Xuan Thuy National Park, a precious green gem nestled in Nam Dinh province, has long been an attractive destination for those who love ecotourism and exploring unspoiled natural beauty. This place is not only a world biosphere reserve with a diverse and rich ecosystem but also an ideal stop to immerse yourself in a peaceful space, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Are you ready for an exciting ecotourism journey to Xuan Thuy National Park? Let’s explore the special things that await you in this unique mangrove land.
Introducing Xuan Thuy National Park: The Green Pearl of the Red River Delta
Xuan Thuy National Park, located at the mouth of the Red River in Giao Thuy district, Nam Dinh province, is a coastal wetland area of international importance. Formed from the alluvium accretion of the Red River over thousands of years, this place possesses a unique ecosystem with mangroves, mudflats, sand dunes, and brackish waters, creating an ideal habitat for countless species of flora and fauna.
Xuan Thuy National Park is an important world biosphere reserve in the Red River Delta regionXuan Thuy National Park, a vital biosphere reserve in the Red River Delta, Vietnam
Xuan Thuy is not just a natural area, but also carries profound historical and cultural values. In January 1989, it was honored to become the first Ramsar site in Southeast Asia, marking international recognition of the importance of this wetland in conserving waterbirds and biodiversity. In 2003, Xuan Thuy National Park was officially established under the Prime Minister’s decision, affirming its important role in Vietnam’s natural reserve system. In 2004, Xuan Thuy was further recognized by UNESCO as the core zone of the Red River Delta biosphere reserve, contributing to the global biosphere conservation network.
With an area of over 12,000 ha, Xuan Thuy National Park is home to hundreds of higher plant species, thousands of zooplankton and benthic species, and hundreds of fish and bird species. In particular, this place is an important stopover on the migration route of many rare birds from the North to the South and vice versa. In winter, Xuan Thuy becomes busier than ever when it welcomes tens of thousands of migratory birds to nest and forage, creating an extremely lively and magnificent natural picture.
Travel Experiences to Explore Xuan Thuy National Park From A to Z
To have a complete and meaningful ecotourism trip to Xuan Thuy National Park, careful preparation is extremely important. Here are some useful travel experiences that you should not miss:
The Best Time to Visit Xuan Thuy
The best time to visit Xuan Thuy National Park is from October to April of the following year. This is the migratory bird season, when the national park becomes the most vibrant and bustling with the appearance of thousands of rare bird species. Coming to Xuan Thuy at this time, you will have the opportunity to admire flocks of birds flying in the sky, watch them foraging on the mudflats, and listen to the cheerful chirping sounds throughout the area.
Visit Xuan Thuy National Park during the migratory bird season to admire the diverse and unique ecosystemVisitors observing migratory birds in Xuan Thuy National Park during peak season
Besides the migratory bird season, the weather during this time is also very favorable for sightseeing and exploration activities. The weather is usually dry, cool, and less rainy, very suitable for long walks, kayaking, camping, and other outdoor activities. If you want to avoid the hot and humid summer of Northern Vietnam, autumn and winter are the perfect times to explore Xuan Thuy National Park.
Directions to Xuan Thuy National Park
Xuan Thuy National Park is about 150km southeast of Hanoi city center. There are many means of transportation for you to choose from depending on your preferences and personal conditions:
- Motorbike: If you are a backpacking enthusiast and want to freely explore the beautiful scenery along the way, a motorbike is a great choice. From Hanoi, you can follow National Highway 1A or National Highway 21B to Nam Dinh, then continue towards Giao Thuy and ask for directions to Xuan Thuy National Park. The road is quite easy and safe, and you can combine sightseeing of peaceful countryside villages along the way.
- Coach: Coach is a popular and convenient means of transportation to Nam Dinh from Hanoi and other provinces. You can take a coach at bus stations such as Giap Bat, My Dinh, Nuoc Ngam… There are many bus routes to Nam Dinh, and you can easily find a suitable trip for your schedule. Upon arriving in Nam Dinh city, you can take a bus or taxi to Giao Thuy district and continue to Xuan Thuy National Park.
- Private car: If you are traveling in a group or family, a private car is the most comfortable and proactive option. You can drive yourself following Google Maps or other map applications to Xuan Thuy National Park. The road is quite easy to find and there are many signposts.
When you arrive in Giao Thuy district, you can ask local people for directions to the mangrove forest or Xuan Thuy National Park. People here are very friendly and enthusiastic, willing to give you directions.
Packing for Your Xuan Thuy Exploration Trip
To ensure your ecotourism trip to Xuan Thuy National Park goes smoothly and completely, you should prepare all the necessary luggage, including:
- Clothing: You should choose comfortable, breathable, sweat-absorbent clothing that is suitable for the weather. If traveling in winter, you should bring warm clothes, scarves, and hats to keep your body warm. If traveling in summer, you should bring sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses to protect your skin from the sun.
- Footwear: You should choose sports shoes or long-distance walking shoes for easy movement and participation in outdoor activities. Do not wear high heels or flip-flops as they will cause difficulties when walking in the mangrove forest or on the mudflats.
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses: Protect your skin and eyes from the harmful effects of the sun, especially when participating in outdoor activities during the day.
- Insect repellent: Xuan Thuy National Park is a natural area with many insects such as mosquitoes and leeches. You should bring insect repellent to avoid being bitten and contracting infectious diseases.
- Camera, phone: To capture memorable moments and the wonderful natural beauty at Xuan Thuy National Park. You should bring a backup battery or power bank to ensure devices are always working well.
- Map, compass (if needed): To orient yourself and avoid getting lost when exploring the national park, especially when hiking long distances or visiting less crowded areas.
- Snacks, drinks: You should bring snacks and drinks to replenish energy when participating in outdoor activities. You can also bring food to organize picnics or camping in the national park.
Top Experiences Not To Be Missed When Visiting Xuan Thuy National Park
Coming to Xuan Thuy National Park, you will have the opportunity to experience countless interesting and unique activities, explore the unspoiled natural beauty, and learn about the diverse ecosystem here.
Refer to great experiences when coming to Xuan Thuy National ParkA guide to must-try experiences at Xuan Thuy National Park
Birdwatching: A Paradise for Birds
Xuan Thuy National Park is known as a “bird paradise” because it is an important stopover for hundreds of migratory bird species on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. During the migratory bird season (October – April), you will have the opportunity to admire tens of thousands of birds of hundreds of different species gathering here, creating an extremely spectacular sight.
You can rent a boat or walk along trails in the national park to observe birds. Ideal birdwatching spots include the coastal mudflat area, swamps, and mangrove forests. If you are a photography enthusiast, don’t forget to bring a telephoto lens camera to capture memorable moments of rare bird species.
Exploring the Mangrove Forest by Boat
Xuan Thuy mangrove forest is one of the largest and most diverse mangrove ecosystems in Vietnam. Sitting on a boat weaving through small canals, you will admire the pristine and majestic beauty of the mangrove forest, explore the rich flora and fauna, and learn about the important role of mangrove forests in protecting the environment and human life.
Explore the unique beauty of the mangrove forest at Xuan Thuy National Park by boatBoat tour through the scenic mangrove forests of Xuan Thuy National Park
Boat rental services to visit the mangrove forest are very popular in Xuan Thuy National Park. You can easily rent a boat at boat docks near the national park center area. Boat rental prices are also quite affordable, suitable for the budget of many tourists.
Camping in the Wild Nature
If you want to experience the feeling of immersing yourself in wild nature and escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, camping is a great option. Xuan Thuy National Park has some permitted camping areas, you can contact the national park management board to register and get instructions on suitable camping locations.
Camping in the national park, you will have the opportunity to enjoy fresh air, stargaze at night, listen to birds singing and the sound of sea waves rustling. This is a memorable and unforgettable experience for those who love ecotourism and nature exploration.
Admiring the Beautiful Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise over the clam fields and sunset over the mangrove forest are beautiful moments that you should not miss when coming to Xuan Thuy National Park. Wake up early to welcome the brilliant sunrise over the sea, watching the first rays of sunlight shining down on the water and the sky. In the late afternoon, find an ideal location to watch the romantic sunset over the mangrove forest, when flocks of birds fly back to their nests and the sky turns bright orange.
The beauty of sunrise on the sea at Xuan Thuy National ParkSpectacular sunrise view over the sea in Xuan Thuy National Park
Sunrise and sunset moments in Xuan Thuy not only bring you wonderful visual experiences but also an opportunity to relax your soul and find peace in life.
Learning About Local Culture
Around Xuan Thuy National Park, there are many fishing villages and residential communities living. You can spend time exploring the local culture, learning about the life and customs of local people, visiting traditional architectural works such as communal houses, pagodas, temples, churches…
Explore the local cultural architecture near Xuan Thuy National ParkTraditional architecture and cultural sites near Xuan Thuy National Park
You can also enjoy traditional art forms such as Cheo singing, Van singing, watching water puppetry… and participate in local festivals to better understand the culture and people here.
Enjoying Nam Dinh Specialty Cuisine
Nam Dinh is famous for many attractive specialties, imbued with the flavor of the sea region. Coming to Xuan Thuy National Park, you should not miss the opportunity to enjoy delicious dishes such as nem chao (fermented pork), nem nam (fresh spring rolls), goi nhech (eel salad), nom sua (jellyfish salad), fresh seafood…
Sitting in the fresh natural space, enjoying delicious local specialties with rich local flavors will be an unforgettable culinary experience during your ecotourism trip to Xuan Thuy National Park.
Conclusion: Xuan Thuy National Park – An Ideal Destination for Ecotourism
Beautiful natural scenery at Xuan Thuy National ParkPicturesque landscape of Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh, Vietnam
Xuan Thuy National Park is truly an ideal destination for those who love ecotourism, want to explore unspoiled natural beauty, and learn about diverse ecosystems. With the ecotourism experiences in Xuan Thuy National Park that we shared above, we hope you will have a truly fun, meaningful, and memorable trip. If you want to combine ecotourism with trekking activities, please refer to Vietrek Travel’s Northern Vietnam trekking tours for more attractive options for your journey to explore Vietnam!