Sunny Field Eco Stilt House

When it got too hot to hike or bike, or when it rained, the balconies and hammocks were a lovely place to rest and look out over the Sông Đa River, a branch of the Dong Nai River. The lodge is in a serene, green village, a few minutes’ walk from restaurants if you want to try somewhere else. It’s around a 5 to 7 minute walk to the park ferry, and the team gave us motorbike rides there before our tours. Green Hope Lodge is a good value budget option near Cat Tien National Park. Luan speaks very good English, and he, the rest of the family and the team hosted us so warmly. They helped with general guidance, good food, laundry and great tours of the park and nearby area. Luan lowered the tour cost by adding other hotel guests to our groups, which also gave us a chance to meet fellow travelers. The groups still stayed under 7 people.

Luan manages the family business and was kind and helpful at every turn. He speaks excellent English and took care of tours, laundry and transport, making everything run smoothly. His bird guide was excellent too. The lodge is about a 10 minute walk from the park ferry. My room was rustic and a bit rusty, but had clean sheets, an intact mosquito net, hot water and good AC. Food came quickly, hot and tasty from a basic menu. There are lovely raised, covered gazebos along the river.

We stayed for three days, and Luan’s service was outstanding. You don’t need to plan or research your national park trip in advance. Just go to Green Lodge and talk to Luan, and he’ll get you informed and sorted. He gave us free rides around the area on his bike and arranged our bus to Ho Chi Minh himself, even coming to the bus stop to make sure we got on the right one. He made our trip to Cat Tien. The place has a beautiful, quiet riverside setting, with plenty of shaded seats and hammocks along the bank. It’s only a few minutes from the ferry. Rooms and the restaurant are simple, not a swanky five-star setup, but everything is comfortable and welcoming, just right after a day in the park. I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’d give them 6 stars if I could.

I had such a good time here. The staff are lovely, kind and welcoming. My river view room had access to amazing view terraces, and there are lots of little houses so you get plenty of privacy. Sure, a few little things aren’t perfect, but who cares when you can spend the afternoon relaxing in a hammock, feel the breeze and watch the sunset on the river? They offer tours too. I found the Cat Tien tours a bit pricey, but still enjoyed them a lot, and the groups are always small. The staff speak good English and helped me arrange the bus. They even waved me off when I left, which was so cute. Thank you! I wish I’d stayed longer.