by Trúc Lâm

One of the best destinations in the country for nature lovers is the Phước Bình National Park in Ninh Thuận Province.

A recent addition to the list of national parks and nature reserves in Việt Nam, the forest is located in Phước Bình Commune, Bác Ái District, about 70km northwest of Phan Rang Town, Ninh Thuận’s provincial capital, on the border with Lâm Đồng and Khánh Hòa provinces.

Bird watch: The park is home to several species of birds and flowers. — Photo vncreatures.ne

The 20,000ha park has a strict protection zone, a rehabilitation zone, an administration & service area and a buffer zone.

The wild nature of the surroundings makes it ideal for adventure tours, but those of a scientific bent of mind will be pleased to know about its biodiversity, carrying many genetic sources of rare flora and fauna.

It presents a habitat typical of a high mountain ecosystem with evergreen, humid tropical, broad-leaved and coniferous forests. It is home to rare flora like giáng hương (perfumed wood tree), talauma wood and dozens of orchids.

The park has 513 species of plants and more than 240 species of animals belonging to 91 families, many of which many are named on national and international lists of endangered species, including the java pangolin, flying squirrels, geckos, land dragons, iguanas, several birds and snakes.

The park has many ecotourism destinations like the Đá Bàn Waterfall, Đa Nhông and Đa Mây streams and Pi-năng Tắc Stone Trap.

Peaceful: A stream in the Phước Bình National Park. — Photo dukhach.net

The streams are part of the Cái River watershed. The river is the main source of water for the province, meeting the needs of domestic use and irrigation, as also industrial parks.

Going to this park on a motorbike is a thrill, with the route consisting of mountain roads winding through a wild, idyllic landscape that includes verdant rice fields and villages inhabited by ethnic groups.

The Đá Bàn Waterfall is a suitable site for picnics, camping and fishing.

To get here, you have to trek 1.5km through a thick bamboo forest.

Sturdy: A tree in the Phước Bình National Park. — Photo dukhach.net

The perennial waterfall, cascading down a height of three metres, is at its peak during the rainy season.

The area under the Đá Bàn Waterfall is very deep. Water flows rapidly, creating small ponds and lakes that visitors can spend time in.

The lakes are abundant in fish that can be caught, skewered and grilled on the spot. They are delicious when seasoned with chili, hot pepper and salt.

After the waterfall, the Pi-năng Tắc Stone Trap, bridges across the Cái River, suspension bridges, rice fields and villages are great places to visit. — VNS