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Nui Chua National Park: A gem in south-central Vietnam

Friday, January 05, 2024, 15:31 GMT+7
Nui Chua National Park: A gem in south-central Vietnam
The five-tiered waterfall, part of a special-use forest eco-tourism destination in Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the Nui Chua National Park management board

Nui Chua National Park, situated in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam, boasts a distinctive pattern of topography characterized by special-use forests, coastal areas, and semi-desert terrain.

This unique combination makes it an appealing destination for visitors, drawing nature enthusiasts from both Vietnam and around the globe.

The park offers an opportunity to experience a diverse ecosystem, showcasing the richness of its natural features and making it a prime location for those seeking an immersive encounter with varied landscapes.

Located in Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, the 106,000-hectare Nui Chua National Park is one of 11 biological reserves in Vietnam.

To reach the park, visitors must traverse the Vinh Hy - Binh Tien coastal road, also known as Provincial Road 702, which winds through mountains that flank the gorgeous Vietnam coast. 

The road leading to Nui Chua National Park,  Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

The road leading to Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Vinh Vy Bay, considered by many as one of Vietnam's most stunning water bodies, contributes to the region's enchanting allure, complemented by attractions like Rai Cave, the Binh Tien freshwater stream, O Lim Valley, and a majestic five-tiered waterfall.

Together, these natural wonders imbue the area with a captivating ambiance, creating a picturesque landscape that invites visitors to experience the beauty and serenity of this scenic wonderland.

Visitors camp at O Lim valley in Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam, in this photo supplied by the park’s management board.

Visitors camp at O Lim Valley in Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam, in this photo supplied by the park management board.

All of these sites are located between four and 15km from the Nui Chua National Park Management Board Office.

Tours to explore the special-use forest within the park will be led by guides who are either indigenous Raglai people, the local ethnic community, or national park staff.

This initiative, overseen by Nguyen Thanh Trung, deputy director of the center for environmental education and environmental services under the Nui Chua National Park management board, aims to provide visitors with an authentic and insightful experience while ensuring the conservation and sustainable management of the park's natural resources.

Visitors at Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Visitors walk at Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

In an effort to boost tourism to the park, the management board periodically introduces promotional campaigns for visitors.

“During the 2024 Lunar New Year, Nui Chua National Park will reduce ticket prices by 20 percent for groups that take part in special-use forest ecotourism services,” Trung said.

Wild scenery at Nui Chua National Park,  Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Wild scenery at Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Aside from tourists, the park is also a popular destination for environmental experts, including domestic and environmental researchers who aim to study Nui Chua’s diverse flora and fauna.

According to statistics from the park management board, 1,514 plant species, 27 of which are endemic, call Nui Chua National Park and Vietnam’s south- central region home.

Among them, 54 have been deemed as 'threatened' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List and the Vietnam Red Book.

The Nui Chua National Park is also home to 763 animal species belonging to 354 genera, 214 families, and 46 animal orders.

Preliminary statistics reveal that Nui Chua accommodates 60 rare animal species, with 48 of them classified as endangered according to the Vietnam Red Book, and 34 species facing the risk of global extinction.

Notable among them is the silver-backed chevrotain, a rare endemic species that was declared extinct in the wild over 30 years ago in Vietnam before being spotted in Nui Chua National Park in 2018. 

There are three ecosystems in Nui Chua National Park’s marine reserve, including a coral reef ecosystem, a seagrass ecosystem, and a tidal zone ecosystem.

The marine reserve within Nui Chua National Park boasts a thriving coral reef ecosystem, hosting an impressive array of biodiversity.

This includes 391 coral species from 16 families, two orders, and one class.

The marine reserve is home to 347 species of marine fish, spanning 47 families, 12 orders, and two classes.

Nui Chua National Park, which was recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve in April 2022, is the only place on the mainland where three species of sea turtles regularly lay eggs.

An expert assigned by the Nui Chua National Park management board evaluates local coral reefs as part of a protection initiative. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

An expert assigned by the Nui Chua National Park management board evaluates local coral reefs as part of a protection initiative. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

A foreign tourist takes photos at Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

A foreign tourist takes photos at Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Visitors at Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Visitors walk at Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

A visitor poses for a photo at Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

A visitor poses for a photo at Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Visitors at Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Visitors walk at Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Wild scenery at Nui Chua National Park,  Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Wild scenery at Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

A group of children and adults pose for a photo at the peak of Nui Chua (Chua mountain) with an altitude of more than 1,000 meters above sea level. Photo courtesy of the Nui Chua National Park management board.

A group of children and adults pose for a photo at the peak of Nui Chua (Chua Mountain) at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters above sea level. Photo courtesy of the Nui Chua National Park management board

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Duy Ngoc - Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

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