Van Long Nature Reserve

Known as the "Bay Without Waves", Van Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta, famous for its mirror-still water, dramatic karst cliffs and critically endangered Delacour’s langurs.

Spanning over 3,500 hectares in Gia Vien district, Van Long Nature Reserve offers a peaceful, untouched alternative to busier boat piers. Local villagers row flat-bottomed bamboo boats across shallow, glass-clear marshes where aquatic grasses sway beneath the surface.

Van Long is a globally important Ramsar wetland and home to the largest wild population of the critically endangered Delacour’s langur (Voọc mông trắng), which can often be spotted on the sheer limestone cliffs in the late afternoon.

Its dramatic karst silhouettes also served as one of the primary filming locations for Hollywood’s Kong: Skull Island.

Highlights of Van Long Nature Reserve

• 1.5-hour woven bamboo sampan ride across mirror-still wetlands
• Spot wild Delacour’s langurs and thousands of migratory waterbirds
• Explore Hang Ca, Hang Bong and Hang Rua limestone caves
• Peaceful dyke roads ideal for countryside Jeep & cycling routes

Things to do

Plan your visit

How to get there

Located in Gia Vien district, about 20 km northwest of Tam Coc and 85 km south of Hanoi.

Best time to visit

May–June for blooming pink lotus marshes; November–April for migratory birds and cool dry weather; late afternoon year-round for wildlife.

Local tips

Late afternoon (around 15:30–17:00) gives you the best chance of spotting white-shorts langurs on the cliffs and flocks of storks flying overhead.

Map

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Questions about Van Long Nature Reserve