, rustic life of the ethnic people, learn about the
unique culture, traditional customs and enjoy specialties with the rich
flavor of the mountains and forests.
Thai village with traditional stilt houses, graceful xoe dances and
sophisticated brocade products will be an ideal stop for those who want to
explore ethnic culture.
Besides, you can also participate in cultural exchange activities,
experience the daily life of the people such as picking tea, weaving,
farming... All will bring you unforgettable memories of an interesting and
meaningful trip to explore Ben En.
Camping
Camping in the wild nature of Ben En National Park is an unforgettable
experience, bringing you into the rhythm of the mountains and forests. Find
a flat piece of land by the lake or nestle under the shade of an ancient
tree, set up a small tent, light a campfire and enjoy the fresh, peaceful
atmosphere.
At night, Ben En takes on a magical beauty under the moonlight and stars.
You can lie on the grass, watch the starry sky, listen to the chirping of
insects and the wind blowing through the leaves.
Early in the morning, waking up to the chirping of birds, watching the
sunrise on the poetic Muc River Lake is a wonderful moment to start a new
day. Camping in Ben En is not only a recreational activity but also an
opportunity for you to get close to nature, feel the majesty and tranquility
of the mountains and forests, and recharge yourself after busy days of life.
Visit the museum
Visiting the museum is an interesting stop not to be missed when exploring
Ben En National Park. Located right next to the welcome gate, the museum is
a place to preserve and display valuable artifacts and images, vividly
reflecting the nature, history and culture of this land.
Entering the spacious and airy space of the museum, you will have the
opportunity to admire diverse specimens of flora and fauna, from rare birds
and animals to typical trees of Ben En forest.
In addition, archaeological artifacts, production tools and traditional
household items of ethnic minorities will also help you understand more
about the rich cultural life of the community here. Don't forget to spend
time visiting the museum to gain a deeper insight into the value and
importance of Ben En National Park, before continuing your journey to
discover other wonders of nature.
Watching storks and sunset
One of the most magical moments when exploring Ben En National Park is the
sunset over Song Muc Lake. As the sun gradually sets behind the distant
mountains, the whole space seems to be dyed in a brilliant orange-yellow
color, reflecting sparklingly on the calm lake surface. At the same time,
flocks of pure white storks spread their wings, flying back to their nests
after a day looking for food.
The sight of hundreds of storks flying in the sunset sky creates a beautiful
natural picture, making people's hearts flutter. Sitting on a boat, letting
your soul follow the flying birds, watching the golden lake, you will feel
absolute peace and relaxation, forgetting all the worries of life. This
moment will definitely be an unforgettable memory in your journey to explore
Ben En National Park.
Some notes when exploring Ben En National Park
To ensure your exploration of Ben En National Park is safe and complete,
please note the following:
- Weather: Check the weather forecast before going, especially during
the rainy season (May to October) to avoid flash floods and landslides.
- Clothing: Wear comfortable, sweat-wicking clothing and footwear
suitable for walking or hiking. Bring a hat, raincoat, sunscreen and insect
repellent.
- Health: If you have health problems, consult your doctor before
going and bring necessary medication.
- Boating Safety: Always wear a life jacket when participating in
lake activities. Follow the boat operator's instructions and do not move
around or jump into the water on your own.
- Do not litter: Please keep public hygiene, do not litter. Bring
your own trash bags and collect your trash after use.
Ben En National Park, with its pristine beauty and rich biodiversity, is a
must-see destination for those who love nature and want to find peace.
Hopefully, this guide has provided you with useful information to prepare
for your upcoming journey to explore Ben En.
Vietnam Buffalo Travel is a tour company based in Hanoi. From letting visitors know the products
before you depart to ensuring you are safe and satisfied with our 24/7 on
call customer service. We have you covered. |
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