Ben En National Park

Ben En National Park is a protected nature area in Nhu Thanh and Nhu Xuan districts, about 46 km southwest of Thanh Hoa city in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Established in 1992, it covers about 14,735 hectares centered on the scenic Song Muc Lake with 21 forested islands. The park preserves primary and secondary tropical forest, diverse flora and fauna, limestone caves and is known for boating, trekking and nature sightseeing.

Visitors can expect a large forested landscape centered on Song Muc Lake with 21 islands covered in dense vegetation. The park offers boat trips on the lake, forested trekking trails, limestone caves such as Ngoc Cave, viewpoints over the lake and islands, and opportunities to observe diverse plants, birds and wildlife. Facilities include a visitor centre, boat rental services, guesthouses and restaurants near the lake shore.

Established on 27 January 1992 by Decision No. 33/CT of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Vietnam, Ben En was designated as a national park to protect the Song Muc Lake reservoir area, its islands and surrounding tropical forest ecosystem in Thanh Hoa Province.

The park area is home to Thai and Muong ethnic communities and preserves traditional forest-related livelihoods; the lake and forest landscape is valued locally for its natural scenery and as a recreational area for residents of Thanh Hoa Province.