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National park guide

Cat Tien National Park

Cat Tien National Park protects more than 71,000 hectares of lowland tropical forest, riverine habitat and seasonal wetlands in southern Vietnam. The park's current official website gives 71,187.9 hectares, while NBCA's national profile uses 71,920 hectares; both figures are retained by source. Bau Sau Wetlands and Seasonal Floodplain is Ramsar Site No. 1499, designated in 2005. Cat Tien is also central to the UNESCO Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, whose current UNESCO profile covers 756,000 hectares. In July 2026 the Government adopted Resolution 188/NQ-CP on transferring the park to Dong Nai management, with associated administrative-boundary work.

Overview

Understand the park as a protected ecological system, not simply a recreation area.

Cat Tien is one of Vietnam's most important surviving lowland tropical forest landscapes. Its ecological identity combines evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, bamboo and mixed forest, the Dong Nai River, lakes, ponds, seasonal floodplain and the internationally important Bau Sau wetland. The park's official 2026 website reports 71,187.9 hectares, more than 1,655 plant species and about 1,730 animal species. NBCA's current national profile instead uses a 71,920-hectare central-area figure, reflecting a different public boundary dataset. Bau Sau and its seasonal floodplain became Ramsar Site No. 1499 in 2005 and remain crucial habitat for freshwater biodiversity, waterbirds, Siamese crocodile and other threatened fauna. Cat Tien's international conservation context also includes the UNESCO biosphere programme: the former Cat Tien Biosphere Reserve, designated in 2001, evolved into the larger Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, whose current UNESCO profile gives 756,000 hectares. Cat Tien itself is not a UNESCO World Heritage property. On 16 July 2026, Resolution 188/NQ-CP established the Government's transfer of the park to Dong Nai management, with subsequent administrative-boundary adjustment work involving Dong Nai and Lam Dong. Visitor use—from cycling and forest walks to Bau Sau—should remain subordinate to wildlife protection, wetland integrity, quiet behavior and current park access controls.

Key things to understand

  • Use canonical type national-park and current provinceSlug dong-nai.
  • Keep 71,187.9 ha and 71,920 ha source-scoped rather than silently reconciling them.
  • Treat Bau Sau as a Ramsar wetland within Cat Tien, not as the whole national park.
  • Keep Ramsar Site No. 1499's 13,759-ha international wetland boundary separate from the park boundary.
  • Distinguish the national park from the much larger UNESCO Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve.
  • Do not confuse UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status with UNESCO World Heritage.
  • Recognize Cat Tien as a major surviving lowland tropical forest and wetland complex.
  • Never guarantee sightings of elephants, gaur, gibbons, crocodiles or other threatened wildlife.
  • Keep wildlife locations, nests, dens and patrol information non-public.
  • Use quiet, low-impact visitor behavior as a core part of wildlife interpretation.
  • Treat 2026 transfer to Dong Nai management and associated boundary work as time-sensitive governance.
  • Enable Nature Map only; no Heritage Map opt-in.
Park perspective

How to understand this protected landscape

Why it matters

Cat Tien protects one of the most important remaining lowland tropical forest–wetland systems in southern Vietnam and anchors conservation across the wider Dong Nai landscape.

What makes it distinctive

Extensive lowland rainforest, the Dong Nai River and the internationally important Bau Sau seasonal wetland coexist within one protected landscape.

What visitors often miss

The park's value is not measured by whether a visitor sees a flagship animal; intact habitat, wetland hydrology and quiet ecological processes are the real conservation story.

A huge lowland rainforest in Dong Nai where the forest meets the Dong Nai River and the Ramsar-listed Bau Sau wetlands, creating one of southern Vietnam's richest wildlife refuges.

Protected landscape

Why this national park exists

Identity
Protected Area Role
National park conserving lowland tropical forest, river systems, freshwater wetlands and threatened wildlife.
Wetland Role
Contains the internationally important Bau Sau Wetlands and Seasonal Floodplain Ramsar site.
Biosphere Role
A central conservation landscape within the UNESCO Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve.
River Role
The Dong Nai River surrounds and shapes much of the park landscape.
Visitor Role
One of southern Vietnam's leading conservation-oriented forest destinations.
Core Insight
Cat Tien's global significance comes from the combination of extensive lowland forest and natural seasonal freshwater wetlands in a heavily transformed regional landscape.
Designation
National Park History
Modern Cat Tien National Park developed through protection and consolidation of Nam Cat Tien, Tay Cat Tien and Cat Loc conservation landscapes; public sources use different establishment milestones depending on the institutional stage.
Biosphere2001
UNESCO designated the former Cat Tien Biosphere Reserve in 2001.
Biosphere2011
The biosphere landscape was expanded and renamed Dong Nai in 2011 according to NBCA's national profile.
Ramsar2005
Bau Sau Wetlands and Seasonal Floodplain was designated Ramsar Site No. 1499 on 4 August 2005.
Special National Monument
The park's official website records Special National Monument ranking in 2012.
Iucn Green List
The official park website records IUCN Green List recognition on 20 April 2024.
World Heritage
Not a UNESCO World Heritage property.
Landscape

Landscape and geology shape how the park works

Biodiversity
Official2026
The park's current website reports 1,655 plant species and approximately 1,730 animal species.
Nbca Context
NBCA and other public datasets can use different inventory totals and taxonomic vintages.
Importance
Cat Tien is a major reservoir of southern Vietnamese lowland forest and freshwater genetic diversity.
Ecosystems

Connected habitats shape the protected landscape

01

Evergreen broad-leaved forest

Humid tropical forest with tall trees and complex vertical structure.

Why it matters

Major refuge for southern Vietnam's lowland forest biodiversity.

Visitor impact

Noise, off-route use and extraction reduce habitat quality.

02

Semi-evergreen and mixed forest

Forest with seasonal canopy change and mixed composition.

Why it matters

Adds habitat diversity across soils and disturbance histories.

Visitor impact

Fragmentation can disrupt wildlife movement.

03

Bamboo forest

Bamboo-dominated or bamboo-rich forest mosaics recognized in UNESCO's biosphere description.

Why it matters

Distinct habitat and successional component.

Visitor impact

Fire and repeated disturbance can alter structure.

04

Seasonal freshwater wetlands

Lakes, flooded forest and grassland expanding strongly in the rainy season.

Why it matters

Internationally important Ramsar habitat.

Visitor impact

Disturbance, invasive plants and water-quality change are key concerns.

05

Dong Nai riverine habitat

Riverbanks, channels and riparian forest around the park.

Why it matters

Hydrological connectivity, freshwater habitat and landscape boundary.

Visitor impact

Waste and unmanaged boating can affect river ecology.

Conditions & safety

Weather, terrain and preparation shape the visit

Safety

Prepare for terrain, weather and changing conditions

Safety
Wetlands
  • Follow crocodile and wetland safety instructions
  • Stay within authorized viewing areas
Weather
  • Heavy rain can flood trails
  • Heat and humidity can be significant
River
  • Use authorized boats/crossings
Wildlife
  • Keep distance from large mammals and crocodiles
  • Never feed animals
Forest
  • Carry water
  • Use insect/tick protection as appropriate
  • Keep route and daylight margin
Emergency Rule
Use current park contacts and guide procedures.
Low Impact Practice
  • Keep voices low in wildlife habitat.
  • Use authorized trails, roads and wetland access.
  • Never feed or approach wildlife.
  • Do not publish sensitive species locations.
  • Do not carve or damage trees.
  • Do not collect plants, fungi, feathers or natural objects.
  • Carry out unmanaged waste.
  • Keep rivers and wetlands free of detergents and chemicals.
  • Minimize bird-call playback.
  • Respect Bau Sau access controls.
  • Use authorized night activities only.
  • Do not light unauthorized fires.
  • Do not assume drone permission.
  • Follow park, ranger and seasonal closure instructions.
Conservation

Visitor access is subordinate to protection

Current conservation context
Priorities
  • Lowland evergreen forest
  • Bau Sau wetlands
  • Siamese crocodile
  • Large mammals
  • Primates
  • Threatened birds
  • River and freshwater ecology
  • Invasive-species control
  • Anti-snare patrol
  • Environmental education
Pressures
  • Snaring and wildlife crime
  • Invasive wetland plants
  • Tourism disturbance
  • Forest-edge pressure
  • Hydrological change
  • Infrastructure
  • Climate change
2026 Context
NBCA's September 2026 feature describes ecotourism as a green-economy tool that must remain balanced with ecosystem protection.
Tourism Principle
Revenue and visitor access should reinforce, not dilute, conservation outcomes.
Biosphere reserve
Name
Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve
Former Name
Cat Tien Biosphere Reserve
Designation
Original nomination 2001; expanded/renamed Dong Nai in 2011 in national conservation reporting.
Unesco Current Area
756,000 ha.
Unesco Current Location
UNESCO currently lists the biosphere reserve in Dong Nai, southeastern Vietnam.
Ecology
UNESCO highlights Cat Tien tropical forest, evergreen broad-leaved forest, bamboo and mixed forest.
Identity Rule
The biosphere reserve is much larger than Cat Tien National Park and is a separate canonical landscape concept.
Heritage Rule
UNESCO MAB recognition is not UNESCO World Heritage.
Wildlife & visit planning

Observe responsibly and choose a visit that fits

Wildlife

Observe without turning wildlife into a target

Photography
Subjects
  • Lowland rainforest
  • Ancient trees
  • Bau Sau wetlands
  • Common birds
  • Forest roads
  • Dong Nai River
  • Wildlife at ethical distance
Wildlife
Use long focal lengths; no baiting, chasing or blocking movement.
Crocodiles
Photograph only from safe authorized areas.
Birds
Do not disturb nests or repeatedly use playback.
Geotagging
Avoid sensitive wildlife coordinates.
Drone
Do not assume permission in a national park/Ramsar landscape.
Access
Current Official Base
Dak Lua commune, Dong Nai city, Vietnam, according to the park's current website.
Regional Gateway
Road access from southeastern Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh City–Dong Nai region.
River Crossing
Visitor access patterns can involve crossing the Dong Nai River depending on the entrance/route.
Operational Rule
Transport, ferry/boat operation, park vehicles, Bau Sau transfers, accommodation and fees are time-sensitive.
Accessibility
Managed Center
Some visitor-center and road-based areas can be easier than remote forest routes.
Cycling Roads
Relatively even park roads may improve access for some visitors but are not universally barrier-free.
Bau Sau
Wetland access can involve long walking/transport segments and natural surfaces.
Best Strategy
Assess each current tour or facility separately.
Plan your visit

Choose a visit that matches your time and ability

01

Cat Tien rainforest introduction

Half to full day
  1. Park orientation
  2. Quiet forest walk or cycle
  3. Large-tree/forest interpretation
  4. River and biodiversity context

Best for: First-time visitors

02

Bau Sau wetland day

Full day according to current park logistics
  1. Early park transfer
  2. Authorized wetland approach
  3. Ramsar interpretation
  4. Bird/crocodile observation from safe areas
  5. Return under park schedule

Best for: Wildlife and wetland travelers

03

Cat Tien slow nature stay

1–2 nights
  1. Forest cycling/walking
  2. Early birding
  3. Bau Sau or another authorized habitat
  4. Environmental interpretation
  5. Authorized evening wildlife activity if available

Best for: Nature-focused travelers

Visitor fit

Who gets the most from the park

Wildlife travelerExceptional

Cat Tien protects one of southern Vietnam's richest remaining lowland wildlife landscapes.

BirdwatcherExceptional

Forest and Ramsar wetlands create highly varied bird habitat.

Wetland ecology travelerExceptional

Bau Sau is an internationally important seasonal freshwater wetland.

CyclistVery high on official routes

Managed forest roads make cycling a signature way to experience the park.

Family/environmental learnerHigh with selected activities

Accessible conservation interpretation can complement deeper forest excursions.

Mobility-limited visitorVariable

Some central facilities may work, while Bau Sau and natural trails can be difficult.

Avoid the wrong mental model

Common misconceptions

01

Cat Tien National Park is not the same thing as the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve.

02

Bau Sau Ramsar Site is a wetland within the park, not the entire park.

03

71,187.9 ha and 71,920 ha are different authoritative public boundary datasets.

04

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status is not World Heritage status.

05

Cat Tien appeared on UNESCO's World Heritage tentative list historically, but it is not an inscribed World Heritage property.

06

Ramsar species lists do not guarantee current sightings.

07

Wildlife tourism should not disclose precise locations.

08

2026 transfer to Dong Nai management is a governance process and should not be rewritten as an unsupported historical boundary claim.

09

Ecotourism leasing does not make protected forest unrestricted commercial space.

Timeline

How the protected landscape reached its present status

Pre-1990s

Separate protected landscapes

Nam Cat Tien, Tay Cat Tien and Cat Loc developed through earlier forest and nature-conservation stages.

1990s

Modern national-park consolidation

Protected landscapes are consolidated into the modern Cat Tien National Park framework.

2001

Cat Tien Biosphere Reserve designated

UNESCO recognizes the former Cat Tien Biosphere Reserve.

2005-08-04

Bau Sau becomes Ramsar Site No. 1499

The wetlands and seasonal floodplain gain international Ramsar recognition.

2011

Biosphere landscape expanded and renamed

National conservation reporting records expansion and renaming as Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve.

2012

Special National Monument

The park's official website records national special-monument ranking.

2024-04-20

IUCN Green List recognition

The park's official website records recognition on the IUCN Green List.

2025

2025–2030 ecotourism scheme approved

Current Dong Nai reporting states that the park's ecotourism, resort and recreation scheme was approved at the end of 2025.

2026-07-16

Government transfer decision

Resolution 188/NQ-CP provides for transfer of Cat Tien National Park to Dong Nai management.

2026-09

Conservation-led ecotourism emphasized

NBCA highlights the park's effort to balance forest-based tourism, green-economy benefits and ecosystem protection.

Glossary

Useful ecology and conservation terms

Cát Tiên
National park protecting lowland tropical forest and wetlands in southern Vietnam.
Bàu Sấu
Seasonal freshwater wetland complex within Cat Tien and Ramsar Site No. 1499.
Ramsar Site
Wetland recognized as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention.
Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO MAB landscape combining conservation, sustainable development and research; distinct from World Heritage.
Lowland tropical forest
Warm, humid forest at relatively low elevations; much reduced across densely settled southern Vietnam.
Seasonal floodplain
Land that expands into shallow wetland/flooded habitat during high-water periods and contracts in the dry season.
Siamese crocodile
Critically endangered freshwater crocodilian and flagship species of Bau Sau conservation.
IUCN Green List
International standard recognizing protected and conserved areas demonstrating effective and equitable management.
Invasive species
Non-native species capable of spreading and disrupting native ecosystems; Mimosa pigra and water hyacinth are concerns in Bau Sau documentation.
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is Cat Tien National Park?

A major lowland tropical forest and freshwater-wetland national park in southern Vietnam, canonically under Dong Nai for VietnamWaving.

How large is it?

The current park website gives 71,187.9 ha, while NBCA uses 71,920 ha. Both are retained with their source context.

Why are there two area figures?

They reflect different authoritative public boundary/reporting datasets; VietnamWaving does not silently reconcile them.

What is Bau Sau?

A seasonal freshwater wetland complex within Cat Tien, internationally designated as Ramsar Site No. 1499.

How large is the Ramsar site?

13,759 ha.

When was Bau Sau designated Ramsar?

4 August 2005.

Is all of Cat Tien a Ramsar site?

No. Ramsar status applies to the Bau Sau Wetlands and Seasonal Floodplain site.

Is Cat Tien a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve?

The former Cat Tien Biosphere Reserve was designated in 2001 and later expanded/renamed Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve. Cat Tien National Park is a core conservation landscape within that wider biosphere.

How large is the current Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve?

UNESCO's current profile gives 756,000 ha.

Is Cat Tien UNESCO World Heritage?

No. It is not an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage property.

Is Cat Tien on the IUCN Green List?

The park's official website states that it was recognized on 20 April 2024.

How many plant species are recorded?

The current official park website gives 1,655 plant species.

How many animal species are recorded?

The current official park website gives about 1,730 animal species.

Can I see Siamese crocodiles?

Bau Sau is important crocodile habitat, but sightings are not guaranteed and observation must follow park safety rules.

Will I see elephants or gaur?

No threatened-wildlife sighting can be guaranteed.

Can I cycle in Cat Tien?

Cycling is a well-established official visitor activity on managed routes.

Can I visit Bau Sau independently?

Follow current park logistics and access rules; do not assume unrestricted independent entry.

Can I do night wildlife viewing?

Only through currently authorized park activities and with low-disturbance behavior.

Who manages the park in 2026?

Resolution 188/NQ-CP dated 16 July 2026 provides for transfer to Dong Nai management, with implementation and related boundary work following the Government decision.

Can I collect plants or forest objects?

No. The park explicitly asks visitors not to carve trees or take things from the forest.

Can I fly a drone?

Do not assume permission; protected-area, wildlife and aviation rules apply.

What should I verify before visiting?

Current park entrance arrangements, transport, Bau Sau access, tours, accommodation, weather, seasonal closures and fees.

What is the best way to understand Cat Tien?

Experience both the lowland forest and freshwater-wetland system rather than treating the park only as a wildlife-sighting destination.

Sources

Primary references

Cat Tien National ParkOfficial website
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Nature and Biodiversity Conservation AgencyVườn quốc gia Cát Tiên, Đồng Nai
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Ramsar Sites Information ServiceBau Sau Wetlands and Seasonal Floodplain – Ramsar Site No. 1499
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UNESCO Man and the Biosphere ProgrammeDong Nai
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Dong Nai Provincial GovernmentChính phủ giao Vườn quốc gia Cát Tiên cho Đồng Nai quản lý
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Dak Lua Commune, Dong NaiBảo vệ rừng tại Vườn quốc gia Cát Tiên
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Dong Nai Provincial PortalCat Tien National Park leases forest environment for tourism development
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Nature and Biodiversity Conservation AgencyKhai thác giá trị đa dụng của rừng qua mô hình du lịch sinh thái tại Vườn Quốc gia Cát Tiên
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