Discover Cuc Phuong National Park - Vietnam's Most Beautiful Wilderness Paradise!

Cuc Phuong National Park - A Wild Paradise Awaiting Your Exploration

Cuc Phuong National Park is not only a vast nature reserve but also an ideal destination for those who love to explore the beauty of the earth. Situated at the intersection of three provinces: Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa, Cuc Phuong is a convergence of thousands of natural and cultural beauties. Each year, millions of visitors come here not only to admire the marvelous landscapes but also to experience unique cultural features and delicious local cuisine. Let's explore the fascinating aspects of this destination with 3 Regions Travel!

Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong National Park is Vietnam's first protected forest area, currently covering over 22,000 hectares. It stands out with its typical tropical climate, lush greenery year-round, and is home to thousands of diverse flora and fauna, including many rare species. Notably, from 2019 to 2021, Cuc Phuong was honored as Asia's Leading National Park by the World Travel Awards.

Where is Cuc Phuong National Park Located?

Located amidst the Tam Diep mountain range, Cuc Phuong National Park spans three provinces: Hoa Binh (5,000ha), Ninh Binh (11,350ha), and Thanh Hoa (5,850ha). Approximately 120km southwest of Hanoi, travelers can easily reach here by various means of transportation:

Bus from Hanoi to Cuc Phuong

Currently, there are two bus companies operating routes from Cuc Phuong to Hanoi, with pickup points at Giap Bat Bus Station:

• Special Transport Company
  • Departure time: 10 AM
  • Ticket price: 80,000 VND / ticket
  • Contact: 097 750 54 21 – 0912 607 066
• Phu Duyen Transport Company
  • Departure time: 3 PM
  • Ticket price: 80,000 VND / ticket
  • Contact: 0988 118 215 – 0919 065 325

From Hanoi to Cuc Phuong Forest by Personal Vehicle

If you want complete control over your transportation, consider taking a motorcycle or car via the Ninh Binh highway, turning onto QL1A and heading back. At the beginning of Ninh Binh city, you'll pass along the road through Trang An, which includes Hoa Lu Temple, Bai Dinh tourist area, and Chuong Cave, leading you to Cuc Phuong National Park.

Visitor Guide to Cuc Phuong National Park

Entrance Fees for Cuc Phuong National Park

The park is open from 6 AM to 10 PM, and you need to purchase a ticket at the gate:

• Adults: 60,000 VND / ticket
• Students: 20,000 VND / ticket (remember to bring your student ID)
• Children: 10,000 VND / ticket
• Free for children under 5 years old

The Best Times to Visit Cuc Phuong Forest Throughout the Year

November – January Next Year

This is the time when Northern Vietnam becomes quite cold, and the weather conditions in the forest can be quite complex, making it unsuitable for travel.

February – April

During this period, the weather gradually shifts towards summer, with mild sunshine and lush greenery, ideal for sightseeing and experiences. Visiting the national park at this time, you'll have the chance to encounter some bird species such as pheasants, rock doves, flower thrushes, and white-billed woodpeckers.

Mid-April – Early May

The summer season in Cuc Phuong National Park is considered the most beautiful time here, known as the Cuc Phuong butterfly season. You will be amazed by the stunning scenery created by thousands of colorful butterflies fluttering around, and you can even gently reach out to touch them.

If you travel by motorcycle or car deep into Cuc Phuong National Park during the butterfly season, remember to drive slowly to welcome the butterflies. Also, don’t forget to charge your phone to capture beautiful moments!

May – September

Autumn weather is typically sunny, and since it's not peak tourist season, it’s a good choice for those looking to explore without the crowd. However, there can be occasional storms, so make sure to check the weather before your trip to avoid trekking on wet, slippery days.

What Makes Cuc Phuong National Park Special?

Visitor Center

Located right at the entrance of the national park, this is where you will complete necessary procedures before exploring, as well as a place providing rest and dining services.

Built with the support of AusAid and FFI, the visitor center at Cuc Phuong Forest plays a role in providing information about the natural resources and environment of the national park. Through displayed images and knowledge, it raises awareness and responsibility for conservation among visitors and local residents.

Primate Rescue Center

Established in 1994, this center is dedicated to rescuing, nurturing, caring for, and preserving around 150 individuals of 15 rare primate species. Among them, there are 6 endemic species not preserved by any other rescue centers, including white-cheeked gibbons, black gibbons, Cat Ba langurs, Ha Tinh langurs, grey-legged langurs, and Lao langurs.

In addition to rescue tasks, this center at Cuc Phuong National Park also conducts programs for the re-release of animals into the wild and studies the living habits, diets, and habitats of primates. Here, you will have the opportunity to observe these animals up close and learn about their lives in the most intimate way possible.

Botanical Garden

Listed in the International Botanical Garden Directory, this area is established to preserve rare plant species not only in Cuc Phuong National Park but also globally. Covering an area of 167 hectares, it has successfully planted and collected 811 rare plant species for gene preservation and as a source for reforestation programs in Vietnam.

The rich and diverse ecosystem of the tropical forest has also become a habitat for many rare animal species threatened with extinction, such as langurs, pangolins, and various types of turtles.

Old Man Cave

Within the national park, there are many relics and caves from prehistoric times with numerous artifacts and traces of primitive human activity. Among them, the Old Man Cave preserves many signs of habitation and burial, making it one of the sites that require special research and protection. Located about 4km from the entrance to Cuc Phuong Forest in Ninh Binh, this cave is situated at an altitude of about 50m, featuring three spacious, dry, and cool chambers, along with a cave entrance that draws in breezes from the mountain top. Inside, there is also a narrow, dark, and humid passage, home to 19 species of bats – the most in the world.

During excavations in 1966, the Vietnam Archaeological Institute, in collaboration with Cuc Phuong National Park and German experts, discovered a very rich and diverse cultural layer here. In addition to tools such as axes or knives made of stone and decorated pottery, thick coal ash, mountain snails, stream snails, and bones from species like gibbons, monkeys, wild boars, deer, and bears were also found. The archaeological team also excavated three ancient graves with remarkably intact human skeletons, dating back over 7,500 years.

The Ancient Tree in Cuc Phuong Forest

After visiting the Old Man Cave, turn left and continue about 3km to reach the famous ancient tree location in Cuc Phuong National Park. Standing over 45m tall with a diameter of 5m, this tree has a sturdy root system extending above ground up to 20m. It is home to many rare animals such as red-headed woodpeckers, giant flying squirrels, and white pheasants.

Silver Cloud Peak

With an altitude of 648m, from the top of Silver Cloud Peak, you can admire the wild and vast scenery of Cuc Phuong Forest, including Hoa Lu Temple, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and the distant Trang An landscape. However, the path to the summit is quite steep and rocky, with a total distance of 7km round trip, taking about 4 to 5 hours to hike.

Therefore, the journey to conquer Silver Cloud Peak in Cuc Phuong National Park is only for those in good health. If you have heart conditions or other ailments affecting your endurance, it is advisable not to participate.

The Thousand-Year-Old Chò Tree

As one of the monumental trees in Vietnam, the thousand-year-old chò tree in Cuc Phuong Forest, Ninh Binh, symbolizes the diversity of the plant life here. It stands over 50m tall, consisting of 3 main trunks with a diameter of 5m, and a single trunk that is too big for more than 20 people to hug.

The tree shows signs of aging, dryness, and decay, so the park management has erected a fence around it to protect it, both to keep visitors at a safe distance and to prevent any danger the tree may pose.

The Sấu Tree in Cuc Phuong National Park

With a height of about 45m, nearly the same as the ancient chò tree, the sấu tree has a root system that reaches up to 10m high and extends over 20m long. The area around the tree is filled with thick vines and other plants such as wind orchids, and many species of birds like woodpeckers.

Puluong Nature Reserve

Mường Village

This is a village located deep within Cuc Phuong Forest, where the Muong ethnic group has lived and developed alongside the national park for over a thousand years.

Nestled on the left bank of the Buoi River deep within Cuc Phuong National Park, Khanh village in An Nghia commune, Lac Son district, has been home to the Muong community in Hoa Binh province for thousands of years. From the tourist center, you will have to traverse over 16km through the ancient forest, across valleys, and over treacherous mountain passes, taking 6 to 8 hours and requiring the guidance of national park staff.

Upon reaching Mường village, you will participate in community-based ecotourism activities such as sampling ethnic specialties, observing daily life, agriculture, traditional textile weaving, dancing around a campfire, and staying overnight in stilt houses.

Visit other famous tourist attractions in Ninh Binh:

• Van Long Wetland
• Thung Nham Tourism Area
• Ancient Capital Hoa Lu
• Mua Cave Ninh Binh
• Tuya Tinh Coc

Cuc Phuong Forest Tours

• Contact for tour bookings: 02293 848 006
• Email: [email protected] – [email protected]

Cuc Phuong Nature Tour

• Duration: 1 day

Attractions:

• Visitor center & Primate rescue center.
• Old Man Cave.
• The Thousand-Year-Old Chò Tree.

2-Day 1-Night Cuc Phuong Forest Tour

(Explore nature and archaeological values)

• Duration: 2 days 1 night

Attractions:

• Visitor center & Primate rescue center.
• Botanical garden.
• Old Man Cave.
• Fossil skeletons.
• The Ancient Tree.

Camping Tour in Cuc Phuong National Park

• Duration: 2 days 1 night

Attractions:

• Primate rescue center.
• Hiking, camping, overnight stay in the forest.
• Bird watching.
• Observing wildlife at night.

Additionally, there are other exciting tours available; you can visit the national park's website: cucphuongtourism.com.vn

Discover Culinary Delights at Cuc Phuong National Park

Goat Meat

When visiting the mountainous region of Ninh Binh, you definitely should not miss the delicious mountain goat dish, known for its firm, chewy meat, low fat, and distinctive aroma. Many believe the goat’s meat is tasty because the goats must run around on rocky mountains and eat nutritious wild greens, resulting in firmer muscles and less fat than regular goats. Goat meat can be prepared in various ways, from rare goat to steamed goat with rustic flavors, to more elaborate dishes like salted goat and grilled goat. Enjoying a piece of mountain goat meat with a sip of Kim Son wine and some wild greens is simply delightful.

Cuc Phuong Ri Chicken

Cuc Phuong Ri chicken is a specialty of Nho Quan district, recognized for its delicious and firm meat, raised under the natural conditions of the fertile land. Whole chickens are grilled over charcoal or forest wood until crispy and fragrant, and can easily be found in roadside eateries in the forest.

Cuc Phuong Mountain Snails

These snails often have thick, rich flesh, and after preparation, they have a distinctive flavor from the various algae, leaves, and forest plants they have consumed. This type of snail only appears from March to July of the lunar calendar, especially abundant during rainy days, but they disappear as soon as the dry winds of August arrive. Therefore, if you want to savor this delicious specialty, plan your visit accordingly to ensure you don’t miss out!

Cuc Phuong National Park is not only a conservation area of great importance but also a highly attractive tourist destination in Vietnam. Here, you will embark on an exciting journey, exploring a rich ecosystem with many rare species and remnants of ancient culture. We hope this information helps you create a detailed plan for your trip to Cuc Phuong Forest in Ninh Binh.

Cuc Phuong Forest is located within the territories of three provinces: Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Hoa Binh

According to statistics, the area of the forest is approximately 22,408ha

This is a nature reserve, a special use forest characteristic of tropical forests