Hoang Lien National Park

A valuable biosphere, the park is located in Viet Nam’s mountainous province of Lao Cai and covers the country’s highest mountain, Phan Xi Pang (Fansipan).

By ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

With photo contributions from The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHP.

Forest in Hoang Lien National Park by The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHPASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Forest types in the park include sub-montane dry evergreen forest; tropical montane deciduous forest; and sub-alpine forest; agricultural land, scrub land and savannah.

Rhododendron 1, The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHP, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Rhododendron 2, The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHP, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Abies delavayi fansipanensis by The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHPASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Rare plant species such as the globally-threatened Abies delavayi fansipanensis can only be found in Hoang Lien National Park.  Other protected species include the Fujian cypress and the Bac Xanh (green cypress), Thich Xi Pan, and Thich Sa Pa.

The park is home to a number of endangered species. These include the pygmy slow loris, big-headed turtle, Botsford's leaf-litter frog, impressed tortoise, and the recently identified Mount Fansipan Horned Frog.

Platysternon megacephalum, The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHP, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Leptobrachella botsfordi, The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHP, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Manouria impressa, The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHP, From the collection of: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
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Khướu mào cổ hung by The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHPASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Wildlife of Hoang Lien National Park

• 2,343 species of vascular plants
• 346 species of birds
• 96 species of mammals
• 63 species of reptiles
• 50 species of amphibians

Panax stipuleanatus by The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHPASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Sa Pa town lies near the mountain range and is famous for medicinal herbs and flowers, making it known as a capital town for orchids. 

Locals of Hoang Lien National Park by The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHPASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Community-based Tourism

The villages of Sin Chai, Cat Cat, and Tan Va offer visitors a cultural experience where they can get acquainted with the ways of life of the communities. 

Rice terraces by The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHPASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Community-based Tourism

Walks through the villages feature views of the rice fields, waterfalls, and the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

Mountains in Hoang Lien National Park by The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHPASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Ecotourism Activities

Visitors can visit Fansipan Mountain. The trails from nearby villages offer climbers a trek through the montane forests. Climbs generally take two days including an overnight camp near the summit. 

Other natural sites include the Thac Bac Waterfalls and Thuy Cong Grotto.

Hoang Lien National Park was one of the pilot sites of the Biodiversity-based Products (BBP) as an Economic Source for the Improvement of Livelihoods and Biodiversity Protection project funded by the German government through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit GmbH and implemented by the GFA Consulting Group and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.

Giao Co Lam (2016) by ASEAN Centre for BiodiversityASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Giao Co Lam (Gymnostemma pentaphyllum)

It has been found that drinking tea made from giao co lam  has various advantages.  As the plant’s benefits reached more and more people, the demand started to grow. This affected the forests of the Lao Cai province in Viet Nam.

Giao Co Lam of Hoang Lien National Park, Viet Nam (2018) by ASEAN Centre for BiodiversityASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Medicinal Bath Herbs (2016) by ASEAN Centre for BiodiversityASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Medicinal Bath Herbs

Hoang Lien National Park is one of the places where medicinal plants abound. Locals have processed these into medicinal bath herbs, and have been a good source of income for the people.

Medicinal Bath Herbs of Hoang Lien National Park, Viet Nam (2018) by ASEAN Centre for BiodiversityASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Streams in Hoang Lien National Park by The Management Board of the Hoang Lien AHPASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Learn more about Hoang Lien National Park

AHP logo by ACBASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

ASEAN Heritage Parks

ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) are protected areas of high conservation importance that provide valuable contributions to safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity. 

AHPs provide a window to the world, showcasing a wealth of biodiversity that is uniquely ASEAN.

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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