Cat Tien National Park

With 1,655 flora species and 1,529 fauna species identified so far, Cat Tien National Park ranks third in Vietnam in terms of biodiversity. The park has been listed as a:

• World's Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2001
• Wetlands of International Importance by RAMSAR in 2005
• Protected and Conserved Area in IUCN Green List in 2024

Cat Tien National Park lies at the foot of the Central Highlands with  a landscape defined by gentle, rolling hills. Water catchments in the northern part of the park support swamps and lakes that expand and shrink with the seasons. The predominant vegetation consists of lowland semi-deciduous forest, lowland evergreen forest, and bamboo groves. Cat Tien National Park holds national importance for its role in conserving large mammals, including the Asian Elephant, Gaur, Black-shanked Douc Langur, and Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon populations. Browse through the text below for a closer insight.

► Content jump:

• Cat Tien National Park's Biodiversity
• Things To Do In Cat Tien National Park
• Best Time To Visit Cat Tien National Park

Habitats:

As located at the foot of the Central Highlands and reaching towards the Southern lowlands, Cat Tien National Park comprises 5 forest types:

1. Evergreen broad-leaved forest: dominated by Dipterocarpus family, Dalbergia bariensis (Burmese rosewood), Afzelia xylocarpa (makha), Pterocarpus macrocarpus (padauk or Siamese rosewood), etc.
2. Semi-deciduous broad-leaved forest: deciduous in the dry season such as Lagerstoemia calyculata (bằng lăng), Tetrameles nudiflora (tung), Anogeissus acuminata (buttontree), ect.
3. Mixed wood and bamboo forest: secondary forest; open canopy broad-leaved forest intervened by bamboo. Common wood species are Mesua ferrea (Ceylon ironwood), Lagerstoemia calyculata (guava crape myrtle), while the two main bamboo species are Bambusa procera and Gigantochloa mum.
4. Pure bamboo forest: secondary forest; bamboo species develop and invade the ground once home to primeval vegetation.
5. Wetland vegetation: dominant plants are flooded wood species such as Colona auriculata (bo-an), Barringtonia racemosa (fresh water mangrove) mixed with Erianthus arundinaceus (reed) and Saccharum spontaneum (wild sugarcane).

Cat Tien National Park's Biodiversity

Flora:

Total of 1,610 species, 724 genera, 162 families and subfamilies, 75 orders of vascular plants. The dominant species are from the Dipterocarpaceae, Fabaceae and Lythraceae families. 

Fauna:

A total of 1,529 species belonging to 222 families, 55 orders have been identified.

• Mammal: 113 species, 38 families, 12 orders. 
• Bird: 351 species, 64 families, 18 orders.
• Reptile: 109 species, 17 families, 4 orders. 
• Amphibian: 41 species, 6 families, 2 orders. 
• Fish: 159 species, 29 families, 9 orders.
• Insect: 756 species, 68 families, 10 orders. Butterflies alone, 450 species have been identified, accounting for more than 50% of Vietnam's total. 

Endenmic:

• Mammal: 18 mammals species endemic to the Indochina, 3 species endenmic to Vietnam (the black-shanked douc, the Vietnamese one-horned rhinoceros and the Southern buck).
• Bird: 3 species endemic to Cat Tien bird area (the orange-necked partridge, Grey peacock-pheasant, and the grey-faced tit-babbler).

Significant species in Vietnam's Red Book:

• Plant: 3 species (Afzelia xylocarpa/makha, Dalbergia bariensis/Burmese rosewood, Dalbergia cochinchinensis/Siamese rosewood, Pterocarpus macrocarpus/angsana tree)
• Mammal: 38 species listed in the Vietnam's Red Book (2007)
• Reptile: 18 species (including Siamese crocodile, reticulated python, Indian python).
• Amphibian: 3 species (Malacca horned toad, bony-headed toad, Anderson's frog)
• Fish: 1 species is listed in Vietnam's Red Book and the IUCN Red List (Mon fish)
• Insect: 2 species (common birdwing butterfly, five-bar swordtail butterfly)

Recommended trips to Cat Tien National Park:

• 2-Day Cat Tien Discovery
• 3-Day Cat Tien Discovery

Things To See In Cat Tien National Park

We are selective and only feature meaningful and worthwhile attractions. If you don't find what you are looking for below, please reach us for assistance.

• Botanical Garden

It’s a series of paths through the jungle, very close to the riverside. The names of plants and trees are included on the boards. Very pleasant walk.↓

• Bau Sau Lake

Most popular trekking route in Cat Tien. By bicycle or truck transfer to the trail head about 9 km from the HQ on the main park road. Then hike 5 km to reach the lake. You might see giant trees, rare peafowl, water birds, monkeys and of course Siamese crocodiles. From 2000 - 2005, 60 purebred Siamese freshwater crocodiles were reintroduced into Bau Sau Lake. Overnight stay at the Ranger Station gives opportunities to watch wildlife in the night and at dusk.↓

• Giant Spung Tree

The venerable tung tree surpasses 400 years in age, towering approximately 40 meters in height. Its diameter is so immense that even a dozen people cannot encircle it with their arms. Colossal trunk is supported with huge wall-like buttresses stretching for dozens of meters and extending on the ground.↓

• Giant Makha Tree

700 years old, huge trunk and 40 m tall. It was visited by Priminister Pham Van Dong on 12 Feb 1988, and therefore named after him.↓

• Six-trunked Sralao

The sralao tree features a massive root system from which six towering trunks emerge and reach skyward. Unfortunately, one of these trunks has suffered from rot, resulting in its top being broken down, while the remaining five stand tall and unaffected.. The tree is estimated to be over 300 years old. Not far away, an old cycas stands discretly among the bushes and other tall trees. Humble in size, the cycas is about 600 years old.↓

• Bulging-rooted Sralao

The sralao tree (guava crape myrtle) has a short part of the root that bulges out resembling a the bulging stem of a water hyacinth plant. The tree can be seen on the trekking trail, about 3 km before reaching to Bau Sau. This is a cluster of five sralao trees, each with 2-3m diameter trunks.↓

• Da Co Sralao Forest

The sralao forest of Da Co is located on the Da Co - Thac Troi ecological route. When the dry season comes (November - April) the leaves start turning from green to red and then fall off by the end of the of April. During the rainy season, the forest produces dense green leaves (May - October).↓

• Six-rooted Banyan

A massive banyan tree with six clusters of aerial roots ascending from the ground, converging in the air at the center and merging into a single canopy covering thousands of square metters.↓

• Hundred-trunk Banyan

The banyan is located at the end of the main road, approximately 6 kilometers beyond the Bau Sau trail head. This 400-year banyan is over 8 meters tall, spanning a small stream and extends for hundreds of meters. Its multitude of intertwined trunks and branches create a majestic yet peculiar form. To accommodate tourists, a small pond was constructed from the stream beneath the banyan. At the center of the lake, lies a small island adorned with three large trees.↓

• Chaulmoogra Forest

Cat Tien National Park has a beautiful forest of chaulmoogras. Chaulmoogras are large trees, growing up to 20m high and living along canals, streams and creeks. During the rain season, the fruits fall into the water and become food for many fish species. Chaulmoogras is a typical tree for the flooded ecosystem in Cat Tien National Park.(Hydnocarpus anthelmintica pierre).↓

• Dao Tien Primate Rescue Centre

Dao Tien Island spans across 58 hectares, situated independently on the Dong Nai River, approximately 2km/15 by boat from the Cat Tien National Park management center. The rescue center was established in July 2008, sprawled across a 3-hectare campus. The centre specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of endangered primates, all victims of the illegal wildlife trade and naturally found in the region, including: golden-cheeked gibbons, black shanked douc, silvered langur and pygmy loris. A visit must be booked in advance and is a perfect opportunity to see and learn about these amazing primates. (Cost: VND 300,000 - Boats depart at 8:30 am and 2 pm).↓

• Cat Tien Bear Rescue Centre 

The bear rescue center accommodates sun bears and Asian black bears, which have been rescued from the illegal trade in bile: a traditional medicine. In the morning, black bears can be seen in a semi-wild area from a viewing platform, but by early afternoon they prefer to return to their cages for shelter. ↓

Recommended trips to Cat Tien National Park:

• 2-Day Cat Tien Discovery
• 3-Day Cat Tien Discovery

Best Time To Visit Cat Tien National Park

• Mid-December to February marks the peak season, characterized by deciduous trees shedding their leaves, making it easier to spot birds and other wildlife in the relatively cool weather.
• March to May typically brings the hottest temperatures of the year (though the forest remains cooler than the city). This period sees many birds nesting and mammals venturing out in search of water.
• Mid-May to June, the rainy season begins, offering the best opportunity to witness clouds of butterflies and the rejuvenation of the forest after the dry spell. Trees blossom and bear fruit during this time, providing nourishment for animals and birds.
• July to September experiences the peak of the rainy season, with rivers swelling and occasionally flooding roads. Some paths may be inaccessible, but the vibrant flora, including flowering trees, shrubs, gingers, and orchids, creates an enchanting atmosphere. Visitors should be wary of leeches and dress appropriately.
• October to early December sees diminishing rainfall and temperatures, making it an excellent time to explore Vietnam. In the park, the lush forest persists, and the rapids remain lively.

Recommended trips to Cat Tien National Park:

• 2-Day Cat Tien Discovery
• 3-Day Cat Tien Discovery