Van Long Nature Reserve
Van Long nature reserve – your must-see attraction in Ninh Binh
Located in Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province, 90 km far from Hanoi center, Van Long nature reserve is not only famous for its outstanding landscapes of mountains & grottos but also for its largest area of wetland reserve where is the home to a rich fauna and flora, famously the living place of the biggest number of Delacour’s langurs(one of the most endangered primates in the world).Thanks to these reasons, Van Long has become a popular eco-tourism destination for tourists to choose when travelling to Ninh Binh.If you would like to make a trip to Van Long, we are here to support you with tailor made private Van Long tour or just rent a private car to Ninh Binh with driver.
Van Long nature reserve’s impressive landscapes
With an area of over 30.000 hectares of wetland, Van Long nature reserve impresses us with systems of majestic mountains & grottoes.The name Van Long (Van translaled as clouds, Long is sparkling) itself tells us about its outstanding beauty already.Its nickname is “a bay without waves” because the calm water surface is like a giant mirror reflecting mountains and clouds picturesquely.
To visit the reserve of Van Long Nature, we will take a bamboo boat, rowing through high reeds wildly growing along small streams to contemplate the reserve’s magnificent landscapes.We will pass by many beautiful mountains whose names are associated with interesting things & romantic love story ” In the old days, while passing these mountains, a fairy saw the charming landscapes and stopped to behold it. She met and fell in love with a poor man who lived on the mountain to study. Due to their love they were punished by god and turned into two mountains, called Nghien and Fairy Mountains. These mountains stand side by side but they have never become husband and wife”. You also see Meo Cao (scratching cat), Mam Xoi (tray of sticky rice), Hom Sach (box of books) and Da Ban (slate) moutains as well.
Together with impressive mountains, you also can visit many beautiful grottos with their unique beauty in Van Long nature reserve such as Ca Grotto, Bong Grotto, Rua Grotto, Chanh Grotto….The most beautiful grotto is Ca grotto in the Hoang Quyen Mountain. It has 250 meters length, 8 meters height and 10 meters width, the ceiling is stalactites with strange shapes like animal, fish… Especially, there has many catfish, tilapia… According to legend, ancient people caught a fish with 45 kilograms weight so that it named “Ca grotto”.Among the grottos in Van Long, Thung Doi is the highest grotto with 210 meters height above ground; the largest grotto is Bong grotto (16 meter).
Van Long nature reserve ’s biodiversity
Regarded as the largest wetland in the northern Vietnam, Van Long is the home to a rich fauna and flara.Nature lovers will not be disappointed with Van Long.The park has 39 fauna species and 722 flora species, many of which are listed in the Red Book of endangered species. In the dry season, Van Long is the wintering place of migratory birds from the North. There has dozens of pheasants, grey heron, teal and hundreds of white stork, night herons….
But the most important ones in this reserve is the Delacour’s langurs, one of the most endangered primates in the world.Van Long has biggest population of the Delacour’s langurs in Vietnam.The largest group of Delacour’s langurs lives on Hoang Quyen mountain.In your boat trip to visit Van Long reserve, you sometimescan see them on the mountains with your naked eye…
Explore Van Long nature reserve with Golden Holiday Travel
Your trip to Vietnam and your are interested in untouched nature & beautiful mountainscapes, Van Long nature reserve should be listed as a must-visited attractions in Ninh Binh.Doing trip to Ninh Binh, in need of travel support, travel services ( Ninh Binh tour packages or car hire Hanoi to Ninh Binh), don’t hesitate to drop us an email to [email protected] or contact us at +84.988451530 (whatsapp).
Enjoy your time in Ninh Binh, Vietnam !
Golden Holiday Travel Team.
Frequently Asked Questions
While Tam Coc and Trang An are famous for their dramatic landscapes, Van Long Nature Reserve is the largest wetland in Northern Vietnam and offers a much more “raw” and tranquil experience. It is a “no-motor” zone, meaning you won’t hear the hum of engines—only the sound of bamboo oars. It is also less crowded, making it the perfect choice for travelers seeking a quiet, authentic encounter with nature.
Yes, Van Long is the best place in the world to see the Delacour’s Langur in the wild. This critically endangered primate is native to the limestone mountains surrounding the reserve. To increase your chances of a sighting, it is recommended to take a boat tour in the late afternoon (between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM) when the langurs typically come down from the high cliffs to forage.
For the best photography lighting and wildlife sightings, visit Van Long during sunrise or sunset. The early morning mist over the “mirror-like” water creates a mystical atmosphere, while the late afternoon provides the best light for capturing the reflections of the limestone mountains. This is also when thousands of white herons and other migratory birds return to their nests.
A typical boat trip in Van Long lasts approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Local rowers (often local farmers) will take you through the reeds and into “Hang Ca” (the Big Cave). Because the water is shallow and crystal clear, you can see the aquatic plants and moss growing on the bottom, earning the reserve its nickname: “The Bay with No Waves.”
Van Long is located about 80km (50 miles) from Hanoi, taking roughly 2 hours by car. The most convenient way to visit is by booking a private car with Golden Holiday Travel. A private transfer allows you to combine Van Long with other nearby sites like Cuc Phuong National Park or Kenh Ga Hot Springs, which are difficult to reach via public transport or standard group tours.
As a licensed tour operator in Vietnam, Golden Holiday Travel specializes in eco-friendly and responsible tourism. We prioritize “off-the-beaten-path” destinations like Van Long to help our guests avoid the crowds. We provide professional guides who are knowledgeable about the local ecosystem and endangered species, ensuring an educational and respectful travel experience.
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