Van Long Nature Reserve, Ninh Binh Travel Guide

Country: Vietnam
Province: Ninh Binh

Tinh Ninh Binh Holiday Weather today

Date/time of update: November 5, 2024, 2:01 am, Timezone: GMT+7
Overcast Clouds

Temperature: 19.95°C
Temperature feels like: 20.35°C
Minimum Temperature: 19.95°C
Maximum Temperature: 19.95°C
Atmospheric pressure: 1021hPa
Humidity:90%
Visibility: 4266m
Wind speed: 3.62m/sec
Wind Direction: 7 degrees
Cloudiness: 100%
Sunrise: 2024-11-04 11:00:23
Sunset: 2024-11-05 10:20:06

Van Long Nature Reserve is flooded land covering 3,000 hectares with ranges of karst mountains all around in Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province. The nature reserve is 90km south of Hanoi via Route 1, 18km northwest of Ninh Binh City.

Travel Guide to Van Long Nature Reserve, What to See

1/ Flora and fauna

Van Long Nature Reserve is home to rich flora and fauna systems of which several are listed in Vietnam’s Red Book for endangered species. Different species of birds are spotted at Van Long and it is not unusual if you can get a sight of Delacour’s langurs (White-shanked Langur) jumping in the karstic mountains at Van Long. This species of langurs is among the world’s most critically endangered species, and Van Long is home to the most individuals of these langurs in Vietnam. Red-faced monkeys are also spotted at Van Long.

Clear water at Van Long

Visiting the nature reserve at the right time, you may also be overwhelmed by lotus blossoms and/or several hundreds of storks of different species.

Van Long Nature Reserve in the fog

2/ Limestone caves

The ranges of karst mountains are Van Long have 32 amazing limestone caves with amazing stalagmites and stalactites. The caves and the mountains offer spectacular photo opportunities. The Van Long nature reserve was a studio site for shooting the movie series: Kong, Skull Island.

A dark under water cave at Van Long Nature Reserve

A narrow path at Van Long

3/ Delacour’s Langur, Wildlife

Van Long Nature Reserve is home to some two hundred White-shanked langurs (Delacour’s Langurs) which makes it the single place with the largest population of this highly critical endangered species.

White-Shanked Langurs (Delacours' Langurs) at Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve. Courtesy of Saibal Sen.

4/ Birds and Water Fowls

Van Long is home to some species of local birds which can be found perched on trees on the mountainsides: bulbul, warbler… The water birds found at Van Long Nature Reserve include both native/resident birds and migratory ones: Little egrets, Chinese egrets, Asian openbill, Northern pintail, Northern shoveler, crake, jacana, black bittern...

Chinese Pond Heron. Courtesy of Saibal Sen.

Little Grebe at Van Long. Courtesy of Saibal Sen.

Common Kingfisher at Van Long. Courtesy of Saibal Sen.

Storks at Van Long

Bird Tours, Wildlife Tours, Cycling Tours, Things to Do

Visiting the Nature Reserve, you have to hire rowing boats for a one and a half or two hour trip. Sunrise and sunset in the summer are great moments for photography and for observing the crowded bird communities at Van Long.

A lonely stork at Van Long

AdventureGreen organizes day-trips, 2-day tours to Van Long and other attractions in Ninh Binh from Hanoi. Apart from sightseeing tours, we have wildlife tours, bird-watching tours, bicycle tours and adventure tours for families to explore the different natural beauties and cultural moments of Ninh Binh.

Fishing at Van Long