Exploring Bach Ma National Park

From Hue City, follow National Highway 1A for about 40km south to Cau Hai town (Phu Loc district), then turn right for about 19km, and you will reach Bach Ma National Park. Located at the southernmost part of the Northern Truong Son mountain range, stretching from the Vietnam-Laos border to the East Sea, at an altitude of 1,450m above sea level, the Bach Ma mountain area has a clean, cool climate and is considered by foreign experts to be one of the most pleasant mountainous regions in Indochina.

Of its 22,031 hectares of natural area, Bach Ma National Park boasts 16,900 hectares of pristine forest. The forest is home to 1,406 plant species, including many valuable timber species such as: Terminalia chebula, Terminalia catappa, Terminalia catappa, Pterocarpus indicus, Pinus massoniana... (many trees with diameters of 80-100 cm) and over 300 species of valuable medicinal plants such as: Ba Gac, Binh Voi, La Khoi, Cay 7 La 1 Hoa...

The fauna of Bach Ma comprises 931 species, including 83 mammal species, many of which are rare and endangered such as bears, leopards, tigers, saola...; 333 bird species, 31 reptile species, 21 amphibian species, 39 fish species, 218 butterfly species, 178 leaf-eating beetle species, and 28 termite species. Notably, Bach Ma is home to rare bird species such as the peacock pheasant and the white-crested blue pheasant.

Visiting Bach Ma National Park, tourists will have the opportunity to explore fascinating nature trails, such as the Pheasant Trail leading to Pheasant Waterfall – home to many pheasants; the Rhododendron Trail leading to Rhododendron Waterfall, which cascades down streams year-round with white foam; the Five Lakes Trail leading to five interconnected lakes formed from a large stream; and the Vong Hai Dai Trail leading to the observation deck on the summit of Bach Ma. From here, visitors can admire the panoramic view of Hai Van Pass, Tuy Van Mountain, Cau Hai Lagoon, Tu Hien Estuary, Chan May Bay near the East Sea coast, and the mystical, tranquil atmosphere of Hue and Da Nang cities at night. In addition, visitors can explore a 300m trail through a forest of black pine trees, home to many ancient trees, some with diameters exceeding 1m and heights of over 30m. Furthermore, Bach Ma National Park also boasts an orchid collection garden – home to hundreds of orchid species with unique colors and shapes.

Previously, in 1932, the French built a large resort in Bach Ma, situated at an altitude of 1,000-1,444 meters above sea level. The resort included 139 villas, a market, a bank, a post office, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a 19km road system connecting National Highway 1A to the Bach Ma town center.

Currently, the Bach Ma National Park Management Board has restored and renovated the old villas into a tourist resort, named after species such as Do Quyen, Sao La, and Kim Giao. These villas still retain their French architectural style, typically only two stories high, with spiral staircases and wide corridors, and large windows facing the mountain peaks, creating an airy space that is both classic and modern.

The best time for tourists to visit Bach Ma is during the summer and early autumn, as the cool, even slightly chilly air makes the exploration and conquest journey even more enchanting. Here, scenic spots and historical sites blend together to create a unique and captivating charm.