Information
Landmark: Van Long Nature ReserveCity: Ninh Binh
Country: Vietnam
Continent: Asia
Van Long Nature Reserve, Ninh Binh, Vietnam, Asia
Overview
Van Long Nature Reserve, tucked away in Gia Vien District of Ninh Binh Province, is the largest wetland sanctuary in northern Vietnam, where reeds sway gently over still green water.Nicknamed the “bay without waves,” Van Long greets visitors with towering limestone karsts, still emerald water, and flocks of waterbirds drifting in the quiet air.Nature lovers, photographers, and birdwatchers come here for the quiet, where the air smells of pine and the land feels untouched.Main Highlights of Van Long Nature Reserve, like the glassy wetland stretching under limestone cliffs.Van Long’s beauty unfolds in jagged limestone peaks rising high above broad marshes, their still waters mirroring the pale sky and the shadows of the mountains.The karst formations here resemble those in Trang An and Ha Long Bay, but you won’t find the crowds-just still water, limestone peaks, and a quiet that makes it perfect for slipping away into nature.The reserve’s most iconic limestone peaks-Meo Cao, Mam Xoi, and Hom Sach-rise sharply against the sky, their cliffs hiding caves like Ca, Rua, and Chanh, where you might hear the flutter of bats deep inside.Number two.Van Long Nature Reserve bursts with life, serving as a vital refuge for rare and endangered species, from the soft call of langurs to the glint of rare waterbirds in the reeds.Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) lives here in greater numbers than anywhere else on Earth, clinging to the limestone cliffs that rise pale against the green.You’ll often see these black-and-white langurs lounging on sun-warmed cliffs or leaping from branch to branch.More than 40 bird species live here, from the rare black-faced spoonbill to the white-bellied heron and the quick, darting little egret.The marsh teems with life-silver fish dart through the shallows, frogs croak from hidden pockets, and reeds sway gently in the breeze.Three.The best way to see Van Long is to glide through its wetlands in a traditional bamboo sampan, the oar dipping softly into still, green water.Most boat tours run about an hour and a half to two hours, giving you time to drift over glassy water, spot herons in the reeds, and slip quietly into shadowy caves.While Ninh Binh’s busier tourist areas buzz with noise, Van Long stays still and unspoiled, where you might only hear the soft ripple of water and the call of a distant bird.Number four stood alone, small and plain, like a pebble on an empty path.In Van Long, limestone caves hide in the cliffs, each shaped by time into strange ridges and hollows, and each carrying its own legend.Some standout caves include Ca Cave-also called Fish Cave-where cool water swirls around your ankles and silver fish dart past.Chanh Cave is small yet striking, with cool stone walls that glisten in the dim light, and it’s a popular stop on boat tours.Rua Cave, or Turtle Cave, gets its name from the way its rocky arch curves like the dome of a turtle’s shell.Number five comes next, as neat as a row of coins on a desk.The dry season, from November to April, is the perfect time for boat tours-calm, glassy water mirrors the bright sky and the jagged karst peaks.Rainy Season (May–October): The wetlands burst with green, frogs call from the reeds, and the higher water lets you paddle farther into the heart of the reserve.So, why make the trip to Van Long, where the water’s so still it mirrors the clouds?Van Long Nature Reserve offers the perfect getaway for anyone wanting to leave the crowds behind, trading noise for birdsong and quiet waters surrounded by untouched, sweeping views.Whether you’re scanning the reeds for rare herons, snapping photos, or drifting along in a quiet boat, Van Long delivers a one-of-a-kind escape in the heart of Vietnam’s countryside.
