National park guide

Song Thanh National Park

Understand Song Thanh National Park in western Da Nang: its upgrade from nature reserve, Annamite forest setting and conservation-first visitor planning.

Overview

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

Song Thanh National Park protects a large forest landscape in the former Nam Giang and Phuoc Son mountain areas, now in western Da Nang. It was upgraded from a nature reserve in 2020; the Prime Minister established its management board in 2021. The change matters: the current canonical type is national park, while older references may still call it a nature reserve. Its significance lies in Annamite forest conservation and the relationships between habitat, watersheds and neighbouring communities. A national park is not automatically an open trekking venue. Ask the management board whether an authorised visitor or educational programme is available, and do not turn sensitive species records into a wildlife-seeking itinerary. A conservation-focused visit should support the park’s rules and local livelihoods without entering restricted forest.

Key things to understand

Annamite forest: A large mountain-forest conservation landscape.
Forest watersheds: Mountain forest and streams form part of the wider catchment system.
Do not enter unapproved forest routes or publish precise sensitive-species locations.

Park perspective

How to understand this protected landscape

Why it matters

It explains a legally protected landscape through its conservation purpose rather than a generic scenic label.

What makes it distinctive

Annamite forest national park in western Da Nang

What visitors often miss

A protected-area designation does not make every road, island or forest trail open to visitors.

A national park protecting the western Annamite forest landscape

Protected landscape

Why this national park exists

Identity

Landscape Role: Annamite forest national park in western Da Nang
Visitor Role: A national park protecting the western Annamite forest landscape

Designation

Classification: National park
Upgrade: Upgraded from Song Thanh Nature Reserve in 2020.
Management Board: Established under Prime Minister’s Decision 1432/QD-TTg of 25 August 2021.
Historical Name: Song Thanh Nature Reserve is an earlier classification, not the current type.

Ecosystems

Connected habitats shape the protected landscape

Annamite forest

A large mountain-forest conservation landscape.

Why it matters

Protects ecological habitat rather than a collection of guaranteed animal sightings.

Forest watersheds

Mountain forest and streams form part of the wider catchment system.

Why it matters

Conservation extends beyond the areas that a visitor might see.

Conditions & safety

Weather, terrain and preparation shape the visit

Safety

Prepare for terrain, weather and changing conditions

Low Impact Practice

Stay within permitted routes and zones.
Leave plants, animals and natural material undisturbed.
Do not share precise locations of sensitive wildlife.

Conservation

Visitor access is subordinate to protection

Current conservation context

Priorities: Do not enter unapproved forest routes or publish precise sensitive-species locations.
Avoid wildlife products and use legitimate local services where a visit is authorised.
Visitor Contribution: Use authorised services, respect zoning and carry waste out.

Wildlife & visit planning

Observe responsibly and choose a visit that fits

Wildlife

Observe without turning wildlife into a target

Photography

Conduct: Photograph from permitted positions without trampling habitat or disturbing wildlife.
Equipment: Ask management before drone use or any specialised activity.

Access

Planning: Contact the national-park management board about authorised visits before planning a forest itinerary.
Interpretation: A managed educational visit can explain conservation without entry into sensitive areas.

Accessibility

Planning: Ask management about the exact visitor route and facilities before travel; a protected-area name does not establish an accessible entrance.

Plan your visit

Choose a visit that matches your time and ability

Visitor fit

Who gets the most from the park

Good when an authorised visit is available

A managed educational visit can explain conservation without entry into sensitive areas.

Avoid the wrong mental model

Common misconceptions

It was upgraded to a national park in 2020; older documents may use the earlier name.

Connections

Explore protected landscapes across Vietnam

Grang WaterfallA scenic waterfall associated with the western mountain routes.

Co Tu Community Villages of Western Da NangCo Tu villages across the western highlands preserve distinctive communal architecture, weaving, festivals and forest knowledge.

A Vuong–Tay Giang HighlandsA dramatic western landscape of mountains, rivers, Co Tu communities and dense forest.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Song Thanh still a nature reserve?

It was upgraded to a national park in 2020; older documents may use the earlier name.

Can I go trekking without contacting management?

This profile does not establish a public trekking route. Confirm permission and current arrangements first.

Will I see threatened wildlife?

No sightings are promised. Conservation records are not a visitor guarantee.

Is Grang Waterfall automatically a park entrance?

No. A nearby mountain destination does not establish a legal visitor entrance to the national park.

Sources

Primary references

Nature and Biodiversity Conservation AgencyVườn quốc gia Sông Thanh, Đà Nẵng

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Government of Viet NamDecision 1432/QD-TTg

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Government NewsQuảng Nam thành lập Vườn quốc gia Sông Thanh

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