The Bach Ma National Park is rich in subtropical and dense forests stretching across an area spanning nearly 22,000 hectares of unspoilt landscape. There are plenty of stunning hiking trails and mountain ranges in the region, and it is easily accessible; being located between Hue and Da Nang and reached using a regular tourist bus service.
What to expect
A visit to the Bach Ma summit on the Vietnam tour packages gives easy access to unique hiking trails for tourists interested in the local natural beauty, as well as the wildlife and history of the region. The majority of the trails are easily walked in a single day and aren’t dependent on special or expensive hiking gear. Plus, there is a campsite and very basic lodgings.
A visit to Bach Ma national park gives a unique opportunity to experience the tropical evergreen monsoon forest that lies below 90 metres, and the subtropical evergreen monsoon region above that mark.
Native wildlife that may be seen on the Bach Ma hike includes deer, wild pigs, stump-tailed macaques, leopard, Asiatic black bear and douc langur. But several of these wild animals are nocturnal and rarely seen during the day, so it can take a lot of persistence and patience to spot one. Also, this park is great for the bird watching enthusiast with plenty of different species that are best seen at the crack of dawn.
The Bach Ma national park has such an array of things to do and see that a multi-day trip is a practical option. Alternatively, a visit to the park makes a quiet stopover point for tourists on the Vietnam holiday planning a trip from Hue to Hoi An.
Most of the trails in Bach Ma are easily completed by young and old trekkers. Popular trails include the short Summit Trail, the Five Lakes Trail, and Rhododendron Trail. Plus, there are several others through the park. A great way to learn about the parks and its wildlife is to hire a local guide for the day. Typical costs at are about $10 and guides are usually found by the park headquarters.
How to get there
The Bach Ma national park is relatively easy to reach from both Hue and Hoi An. A trip along the coastal route by car or motorbike takes approx 60 minutes, while the trip from Hoi An will take a little under two hours. But, there is also the option to take the Hai Van Pass route with gives great scenery and adds about 60 minutes to the journey time.
Alternative travel options include the local bus service which costs about $2.65 from Hue or $3.50 from Da Nang. The drop off point is the bus station in Cau Hai village which is 3 km from the entrance to the park. From there a motorbike taxi can complete the journey, and typical costs are less than a dollar.
In addition to travel costs, there is also an entrance fee for the park which is about $1.75. On entering the park, it is necessary to hike uphill for nearly 15 km until you arrive at the main part of the Bach Ma national park.
