How to Visit Cát Tiên National Park: Gibbons and River Lodges

To visit Cát Tiên National Park from Ho Chi Minh City, you need to travel 150 kilometers north by private car or public bus, which takes about four hours. A two-day, one-night trip is the ideal duration to experience the main wildlife trails and night drives. The park entrance sits across the Đồng Nai River, accessible by a quick ferry ride. Private transfers offer the most reliable schedule, while local buses depart regularly from Miền Đông Bus Station. You must pay a small entrance fee of about 60,000 VND (from $2.50 approximate) at the park headquarters. Once inside, you can explore on foot, rent a bicycle, or hire a park jeep for longer distances.

To see the rare yellow-cheeked gibbons, you must book a guided morning trek starting at 5:00 AM. These primates are most active and vocal at dawn when they sing to define their territory. You will hike with a local ranger into the dense forest of Cát Tiên to listen for their calls. Spotting them requires patience, quiet movement, and binoculars. The trek lasts about three to four hours and covers uneven terrain. Because gibbons live high in the canopy, sightings are never guaranteed, but the morning walk itself offers excellent birdwatching. Please contact a Trip2VN specialist to coordinate with licensed park guides for this specific tour.

The night safari is a popular activity in Cát Tiên National Park to spot nocturnal wildlife. You will ride in an open-top pickup truck with a spotter who uses a large flashlight to find animals. The drive covers a fixed dirt track of about 10 kilometers through the grasslands. You can expect to see deer, wild boars, and occasionally civets feeding in the dark. The tour lasts approximately one hour, usually departing between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM. Keep your camera flash off to avoid blinding the animals. Prices start from $10 (approximate) per person depending on the group size.

Travelers have two main choices for accommodation: staying inside the park headquarters or at river lodges outside. Lodges located along the Đồng Nai River offer private balconies, hot water, and western-style dining. These eco-lodges provide a comfortable retreat after a long day of hiking. Staying inside the park headquarters is more basic, offering simple rooms with fan cooling and shared amenities. However, staying inside places you closer to the trailheads for early morning treks. For the best balance of comfort and access, we recommend booking a river lodge just outside the park boundary. Get a quote from Trip2VN to find the right lodge for your travel style.