Xuan Thuy National Park is a large alluvial area located south of the Red River estuary, about 150 km southeast of Hanoi, with a total natural area of ​​7,100 hectares. The fertile alluvium of the Red River and the sea has created wetlands with many species of wild flora and fauna and rare migratory birds.

How to get to Xuan Thuy National Park

You can choose some of the following means of transportation to travel to Xuan Thuy National Park:

Plane

For tourists far from Nam Dinh such as in the South or Central region, the most convenient means of transportation to get to Xuan Thuy National Park is by plane. However, currently Nam Dinh does not have a domestic airport, so you can book a plane ticket to Hanoi or Hai Phong airport and then catch a bus to Nam Dinh.

Coach

If you are in the neighboring provinces of Nam Dinh, the bus is the most suitable choice. Traffic is currently very developed, so many bus companies provide suitable routes for you at affordable prices.

Train

If you are in provinces far from Nam Dinh and are afraid to fly, then the train is the right choice for you. Depending on the location, the price of the train will range from 130,000 VND to 1,528,000 VND/ticket.

Motorcycles, cars

For those who live nearby or like to travel, motorbikes and cars are the best means of transportation. Traveling by motorbike will help you move more comfortably during travel.

Travel activities in Xuan Thuy National Park

1. Boat cruise tour

This tour allows you to get the most complete overview of the National Park. During the tour, you will visit a great area of the mangrove forest as well as the key sites of the area.  This tour begins at the Tien Hai Lighthouse and its Environmental Education Center across the Red River from Xuan Thuy. Then it takes you to Con Xanh Island, where you can learn about the history of land reclamation and dike construction. Afterwards, you will picnic under the cool shade of the Causerinas on Con Lu Island.  Depending on the season, you may be able to observe migratory birds finding food in the Tra River on your afternoon journey home.

2. Bird Watching tour

This tour is designed for anyone with particular interest in birds, from the most avid birder to the amateur admirer. It allows you to not only watch birds but also helps you gain understanding of the wetland ecosystem they inhabit. The tour starts at the National Park’s main office. Then, you will take the Vop River to Con Lu and Con Ngan islands.  During the winter, you will be able to observe several rare and endangered species of birds such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Grey-headed Lapwing, Asian Dowitcher and Black-faced Spoonbill who regularly stop in Xuan Thuy.  In addition, the tour will take you past the elevated huts of clam farmers, giving you a small glimpse of local life.

3. Walking & Cycling Tour

Walking and Cycling is best ways for you enjoy experience villager’s life style and gain understanding of the community’s relationship with the mangrove forest.  This tour gives you the best idea of how the local people work and live. Specifically, you will visit the shrimp ponds of Con Ngan Island and hike along dirt trails to the villages of Dien Bien and Tan Hong. The intensive aquaculture of these villages leads to a strict observation of the forest, birds, crabs, fish, and shrimp to ensure long-term profits. Walking by those shrimp ponds, you can get a feeling for the hard work of the locals. Cycling to discover the fishing work of local people from fishing harbor to market and how they can producing sea foods and developing fish sauce…

4. Related tours

• Xuan Thuy bird watching
• Xuan Thuy National Park Tours