Kon Ka Kinh National Park protects a major montane forest landscape in northeastern Gia Lai. It was established as a national park on 25 November 2002 under Decision 167/2002/QĐ-TTg and became an ASEAN Heritage Park on 18 December 2003. Current national biodiversity information gives 42,057.3 hectares for the park, including 33,565 hectares of natural forest, while ASEAN sources commonly retain the earlier 41,780-hectare extent. The park rises to 1,748 metres and straddles watersheds draining west toward the Mekong system and east toward the Ba River.
Overview
Understand the park as a protected ecological system, not simply a recreation area.
Kon Ka Kinh is one of the Central Highlands' defining montane protected forests. The park was upgraded from a nature reserve to national-park status in 2002 and recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003. Its steep terrain rises from lower southwestern areas below roughly 700 metres to the 1,748-metre Kon Ka Kinh summit. The landscape contains mountain evergreen forest, broadleaf forest and mixed broadleaf–conifer forest, including important Fokienia hodginsii habitat. Current Vietnamese conservation information gives a total park area of 42,057.3 hectares and 33,565 hectares of natural forest; ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity material commonly uses 41,780 hectares, reflecting an earlier/different boundary context. The park is a major watershed divide: eastern streams feed the Ba River toward the central coast, while western drainage belongs to the Mekong basin and contributes to the Yaly hydropower catchment. Biodiversity inventories vary by source and survey date. ASEAN material reports 42 mammal species and highlights threatened Indochinese fauna including grey-shanked douc, gibbons and Truong Son muntjac; plant counts range from 652 to 687 vascular species in different ASEAN datasets. In 2026, national reporting described more than 93% natural-forest cover and active wildlife rescue/release work, while Gia Lai formally recognized Kon Ka Kinh as a tourist destination under Decision 2173/QĐ-UBND. Tourism should remain conservation-led and subordinate to park routes, wildlife protection and current access rules.
Key things to understand
Read Kon Ka Kinh as a protected montane forest system rather than only a 1,748-metre summit.
Keep the 42,057.3-ha national figure and 41,780-ha ASEAN figure source-scoped.
Recognize ASEAN Heritage Park status as distinct from UNESCO World Heritage.
Understand the park as part of the larger UNESCO Kon Ha Nung Biosphere Reserve without duplicating the biosphere identity.
Follow the watershed divide from eastern Ba River tributaries to western Mekong drainage.
Look for the ecological transition between evergreen broadleaf and conifer–broadleaf forest.
Treat grey-shanked douc and other threatened wildlife as conservation priorities, never guaranteed sightings.
Use only authorized park routes and guidance.
Respect Bahnar and other local communities as living partners in the landscape rather than tourism props.
Treat waterfalls and streams as dynamic highland hydrology with wet-season hazards.
Keep current tourism development subordinate to biodiversity protection.
Never publish sensitive wildlife locations or facilitate forest-product collection.
Park perspective
How to understand this protected landscape
Why it matters
Kon Ka Kinh protects a high-elevation forest and watershed divide at the ecological heart of the Central Highlands and the wider Kon Ha Nung biosphere landscape.
What makes it distinctive
Montane broadleaf–conifer forest, threatened primates and drainage toward both the Mekong and central coast occur within one protected mountain system.
What visitors often miss
The 1,748-metre summit is only a landmark; the park's deeper importance is forest integrity, watersheds and connectivity with the wider biosphere reserve.
A high mountain national park in Gia Lai where rare primates, conifer–broadleaf forest and headwaters meet inside the UNESCO Kon Ha Nung biosphere landscape.
Protected landscape
Why this national park exists
Identity
Protected Area Role
National park protecting montane forest, threatened wildlife and major headwaters in the Central Highlands.
Asean Role
ASEAN Heritage Park since 2003.
Biosphere Role
One of the principal protected forest cores within the UNESCO Kon Ha Nung World Biosphere Reserve landscape.
Watershed Role
Protects drainage flowing toward both the Ba River and Mekong systems.
Visitor Role
Conservation-led forest destination with trekking, biodiversity interpretation and waterfall landscapes.
Core Insight
Kon Ka Kinh is both a high-elevation biodiversity refuge and a watershed divide linking the Central Highlands to two major drainage systems.
Designation
National Park
Established under Decision No. 167/2002/QĐ-TTg dated 25 November 2002 by conversion/upgrading from Kon Ka Kinh Nature Reserve.
Asean Heritage Park
Recognized on 18 December 2003.
Tourist Destination2026
Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee recognized the national park as a tourist destination under Decision No. 2173/QĐ-UBND in May 2026.
Biosphere Context
Kon Ka Kinh is a core protected area in the wider Kon Ha Nung World Biosphere Reserve.
World Heritage
Not a UNESCO World Heritage property.
Landscape
Landscape and geology shape how the park works
Biodiversity
Vascular Plants
ASEAN sources report 652 species in an older clearing-house dataset and 687 species in a newer ACB interpretive feature.
Mammals
42 species consistently reported in ASEAN material.
Birds
ASEAN datasets vary, including 160 species in an older clearing-house profile and 130 in a newer ACB feature.
Reptiles
29 species in ASEAN reporting.
Amphibians
22 species in ASEAN reporting.
Butterflies
205–209 species across ASEAN datasets.
Ecosystems
Connected habitats shape the protected landscape
01
Montane evergreen forest
Cooler high-elevation evergreen forest on mountain slopes and ridges.
Why it matters
Supports specialized and threatened highland species.
Visitor impact
Off-route disturbance, hunting and collection can degrade habitat.
02
Broadleaf evergreen forest
Species-rich tropical and subtropical broadleaf forest.
Why it matters
Major habitat and watershed cover.
Visitor impact
Fragmentation and selective extraction alter structure.
03
Mixed broadleaf–conifer forest
Broadleaf forest mixed with conifers including Fokienia.
Why it matters
Distinctive botanical feature of the park.
Visitor impact
Old trees and slow-growing conifers are vulnerable to extraction and fire.
04
Headwater stream network
Short, narrow, fast streams descending steep terrain.
Why it matters
Feeds major regional river systems and creates waterfall habitat.
Visitor impact
Waste, erosion and unsafe crossings can affect streams.
05
Forest-edge/community landscape
Protected forest interfaces with villages and livelihood areas.
Why it matters
Critical zone for coexistence, fire prevention and conservation participation.
Visitor impact
Unmanaged tourism can create waste and cultural pressure.
Conditions & safety
Weather, terrain and preparation shape the visit
Safety
Prepare for terrain, weather and changing conditions
Safety
Weather
Check heavy-rain forecasts
Expect sudden highland weather changes
Treat swollen streams seriously
Terrain
Use suitable footwear
Avoid unsafe waterfall edges
Do not underestimate elevation gain
Wildlife
Never feed, touch or pursue wildlife
Forest
Do not enter closed sectors
Do not light unauthorized fires
Emergency Rule
Use current park/local contacts rather than copied historic numbers.
Low Impact Practice
Use authorized park routes and guidance.
Do not collect plants, timber, rattan, honey or wildlife.
Do not feed or pursue animals.
Never publish sensitive threatened-species locations.
Keep bird-call playback minimal.
Carry out unmanaged waste.
Keep streams free of soaps and chemicals.
Do not light unauthorized fires.
Respect community land and cultural practices.
Do not block wildlife routes for photography.
Do not assume drone permission.
Follow park closures, weather warnings and ranger instructions.
Conservation
Visitor access is subordinate to protection
Current conservation context
Priorities
Natural forest integrity
Grey-shanked douc and threatened mammals
Montane birds
Mixed conifer forest
Watersheds
Wildlife rescue and release
Anti-poaching
Fire prevention
Community participation
Research and monitoring
Pressures
Wildlife exploitation
Forest-product extraction
Small-scale logging
Agricultural pressure
Infrastructure
Tourism disturbance
Fire
Climate change
Asean Small Grants Context
ACB identifies agriculture, wildlife/forest-product exploitation, logging, infrastructure and management capacity among conservation pressures.
Tourism Principle
The 2026 tourism designation should support conservation finance and interpretation rather than weaken protected-area controls.
Wildlife & visit planning
Observe responsibly and choose a visit that fits
Wildlife
Observe without turning wildlife into a target
Photography
Subjects
Montane forest
Kon Ka Kinh mountain landscape
Waterfalls
Old trees
Common birds
Wildlife when naturally encountered
Wildlife
Use telephoto distance; no baiting, chasing or location disclosure.
Waterfalls
Avoid exposed wet edges and obey barriers.
Community
Ask before photographing residents or cultural activities.
AHP, UNESCO biosphere, watershed and wildlife-rescue contexts overlap here.
TrekkerHigh with authorized routes
Steep highland terrain offers substantial forest travel but permissions and weather matter.
Community-focused travelerHigh when locally organized
Bahnar and other highland communities are integral to the surrounding landscape.
Mobility-limited visitorVariable
Natural forest routes are difficult, though selected managed areas may be more accessible.
Avoid the wrong mental model
Common misconceptions
01
Kon Ka Kinh is a national park, not a nature reserve, even though older generated registry data used nature-reserve as its type.
02
ASEAN Heritage Park recognition is not UNESCO World Heritage.
03
Kon Ka Kinh is within the UNESCO Kon Ha Nung Biosphere Reserve, but the park and biosphere are different identities.
04
The 42,057.3-ha and 41,780-ha figures belong to different national/ASEAN reporting contexts.
05
Natural-forest area and total park area are not the same measure.
06
Rare primate sightings are not guaranteed.
07
Tourist-destination recognition does not mean unrestricted forest access.
08
Older district and commune descriptions should not automatically be treated as current administrative geography.
Timeline
How the protected landscape reached its present status
1986 context
Earlier special-use forest protection
Kon Ka Kinh's conservation history predates national-park status through earlier special-use forest and nature-reserve protection.
1999 context
Biodiversity planning strengthens
Forest and bird conservation planning helps establish the basis for upgraded protection.
2002-11-25
National park established
Decision 167/2002/QĐ-TTg converts and upgrades Kon Ka Kinh Nature Reserve into a national park.
2003-12-18
ASEAN Heritage Park recognition
Kon Ka Kinh is recognized within the ASEAN Heritage Parks network.
2017–2019
Camera-trap fauna surveys
Research in the southern park documents fauna using systematic camera trapping at high elevations.
2021
Kon Ha Nung biosphere recognition context
The wider Kon Ha Nung landscape joins UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves, with Kon Ka Kinh as a principal conservation core.
2026-05
Tourist destination recognized
Gia Lai formally recognizes Kon Ka Kinh National Park as a tourist destination under Decision 2173/QĐ-UBND.
2026-06
Wildlife rescue and sustainable development highlighted
National biodiversity reporting documents wildlife rescue/release and conservation-oriented development, while reporting more than 93% natural forest.
Glossary
Useful ecology and conservation terms
Kon Ka Kinh
Name of the national park and its 1,748-metre mountain peak in Gia Lai.
ASEAN Heritage Park
Regional ASEAN recognition for protected areas of outstanding conservation importance; not UNESCO World Heritage.
Kon Ha Nung Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO-recognized wider landscape that includes Kon Ka Kinh and other protected/community areas.
Montane forest
Forest shaped by mountain elevation, generally cooler and often wetter than lower forest.
Fokienia hodginsii
Po mu/Fujian cypress, a notable conifer occurring in Kon Ka Kinh.
Grey-shanked douc
Pygathrix cinerea, a globally threatened primate of central Vietnam.
Watershed divide
High ground separating water flowing into different river systems.
Ba River
Major river draining parts of the Central Highlands east toward Vietnam's central coast.
Mekong basin
Vast river basin receiving drainage from the western side of the park.
Connections
Explore protected landscapes across Vietnam
Kon Ha Nung World Biosphere ReserveA large biosphere landscape linking protected forests, working landscapes and communities across the central highlands.
Kon Chu Rang Nature ReserveA formally protected forest reserve known for rugged terrain, biodiversity and dramatic waterfall systems.
Bahnar and Jrai Cultural LandscapesVillage life, communal architecture, ritual, music and oral traditions remain central to Gia Lai's cultural depth.
Explore Kon Ka Kinh with Park GuidanceUse authorised park routes and local guidance to experience high-elevation forest and wildlife habitat.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is Kon Ka Kinh National Park?
A montane national park in northeastern Gia Lai protecting highland forest, threatened wildlife and major watersheds.
When was it established?
25 November 2002 under Decision 167/2002/QĐ-TTg, upgrading the former nature reserve.
How large is it?
Current NBCA reporting gives 42,057.3 ha, while ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity material commonly uses 41,780 ha from a different reporting context.
How much natural forest does it contain?
NBCA reports 33,565 ha of natural forest; a June 2026 national report describes more than 93% natural-forest cover.
Is it an ASEAN Heritage Park?
Yes, since 18 December 2003.
Is it UNESCO World Heritage?
No.
Is it part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve?
Yes. It is a major protected core within the wider Kon Ha Nung World Biosphere Reserve.
How high is Kon Ka Kinh Mountain?
1,748 metres.
What forests occur there?
Mountain evergreen, broadleaf evergreen and mixed broadleaf–conifer forest.
Why is the park important for water?
It straddles drainage toward the Ba River and Mekong systems and protects important upstream catchments.
What wildlife is it known for?
ASEAN sources highlight threatened species including grey-shanked douc, gibbons and Truong Son muntjac.
Can I expect to see grey-shanked doucs?
No. Threatened wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
How many plant species are recorded?
ASEAN datasets use different totals, including 652 and 687 vascular plant species; the figures should remain tied to their survey/source context.
Why do bird counts differ?
Published inventories differ in survey period, coverage and methods; ASEAN sources include totals of 130 and 160 species.
Can I trek to the summit?
Only according to current park routes, permissions, weather and guidance requirements.
Is Kon Ka Kinh officially a tourist destination?
Yes. Gia Lai recognized it as a tourist destination in May 2026 under Decision 2173/QĐ-UBND.
Does that mean the forest is freely accessible?
No. National-park conservation and access controls remain primary.
What are the main hazards?
Steep terrain, heavy rain, slippery surfaces, fast streams, waterfall edges and remote forest sections.
Can I collect medicinal plants?
No. Traditional use by local communities does not authorize visitor collection.
Can I fly a drone?
Do not assume permission; national-park and aviation restrictions apply.
What should I check before visiting?
Current routes, guide requirements, weather, stream conditions, closures, transport and park notices.
What is the best way to experience the park?
Use authorized routes and park/local guidance, move slowly, focus on forest and watershed interpretation, and give wildlife space.
Sources
Primary references
Nature and Biodiversity Conservation AgencyKon Ka Kinh National Park, Gia Lai