Ninh Thuan, a land of sunshine and wind, is not only famous for its pristine beaches and immense sand dunes but also hides a precious gem of nature – Nui Chua National Park. This place is considered the “green lung” of Central Vietnam, with a diverse ecosystem and majestic landscapes, attracting visitors with its wild beauty and unique experiences. If you are planning to explore Ninh Thuan and immerse yourself in beautiful nature, Nui Chua National Park is a destination not to be missed. This article will provide a detailed guide for you to have a complete and memorable visit to this special national park.
Overview of Nui Chua National Park
Nui Chua National Park, located about 30km northeast of Phan Rang – Thap Cham city, belongs to Ninh Hai district and a small part of Thuan Bac district, Ninh Thuan province. With a total area of over 29,865 hectares, it is known as one of the driest areas in Vietnam, but possesses a unique coastal dry forest ecosystem, one of the most unique in Southeast Asia.
Nui Chua is not only an important nature reserve but also an attractive ecotourism destination. This national park is where mountains, sea, and forests converge, creating a diverse and rich natural picture. With an altitude of 1,039m above sea level, the peak of Nui Chua is known as the “roof” of Ninh Thuan, from where visitors can admire the panoramic view of the South Central Coast.
The flora and fauna in Nui Chua National Park are extremely rich and diverse, with hundreds of plant species, many of which are rare such as Thong Nang (Podocarpus neriifolius), Go Do (Afzelia xylocarpa), Cam Lai (Dalbergia cochinchinensis)… In terms of animals, this is home to many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, especially primates such as the black-shanked douc langur, a rare endemic species listed in the Vietnam and World Red Books. In addition, the sea area of Nui Chua is also where sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs, a fascinating natural phenomenon that attracts the attention of scientists and tourists.
With its biodiversity value and special natural landscapes, Nui Chua National Park was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2021, affirming the important position of this area in global nature conservation efforts.
Ideal Time to Visit
The weather in Nui Chua National Park is characterized by the dry tropical monsoon climate. The dry season lasts from December to August of the following year, and the short rainy season is from September to November. However, the rainfall here is insignificant.
The best time to visit Nui Chua National Park is during the dry season, especially from January to May. At this time, the weather is dry and sunny, very suitable for trekking, exploring nature, and swimming in the sea. Summer (June – August) can be quite hot, but this is also the time when sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs, bringing a unique experience for visitors.
If you want to avoid the harsh sun of Central Vietnam, spring (February – April) is a great choice. At this time, the weather is cool, trees are green, and forest flowers are in full bloom, creating a romantic and poetic scene. The rainy season (September – November) is not the most ideal time, but if you love tranquility and want to experience a pristine and deserted Nui Chua, this is also a good option.
How to Get to Nui Chua National Park
To get to Nui Chua National Park, you can choose from various means of transport depending on your starting point and personal preferences.
From Ho Chi Minh City or Southern provinces:
- Coach: There are many high-quality coach companies operating the Ho Chi Minh City – Ninh Thuan route, with a travel time of about 6-8 hours. Upon arrival in Phan Rang – Thap Cham city, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to Nui Chua National Park.
- Train: Train is an interesting option to enjoy the scenery along the way. You can take the train to Thap Cham station, then take a taxi or motorbike taxi to the national park.
- Plane: If you want to save time, you can fly to Cam Ranh Airport (Khanh Hoa), then take a bus or taxi for about 60km to reach Nui Chua National Park.
From Hanoi or Northern provinces:
- Plane: Flying to Cam Ranh Airport is the fastest option. From the airport, take a bus or taxi to Nui Chua National Park.
- Train: Taking the train from Hanoi to Thap Cham station takes about 25-30 hours. However, this is an interesting experience to see Vietnam from North to South.
- Coach: Sleeper buses from Hanoi to Ninh Thuan take about 30-35 hours.
Getting around in the national park:
To explore the attractions in Nui Chua National Park, you can use the following means of transport:
- Walking: Trekking is the most popular and favorite way to explore the pristine beauty of Nui Chua. The national park has many trails with varying levels of difficulty, suitable for all types of visitors.
- Bicycle: Rent a bicycle to travel on flat roads in the Hang Rai or Stone Park area.
- Electric car: In the Hang Rai area, there is an electric car service to pick up and drop off visitors to nearby attractions.
- Car/Motorbike: You can drive yourself or rent a motorbike to get to the national park gate and nearby attractions. However, to go deeper inside, you should use off-road vehicle services or walk to protect the environment.
Outstanding Attractions in Nui Chua National Park
Nui Chua National Park has many attractive destinations, each with its own beauty and unique experiences.
Stone Park
Stone Park in Nui Chua National Park
Stone Park is one of the most unique and impressive destinations in Nui Chua National Park. This place is a natural rock complex with countless bizarre shapes, formed over millions of years of geological formation. Large and small granite blocks are stacked on top of each other, creating a wild, majestic, and mysterious landscape.
The path to Stone Park is like a maze formed by drought-tolerant plants, with natural bonsai shapes. Here, visitors can freely explore, take photos, and enjoy the fresh air of the mountains. Looking down from above, you will see the vast ocean and Bai Thit – where sea turtles often come to lay eggs.
Hang Rai (Rai Cave)
Hang Rai – A masterpiece of nature by the coast of Ninh Thuan
Hang Rai (Rai Cave) is another famous landmark of Nui Chua National Park, attracting visitors with the wild and majestic beauty of ancient coral reefs jutting out from the sea. This place is known as the “waterfall on the sea” because the sea waves crashing against the rocks create white columns of water like waterfalls.
Hang Rai is not only a beautiful scenic spot but also an ideal place for photography, especially at sunrise or sunset. In addition, visitors can explore ancient coral reefs, swim in the sea, and participate in water sports.
Bai Thit (Thit Beach)
Bai Thit (Thit Beach) is a pristine beach located in the Nui Chua National Park area. This place is famous as one of the few locations on the mainland of Vietnam where sea turtles regularly come ashore to lay eggs. Bai Thit has fine white sand, clear blue water, and a quiet atmosphere, very suitable for those who want to find peace and immerse themselves in nature.
When visiting Bai Thit, visitors can swim, sunbathe, camp, and learn about sea turtle conservation efforts in the national park. However, it is important to maintain environmental hygiene and not affect the habitat of sea turtles.
Trekking Routes to Explore the Forest
Nui Chua National Park has many trekking routes with varying levels of difficulty, suitable for visitors who love exploration and adventure. Popular trekking routes include:
- Nui Chua Peak Route: Conquer Nui Chua peak, admire the panoramic view of the national park and Ninh Thuan sea. This route has a medium to high level of difficulty, suitable for people with good health and trekking experience.
- Hang Rai – Suoi Lo O Route: Explore Hang Rai, then follow Suoi Lo O stream to discover the forest ecosystem and waterfalls. This route has a medium level of difficulty, suitable for many types of visitors.
- Stone Park – Bai Thung Route: Walk through Stone Park, then to Bai Thung – another pristine beach of the national park. This route has an easy level of difficulty, suitable for families and trekking beginners.
When trekking, you should prepare enough drinking water, snacks, appropriate shoes, and sunscreen. You should go in groups and have a local guide to ensure safety and have the best experience.
Must-Try Experiences
In addition to visiting famous destinations, Nui Chua National Park also offers many other interesting experiences:
- Watching sea turtles lay eggs: During the breeding season (usually from June to October), you can join ecotourism tours to observe sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs at night. This is a very special and meaningful experience.
- Snorkeling to see coral reefs: The sea area of Nui Chua has many beautiful and diverse coral reefs and marine life. You can join snorkeling or diving tours to explore the underwater world.
- Overnight camping: The national park has some designated camping areas. Overnight camping in Nui Chua is a great experience to immerse yourself in wild nature and stargaze.
- Visiting the sea turtle rescue center: Learn about sea turtle conservation efforts at the national park’s rescue center, see sea turtles up close, and hear meaningful stories about environmental protection.
- Learning about the dry forest ecosystem: Participate in environmental education programs to learn about the unique dry forest ecosystem of Nui Chua, rare flora and fauna, and the importance of nature conservation.
Notes and Useful Tips When Visiting Nui Chua National Park
To have a smooth and safe visit to Nui Chua National Park, you need to note a few things:
- Prepare good health: If you plan to trek or participate in outdoor activities, make sure you are in good health and prepare physically before the trip.
- Bring necessary personal items: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, personal medications, water bottle, snacks, appropriate shoes for trekking, camera, phone…
- Book entrance tickets and services in advance: Especially during peak season or weekends, you should book entrance tickets, tours, electric cars, accommodation… in advance to ensure availability and good prices.
- Comply with the regulations of the national park: Do not litter indiscriminately, do not make noise, do not light campfires illegally, do not pick flowers or break branches, do not harm animals, plants, and the natural environment.
- Respect local culture: Ninh Thuan is a land with many ethnic minorities living. Respect the customs, traditions, and culture of the local people.
- Check weather information: Follow the weather forecast before going to prepare appropriate clothing and plan accordingly.
- Use a local guide: If you want to explore deeper into the national park and ensure safety, hire a local guide.
- Bring enough drinking water: Especially when trekking or participating in outdoor activities, bring enough drinking water to avoid dehydration.
- Protect your skin from the sun: Ninh Thuan has a hot and sunny climate, use sunscreen, hats, and long-sleeved shirts to protect your skin.
Conclusion
Nui Chua National Park is an attractive ecotourism destination, offering visitors unique and memorable natural experiences. From the majestic landscapes of Stone Park, the magical beauty of Hang Rai, to the pristine Bai Thit and the special dry forest ecosystem, Nui Chua will surely conquer the hearts of those who love nature and exploration. Plan your visit to Nui Chua National Park today to discover the precious gem of Ninh Thuan and enjoy wonderful moments amidst wild nature.