National park · Vietnam
Xuan Thuy National ParkVườn quốc gia Xuân Thuỷ
Enter Xuan Thuy for birdwatching: pay VND 30,000 entry (check), bike from Giao Xuan, visit Jan–Mar for dry weather, avoid hot wet season Apr–Oct.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
2003
Best months
Jan–Mar
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
At a glance
- Country
- Vietnam
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Park covers about 150 km² (15,000 ha) – 7,100 ha core zone and 8,000 ha buffer zone (check official map).
- Established
- 2003
- Best months
- Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Giao Xuân
Xuan Thuy National Park protects a coastal wetland in Ninh Bình, home to over 250 bird species (including endangered spoon‑bills), mangroves, and rare mammals such as the fishing cat; it was Vietnam's first Ramsar site (1989) and became a national park in 2003.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2004Red River Delta World Biosphere Heritage Site.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 2003
Park covers about 150 km² (15,000 ha) – 7,100 ha core zone and 8,000 ha buffer zone (check official map).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Giao Xuân.
Why go
- Coastal wetland with over 250 bird species, many endangered.
- Mangrove boardwalk and river‑side trails for easy wildlife spotting.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool; good birding.
- FebDry, cool; migratory birds present.
- MarEnd of dry season, clear skies.
- AprHeat rises, rain starts.
- MayHot, occasional showers.
- JunHot, wet.
- JulHot, frequent rain.
- AugHot, wet.
- SepHot, rain still common.
- OctHot, wet.
- NovCool, dry start.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black‑faced Spoonbill, Spotted Greenshank, Spoon‑billed SandpiperOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Fishing Cat, Eurasian OtterNov–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Various migratory waterbirdsOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Giao Xuan commune | Main access point, visitor centre, bike rentals, homestays. | Open to public. |
| Core zone | Mangrove forest, bird‑watching trails, boardwalks. | Guided or self‑guided on marked paths. |
| Buffer zone | Agricultural villages, community eco‑tourism projects. | Open; respect local customs. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on official park map.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Current fee unknown; check with the park. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission (check).check
- Camping
- Not permitted in the core zone (check); stay in homestays.check
- Fires
- No open fires (check); use designated cooking facilities.check
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Guides
- Recommended for night wildlife walks (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Giao Xuan homestays
Simple rooms, meals with local families.
Near the park
Ninh Bình city hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range options, 30 min drive.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Mosquito‑borne disease low
Getting lost on unmarked paths high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main visitor centre reachable by car; short walks suitable for limited mobility.
- Boardwalks have gentle slopes but some trails are uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑run homestays in Giao Xuan.
- Choose guides certified by the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Xuan Thuy National Park?
The entry fee is VND 30,000 per adult (check official price).
What are the best hikes in Xuan Thuy National Park?
The birdwatching trail (2–4 h) and the mangrove boardwalk (1 h) are the most popular and easy to follow.
When is the best time to visit Xuan Thuy National Park?
January to March offers dry, cool weather and excellent birding; November to December is also good.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not allowed in the core zone; stay in nearby homestays or hotels.
Do I need a guide for birdwatching?
A guide is not required for the main trail, but hiring one improves chances of spotting rare species.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Xuan Thuy National Park
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