Xuan Thuy National Park

The Xuan Thuy National Park is in the north of Vietnam in the Ninh Binh province. The park is a popular spot for birdwatching and similar eco-tourism activities.

Xuan Thuy was declared the country’s first Ramsar site by the Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in January 1989, it was upgraded from its status as a nature reserve and approved as a national park by the Prime Minister in 2003. Xuan Thuy was also included as part of the Red River Delta World Biosphere Heritage Site by UNESCO in October 2004.

The national park has a total area of 15,000 ha, of which 7,100 ha is core zone and 8,000 ha is a buffer zone with five communes including Giao Hai, Giao Xuan, Giao Lac, Giao An and Giao Thien.

The park is a rich, biodiverse coastal wetland environment that houses about 220 species of birds (including endangered species such as the Black-faced Spoonbill, Spotted Greenshank and Spoon-billed Sandpiper), 110 aquatic plant species, 500 species of benthos and zooplankton. Many aquatic species of high economic value, like shrimps, fish, crabs and oysters, are also found in the area. There are also some mammals such as the Fishing Cat, Eurasian Otter and Large Bandicoot-rat.

More than 250 species of bird have been identified in the park, including 100 full-time residents and 150 migratory species. With its coastal location at the mouth of a river, about a quarter of the birds in the park are aquatic species. Several of the species are endemic to the park area and 9 are seriously endangered.

Xuan Thuy National Park is in the tropical monsoon area and has two distinct seasons. The hot and wet season is from April until October and the cold and dry season is from November until March.

The National Park is accessible from one of the five nearby Communes which can be accessed from Hanoi by bus. Accommodation can be found at the nearby Communes, most notably Giao Xuan which offers a Community-based Eco-Tourist product for those who wish to visit Xuan Thuy and the surrounding towns.

Transport (bicycle or motorbike rental) will need to be organised from one of the nearby towns. A boat trip which can be booked from Giao Xuan is highly recommended.

The natural beauty of the park as well as that of the surrounding towns, particularly Giao Xuan. Also the amazing bio-diversity of the park which is especially attractive to bird-watchers.

There is limited accommodation to be found in the nearby towns but the home stay option in Giao Xuan is highly recommended as it gives tourists the opportunity to experience every day life in rural Vietnam.