Pu Mat National Park: An ideal natural destination in Nghe An

Pu Mat National Park has long been the most attractive eco-tourism destination in Nghe An.

Visitors coming here can not only admire the extremely diverse primeval forest ecosystem but also visit famous tourist attractions such as Khe Kem Waterfall, Khe Nuoc Moc, Sang Le Forest, and Yen Thanh Brocade Village.

At the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment (AMME-18) held in September 2025 in Langkawi (Malaysia), Pu Mat National Park (Nghe An) was officially recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park, along with Dong Nai Cultural-Nature Reserve (Dong Nai) and Xuan Thuy National Park (Ninh Binh).

This event not only affirms the efforts of Nghe An province in particular and Vietnam in general in conservation work, but also opens up great opportunities for sustainable ecotourism development.

High biodiversity

Pu Mat National Park is located at 18o46' North latitude and 104o24' East longitude in Nghe An province, with a core area of 94,804 hectares and a buffer zone of 86,000 hectares, spread over 3 communes: Tuong Duong, Con Cuong and Anh Son.

In Thai, Pu means mountain peak. Pu Mat is the name of the highest mountain peak in the area with an altitude of 1,841m above sea level. And this mountain peak's name is used to name the National Park.

Red-faced monkey in Pu Mat National Park. (Source: Vietnam Pictorial).

Pu Mat National Park possesses the most diverse flora and fauna ecosystem in the Central region with 2,494 plant species and 1,746 animal species. Among them, there are many species of flora and fauna listed in the Vietnam Red Book. Notably, this is also the first place to discover Saola individuals in Vietnam.

Visiting Pu Mat National Park, visitors will be delighted and amazed when witnessing pheasants, sun bears, saola, mountain goats... There is also a 100ha ancient Sang Le forest with trees up to 50m high. The nature here is wild, mysterious but no less poetic and majestic, giving visitors a very special feeling.

Pu Mat is beautiful in the majesty of the green forest, in the pristine beauty that seems untouched by human hands. Coming to Pu Mat, visitors will admire the wildness of the primeval forest with the highest biodiversity in Vietnam and many outstanding landscapes.

The majestic rows of ancient trees with large canopies, or the rows of tangled vines connecting to each other to form mysterious dense forests. Along with that are the chirping sounds of hundreds of species of forest birds,... All have created brilliant patches of color in the natural picture in the middle of the beautiful wilderness.

The best time to travel to Pu Mat National Park

Pu Mat is located in the tropical monsoon climate zone. The average annual rainfall is 1,800 mm and the average temperature is 23.5 degrees Celsius.

Tourists can visit Pu Mat at any time, but the ideal time is from June to August every year. At this time, the weather is dry, suitable for fun activities and exploration.

What to do in Pu Mat National Park?

Single-celled forest

The cajuput forest is about 40 km from the administrative area of the National Park, about 100 hectares wide, on Highway 7A, passing through Tuong Duong commune. This is an ancient forest, with cajuput trees about 50m high and providing shade all year round, especially green in the fall.

In 2014, the People's Committee of Nghe An province put the cajuput forest on the list of those in need of strict protection.

Boating, sightseeing, fishing on the river

This will certainly be one of the most memorable experiences for every visitor to Pu Mat National Park. Giang River is a beautiful river with many aquatic species living there.

Visitors can experience catching fish with locals on the Giang River. The poetic and peaceful river with towering limestone mountains on both sides is enough to captivate visitors and make them forget to blink.

Going fishing on the Giang River and enjoying the fruits of your labor is an interesting experience for many tourists.

Visit Khe Kem primeval waterfall

Khe Kem Waterfall is a destination that visitors cannot miss when coming to Pu Mat National Park. (Source: Vietnam Pictorial)

Khe Kem Waterfall is considered by researchers to be one of the most pristine waterfalls in Vietnam. About 20km south of Con Cuong town, Khe Kem Waterfall is located at an altitude of 150m.

The waterfall is called Bo Bo by the locals, which means "white silk strip" in Thai. The waterfall flows between the mountains and vegetation of Pu Mat National Park, creating a romantic scene. At the foot of the waterfall are lakes, with clean and clear water flowing down from the waterfall.

Looking up from the foot of the waterfall, visitors will have the feeling of an endless stream flowing with white foam, no different from a long silk strip.

Explore Moc stream

Suoi Moc has clear, rushing water, cool in the summer but warm in the winter. Visitors to Suoi Moc love to immerse themselves in this cool, clear water.

Explore the lives of indigenous people

Pu Mat National Park is mainly inhabited by the Thai ethnic group. They live in wooden stilt houses and earn their living by growing rice, weaving, and brocade weaving.

Visitors to the Thai village not only learn about their traditional brocade weaving but also participate in bamboo dancing and drink rice wine by the flickering campfire. This is also the residence of the Dan Lai ethnic group with their unique habit of sleeping sitting up.

Enjoy culinary specialties

Visitors to the national park will have the opportunity to enjoy many unique culinary dishes such as stir-fried water spinach with garlic, rau sang soup, Giang River fish dishes, and stir-fried frogs with vegetables./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/vuon-quoc-gia-pu-mat-diem-den-thien-nhien-ly-tuong-o-nghe-an-post1070873.vnp