Going along the Highway 1A about 90 kilometers from Hanoi to Gian Khau intersection, turn right and keep going about 8 kilometers and then turn right and go two more kilometers, tourists will come to Van Long Nature Reserve.

With an area of more than 3,000 hectares, stretching in seven communes: Gia Hung, Lien Son, Gia Hoa, Gia Lap, Gia Tan, Gia Thanh and Gia Van, Van Long is the largest natural reserve of westlands in the northern Vietnam. It looks like a water-colour painting with spectacular limestone mountains.

Limestone mountains here are named after their specific shapes. In these mountains, there are 32 caves such as Ca cave, Bong cave, Rua cave, Chanh cave and Thung Doi cave, etc.

Forest ecosystems in Van Long is very abundant with about 722 species of plants, including 687 species of vascular plants, 35 species of aquatic plants; and 39 species of animals, including 12 rare aninals; as well as 38 species of frog, and reptile; and 100 species of birds.

Besides the beautiful landscapes, Van Long has many historical and cultural relics such as: Dich Long pagoda, Hoa Lu cave, shrines, etc.

Since 2005, local people here not only grow rice or breed cattle and poultry but also do extra jobs like travel services to introduce natural values and special features of local culuture to tourists.

Therefore, tourists coming here can not only experience daily life with local people but also have a chance to travel by cart.

In near future, Van Long will become a typical ecosystem tourist attraction in Ninh Binh city.

Source: TITC

Translated by Nguyen Quynh