Plant Research (15 days)

Rainbow shower tree

Vietnam Flora & Cultural Discovery: A Nature & Heritage Journey

This immersive journey takes you through South Vietnam’s most stunning landscapes, offering a field survey and research experience focused on plant biodiversity and cultural exploration. Begin your expedition in Dong Nai culture and nature reserve, where lush forests harbor diverse flora and fauna. Venture into the Cat Tien national park, a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve home to rare plant species. Discover the misty peaks of Bidoup national park, famed for its ancient trees and rich ecosystems. Explore the rugged terrain of Nui Chua national park, known for its semi-arid climate and endemic species. Hon Ba nature reserve offers a glimpse into untouched wilderness, perfect for nature enthusiasts. Cap off your journey in Ho Chi Minh city, where history and modernity converge making it an unforgettable experience for researchers and explorers alike.

 Day 01: Ho Chi Minh city – Dong Nai culture and nature reserve

Morning: Pick-up from Tan Son Nhat Airport or hotel, breakfast en route (100 km / 3 – hour drive).

Dong Nai culture and nature reserve: Covering 1,000 km² with over 1,500 plant species, this reserve offers a unique forest and jungle ecosystem.

Ba Hao Swamp Exploration: Discover Yellow Mai (Ochna integerrima), Shower Orchid (Congea tomentosa), Golden Bladderwort (Utricularia aurea), Floating Heart (Nymphoides indica), Sensitive Neptunia (Neptunia oleracea), Desert Horse Purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum), Riverhemps (Sesbania sesban), Three-leaved Wild Vine (Causonis trifolia), Pond Apple (Annona glabra) and other tropical plants.

Afternoon: Transfer to Cat Tien National Park (100 km / 3 hour drive).

Evening: Dinner on the way and overnight stay at Cat Tien National Park.

Day 02-04: Cat Tien National Park

Home to 1,617 plant species, including 34 rare species in Vietnam’s Red List.

Trekking Routes: Explore wetlands, evergreen forests, bamboo forests, and semi-deciduous landscapes.

Discover unique flora such as Camelia cattiennensis, Orchid Lily (Barclaya longifolia), Annamese Burada (Parinari anamensis),, Mangifera dongnaiensis, Indian Mango (Mangifera indica), Bush Sorrel (Hibiscus surattensis), Pithraj Tree (Aphanamixis polystachya), Indrajao (Holarrhena pubescens), Water Jasmine (Wrightia religiosa). Slarlet Leawort (Plumbago indica), Perennial Water Primrose (Ludwigia perennis), Trailing Watermelon Begonia (Pellionia repens), Blue Trumpet Vine (Thunbergia laurifolia) and iconic giant trees like Dipterocarpus alatus, Tung Tree (Tetrameles nudiflora), Irvingia malayana, Matchbox Bean (Entada phaseoloides), and Giant Crepe-Myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa), Ficus sumatrana.

Stay within the national park with meals at forest ranger stations.

Day 05-06: Bidoup national park and Da Lat city

Transfer from Cat Tien to Da Lat (200 km /5-hour drive).

Bidoup-Nui Ba national park: Over 2,000 plant species, including 96 endemic species and 62 rare species.

Explore subtropical pine forests, home to Podocarpus neriifolius, Taxus wallichiana, Keteleria evelyniana, Fokienia hodginsii, Calocedrus macrolepsis, Pinus krempfii, Pinus dalatensis, Cephalotaxus mannii, Dacrydium elatum and newly discovered species like Lithocarpus bidoupensis, Lithocarpus hongiaoensis, Lithocarpus congtroiensis, Begonia hongiaoensis, Begonia lamdongiana, Camellia bidoupensis, Lasianthus bidoupensis, Dendrobium dalatensis, Dendrobium langbianensis, Elaeocarpus bidupensis, Gordonia bidupensis, Impatient langbianensis, Procris langbianensis, Rhododendron langbianensis,.

Travel from Bidoup national park to Da Lat (40 km / 1-hour drive).

Meals at local restaurants and teabreaks within the forest.

Day 07: Nui Chua National Park – Ninh Thuan Province

Transfer to Nui Chua National Park (150 km / 3.5-hours drive).

Day 08-09: Trek through Vietnam’s only semi-desert ecosystem with 1,500 plant species, including 54 in Vietnam’s Red List. Discover rare plants such as Aquilaria crassna, Dalbergia vietnamensis, Diospyros phanrangensis, Lithocarpus phanrangensis, Ficus phanrangensis, Daphniphyllum phanrangensis, Antidesma phanrangensis and Wrightia nuichuaensis.

Stay at Nui Chua National Park or resort in Ninh Thuan.

Day10-11: Hon Ba Nature Reserve

Transfer to Nui Chua National Park (40 km / 1 – hour drive).

Explore 752 plant species, including 43 listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book such as Astanopsis nhatrangensis, Diospyros nhatrangensis, Rhododendron nhatrangensis, Lithocarpus honbaensis, Ilex honbaensis, Medinilla honbaensis. Discover medicinal plants such as Ganoderma lucidum, Neolitsea buisanensis, and Scaphium glaucina. Visit Alexandre Yersin’s working house to learn about his research and contributions to Vietnam.

Day 12: Cam Ranh – Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer from Nha Trang to Cam Ranh Airport, to Ho Chi Minh City (1-hour flight or 05 – hour driver).

Day 13: Visit Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens and Vietnam National Herbarium.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon: Built between 1863-1880 with French Gothic architecture.

Independence Palace: Historical site marking the Fall of Saigon in 1975.

War Remnants Museum: Exhibits on the Vietnam War and First Indochina War.

Day 15: Shopping at Bến Thành Market – perfect for souvenirs, street food, and a vibrant local experience.

Why Choose This Tour?

Unmatched Nature – Explore 4 national parks & 2 nature reserves with endemic and rare species.

Rich History – Visit Independence Palace, War Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral

True Adventure – Trek, wildlife spotting & eco-friendly stays.

Local Culture – Shop at Bến Thành Market, taste authentic street foo

Feel the Generosity of Nature!

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