Buzz
Ben En National Park has long been dubbed as the “Halong Bay on land of Thanh”. Blessed by nature with its elegant and pristine beauty, it attracts millions of tourists every year and is a great pride of the people of Thanh. Just a 30-minute drive from the city center, it has gradually become an ideal choice for tourists both domestically and internationally at any time of the year. When one thinks of Ben En National Park, they often envision endless green forests teeming with rare animals, majestic caves, or pristine rivers surrounding the forest. However, to help tourists avoid feeling overwhelmed and confused before stepping into Ben En, in this article, we will mention the special captivating spots and dazzling photo corners at Ben En National Park.
Magnificent natural scenery at Ben En (Photo: Collection)
10 Enticing Activities at Ben En National Park
1. Boat Ride on Muc River
Ben En is a unique ecological complex that fully embodies the beauty of nature: trees, animals, rivers, mountains, caves... Among them, the most prominent is the gentle river surrounding Ben En Ecotourism Area, named Muc River.
The water here is very clear and gentle. In recent years, the management center of Ben En, Thanh Hoa has organized many boat tours on the river with more interesting experiences, attracting tourists. When buying a boat ticket, priced at about 60-120k per ticket depending on whether it's for children or adults, tourists can comfortably enjoy the fresh and pleasant air, sunbathe, relax, and admire the beautiful natural scenery along the banks.
Tourists boating on Muc River (Photo: Collection)
Moreover, there are many vibrant activities taking place on the river. Numerous young people prefer to explore and experience using floating tubes and diving gear to discover the riverbed. The water here is completely clean, gentle with slight ripples, ensuring safety, so this activity is truly exciting and enthusiastically supported by tourists.
Tourists swimming in Muc River (Photo: Collection)
During cool autumn days, there are rowing and swimming festivals held on Muc River. The tranquil river surface becomes lively with fun and educational activities involving locals as well as tourists, both domestic and foreign. Sometimes, tourists also directly participate in fishing on both sides of the riverbank. These special festivals always bring you moments of relaxation and opportunities to socialize, make friends with many new acquaintances.
Kayaking tour at Ben En (Photo: Collection)
2. Exploring Ngoc Cave
The Ben En Ecotourism Area, spanning nearly 15,000 hectares, conceals many mysterious wonders that challenge tourists to explore. One of the most captivating attractions is Ngoc Cave. This cave is named Ngoc because in its midst lies a shimmering rock made of stalactites from ancient times.
The mysterious gemstone within Ngoc Cave (photo: Collection)
According to local folklore, bathing in the stream flowing through Ngoc Cave will cleanse one of all sins and worldly impurities. While this has never been scientifically proven, local people continue to honor and pass on such beautiful folk beliefs. Tourists actively visit this place because they too wish to experience that sense of purity and immerse themselves in the gently flowing stream through Ngoc Cave.
Boating path to Ngoc Cave (Photo: Collection)
To reach Ngoc Cave, tourists can purchase a boat tour along the Ben En National Park. When encountering an ancient towering cajuput tree, you'll realize that it serves as the gateway to the cave. Tourists often sit on the rocky outcrops inside the cave and strike poses with the shimmering stalactites to capture memorable moments of their youth.
3. Visit the village
For the most authentic experiences in Ben En National Park, you should engage in activities to understand the area better, such as conversing and cooking with local residents directly.
Tranquil village in Ben En (Photo: Collection)
In Ben En eco-tourism area, the locals here have cultural practices such as drinking rice wine through straws, fishing by the Muc River, and various festivals. With their hospitable and kind spirits, local residents warmly welcome tourists and encourage them to join in cooking their hometown's specialties like sour soup made from snakehead fish, bitter soup made from pig liver and special bitter leaves of Ben En, or grilled fish right by the riverbank.
Hills surrounding the village in Ben En (Photo: Collection)
The prominent festivals of the locals here often take place at night and are held directly in their village. Activities usually include folk dancing around the fire, or storytelling and reciting poetry with the villagers.
Tourists participating in the traditional dance festival with locals (Photo: Collection)
4. Ben En Museum
Located right by the entrance gate of Ben En tourist area, the museum preserves ancient artifacts and historical relics left from long ago. The museum area is spacious and modern, with windows on all four sides for ventilation, surrounded by cherry blossom trees and offering a direct view of Muc Lake.
Inside the museum showcasing historical artifacts (Photo: Collection)
If you join a tour, the tour guide will introduce you to the prominent features and historical events related to the exhibited artifacts. However, please note that using cameras or any copying materials for the exhibits is not allowed here.
Outside the museum, there is also a large hall where tourists and management staff gather. In the middle of the hall, there is a large table, and they are ready to sit down and chat with guests over cups of deeply infused friendship tea.
Experience suggestion: Travel to Thanh Hoa
5. The forest with myriad animal species
As the habitat and sanctuary for some of the rarest animal species, Bến En National Park, Thanh Hoa is a diverse living environment that helps regulate the ecosystem. You might be surprised to hear the howl of wild deer or be delighted when a monkey leaps past you. It is a conservation site for rare species such as red-shanked doucs, Sarus cranes, and white-cheeked gibbons.
Some rare animal species in Bến En (photo: Collection)
Furthermore, Bến En tourist area also gathers a variety of rare plant species facing the risk of extinction, such as green lim trees, agarwood trees, and flaxen flowers. Carefully managed and propagated to protect their genes, these rare plant species have an ideal environment to thrive and grow.
A rare animal species in Bến En (photo: Collection)
Bến En is not just a beautiful destination for sightseeing and relaxation amidst nature, Bến En tourism is also a golden opportunity for us to raise awareness and enhance environmental protection, preserving and conserving rare and important flora and fauna species for human life.
6. Camping outside the forest area
Bến En National Forest has many flat hill areas suitable for lunch camping or overnight stays in tents. Camping activities here are allowed freely and free of charge. On the management side, there are also services for renting tents and suitable tarpaulins if you forget to prepare in advance. Suitable camping foods may include fast foods and canned foods that are both hygienic and tasty.
Overnight camping tents in the forest (photo: Collection)
Amidst the sweltering heat of summer or the gentle, refreshing air of autumn, the feeling of reading together or taking a midday nap amidst the pristine wilderness of the mountains is an incomparable experience. Traveling and camping are cherished activities that help bond emotionally and unwind after many days of exhausting work for large families or close-knit groups of friends.
Cooking activity next to the tent (photo: Collection)
However, when camping, it's essential to observe suitable locations and avoid directly creating fire pits in the forest, which can pose a risk of wildfires. After concluding camping activities at Bến En National Park, tourists should pay attention to cleaning up trash, bottles, and maintaining the land area clean.
7. Visit 20 small islands on the Mực river
It's no coincidence that tourists fondly call Bến En the miniature Ha Long Bay of Thanh Hoa. The islands here may be small but they are adorned with majestic rocky cliffs and captivating deep caves.
Nature on Ngọc Island (photo: Collection)
Exploring all 20 islands here would probably take 3 - 4 days, but tourists can choose a few outstanding and beautiful islands with romantic names like Hope Island, Ngọc Island, Happiness Island, Xuân Thái Cave... These islands are always filled with the melodious harmony of singing birds and the impressive scenery of wild animals. Tourists cannot resist stopping to capture a memorable photo.
8. Buy souvenirs
When traveling to any destination, you always want to remember it with unique souvenirs from that land. Bến En etches in your memory as the magnificent, enchanting nature that lingers in the hearts of visitors. The souvenir shop is located at the right corner of the tourist area, opposite the museum. Here, you can purchase sparkling bead necklaces, rustic painted conical hats, or straw hats to shield from the sun or rain. All products are handmade by local people and sold at very affordable prices. By buying these handmade products, tourists help improve the lives of local people and contribute to the conservation and development fund of Bến En tourist area.
Youth weaving conical hats in Bến En (photo: Collection)
9. Admire the sunset and storks on the Mực river
One of the highly anticipated moments for tourists to capture and preserve memorable moments is the sunset scene on the Mực river. The red sun shines on the river, creating a poetic glow that illuminates the surrounding circles. This is a beautiful moment to contemplate and reflect on life. The sunset scene only lasts from 15 to 30 minutes, so many tourists eagerly await to enjoy it before leaving.
Sunset on Mực river (photo: Collection)
Beside the sunset is another memorable scene: Flocks of white storks spreading their wings flying to the riverbank to find food.
Storks searching for food in the forests of Bến En (Photo: Collection)
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10. Farewell Lane of Bến En
When arriving and departing, the welcoming and farewell road to Bến En remains just as romantic. Stretching about 2km, the winding path is refreshing, with two rows of trees running along both sides, preserving the beauty of nature that touches the hearts of visitors.
The road leading to Bến En National Park (photo: Collection)
I still remember the moment of listening to old songs in the car and driving along that small road, my heart filled with gentle emotions that the picturesque scenery of Bến En brings.
Scenic nature along the return route (photo: Collection)
Passing through the weary and stressful days of urban life, visiting Bến En National Park helps you realize how small you are in front of nature and reminds you to return to explore the fascinating community of all species.
Above are the famous and interesting places that every traveler should experience when visiting Bến En National Park in Thanh Hóa. We hope you always have joyful and memorable experiences here.
