Nestled deep in the Tam Diep mountain range, Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh is one of Vietnam’s most precious gems. With a vast area of over 22,000 hectares, Cuc Phuong National Park spans three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa.

On July 7, 1962, Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh officially became a national park and the first nature reserve in Vietnam. Since 2019, Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh has been honored as Asia’s Top National Park for five consecutive years at the World Travel Awards.

The tropical rainforest here remains lush throughout the year, accompanied by a diverse ecosystem. Currently, 2,234 plant species have been discovered in Cuc Phuong National Park, accounting for 17.27% of Vietnam's total plant species. There is also a diverse range of animals, including 135 mammal species, 336 bird species, 122 reptile and amphibian species, 66 fish species, and around 2,000 insect species. The Delacour’s langur stands out among the listed animals in Cuc Phuong as a distinctive symbol of Cuc Phuong National Park.

In addition to its beautiful nature, Cuc Phuong National Park preserves the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities. Visitors have the opportunity to participate in traditional activities, from dances and songs to savoring characteristic local cuisine. With villages like Khanh, Nga, and Sam, the people here will take you on a journey of discovery not only of nature but also of their unique culture.
 

What can be seen in Cuc Phuong National Park ?

A rich flora and fauna ecosystem

The Cuc Phuong Forest is an evergreen tropical rainforest, in which researchers have identified 2,234 plant species, accounting for 17.27% of the total plant species in Vietnam.

Stepping into the pristine and magnificent primeval forest of Cuc Phuong National Park, one feels awe-struck and small. It would probably take 5 - 10 people holding hands in a circle to fully wrap around the trunks of the massive ancient trees, aged thousands of years, towering from 45m to 75m, silently standing against the storms, sunlight, and rain. Among them are giants like the ancient Dang tree, standing at 45m tall with a diameter of 5m; the Vu Huong tree reaching 45m in height with a diameter of 2.5m; the thousand-year-old Cho Chi tree towering at 70m, and more.
 

What animals are in the Cuc Phuong National Park ?

The fauna ecosystem in Cuc Phuong National Park is also incredibly diverse and rich. According to the latest survey, Cuc Phuong National Park is home to 135 mammal species, 336 bird species, 122 reptile and amphibian species, 66 fish species, and nearly 2,000 insect species. Among the animal species in Cuc Phuong National Park, many are classified as rare and precious, such as the clouded leopard, the Asian black bear, the Asian golden cat, and many unique species like the Callosciurus (a.k.a the “Beautiful squirrel”), and primates like the Rhesus monkey and langurs.

What’s noteworthy is that a rare and precious primate species is found in Cuc Phuong National Park, which exists nowhere else in the world except Vietnam, and that is the Delacour’s langur.

The insect ecology in Cuc Phuong National Park is also diverse and fascinating. Faced with adversaries, tiny and fragile insects resort to hiding and evading. Some insects have evolved to become masters of camouflage, like the leaf beetle whose body resembles a fresh leaf, making it nearly undetectable to the naked eye, or the stick insect, perfectly mimicking small twigs.
 

Prehistoric caves in National Park

Cave Of Prehistoric Man (Nguoi Xua Cave) : With a length of over 300m, this cave still preserves the primitive traces of prehistoric people. The spacious cave floor is well-lit with natural light and well-ventilated. When visiting this cave, you should prepare flashlights for illumination and incense or candles to pay respects to ancestors inside the cave.

Con Moong Cave : Visiting Con Moong Cave is an exciting journey that takes you through time to explore the Da But culture. The cave is approximately 30-40m long, with a ceiling height of 8.41m. It’s a repository of nearly 10,000 years of history through various layers of rock and soil. Here, you have the opportunity to discover unique artifacts, from tombs with human remains to traces of ancient settled communities.

Mang Chieng Cave : When you visit Mang Chieng, you will encounter many traces of prehistoric life. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of fire pits, stone tools, and burial sites during the excavation of this cave. This cave dates back about 12,000 to 7,000 years ago, offering a glimpse into prehistoric life, from hunting to adapting to the harsh natural environment.

Crescent Moon Cave (Trang Khuyet Cave) : The name of this cave originates from its entrance, resembling a crescent moon. Because the cave is deep in the forest, we recommend having a guide for the visit, where you’ll get to admire the awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites in the cave and explore the traces of prehistoric people.
 

Muong culture

When visiting Cuc Phuong National Park, you also have the opportunity to experience the traditional culture of ethnic minorities, such as the Muong culture in villages like Khanh, Nga, and Sam. You’ll have the chance to immerse in traditional dances and songs around a lively campfire and enjoy traditional dishes of the ethnic community, such as sticky rice, grilled meat, and a warm glass of traditional rice wine.
 

Pristine nature

Silver Cloud Peak (May Bac Peak): Situated at an altitude of 648m, Silver Cloud Peak is an attractive destination often chosen by many young people when visiting Cuc Phuong National Park. Gazing from the mountain's summit, you’ll have a panoramic view of the national park. You’ll even catch sight of other famous landmarks such as the ancient capital Hoa Lu and Bai Dinh Pagoda. Remember that the path to the summit is quite steep and rugged, so make sure you’re in good health, even better if you have trekking experience.

Yen Quang Lake: Upon reaching Yen Quang Lake, get ready to be captivated by the beauty of this crystal-clear lake surrounded by towering cliffs and the lush primary forest. You can admire aquatic birds on the lake's surface or fish amid the pristine nature.

Pho Ma Cave: Legend has it, this cave preserves the traces of the general Truong Quan Son - a Dinh dynasty’s “Pho Ma” (the Princess’s husband) who died and turned into stone. Therefore, when you visit this place, you will encounter a rock formation resembling a man right in front of the cave entrance. Stepping inside, you will marvel at an elaborate stalactite system forming majestic shapes, resembling fairytale palaces.
 

Cuc Phuong National Park entrance fee

• Adults: 60.000 VND/person
• Students: 20.000 VND/person
• Children: 10.000 VND/person
• Children under 5: free entry

Cuc Phuong National Park tour

Cuc Phuong National Park Trekking

Cuc Phuong National Park has developed numerous hiking trails through the forest, each with different themes and durations. You can choose the most suitable route such as the trekking route to Ngoc Son Conservation Area or Pu Luong Conservation Area.
 

Community-based Tourism

As Cuc Phuong National Park is the livelihood of the local community, community-based tourism offers an intriguing experience for visitors to help support and explore the cultures of ethnic groups such as the Muong people, who have lived in the Cuc Phuong National Park area for a long time.
 

Night Wildlife Watching

Depending on weather conditions, the Cuc Phuong National Park may organize nighttime wildlife-watching programs. Participating in these programs gives visitors the chance to observe nocturnal wildlife such as black squirrels, flying squirrels, muntjacs, Loris, and some small carnivores.
 

Cycling in the Forest

One of the ways to explore the mysteries of Cuc Phuong National Park is by cycling through the forest. Cycling in the forest not only provides a serene experience, allowing visitors to connect with nature but also offers the opportunity to encounter rare wildlife in Cuc Phuong National Park.
 

Visit the First Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Education Center in Vietnam

Located 500m from the Cuc Phuong National Park headquarters, visitors can easily schedule a tour of the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Education Center to explore the beauty of wild endangered species in Vietnam. With the interactive and innovative space of the center, visitors can:

• Visit rescued animals in long-term care and hear about their stories.
• Watch documentaries about rescue operations and the release of critically endangered pangolins.
• Witness confiscated traps used for hunting endangered species, gaining insight into the threats facing wild animals.
• Listen to the sounds that carnivores and pangolins make and observe their footprints

Best time to visit Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong National Park - a natural treasure stretching across three regions in North Central Vietnam, the Red River Delta, and Northwest Vietnam, holds diverse and enchanting beauty throughout the year.

In spring, from February to April, Cuc Phuong National Park bursts with vitality, lush greenery, fresh flowers, and warm sunshine. This is an excellent time to explore the beauty of the national park and observe the wild animals that inhabit the area.

Early summer, from late April to May, marks the butterfly season in Cuc Phuong National Park, a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

During the summer, from June to August, many “seek refuge” in Cuc Phuong National Park to escape the scorching heat. You can enjoy the cool shade under the trees and immerse yourself in the serenity and the sounds of nature.

In Autumn, from August to October, Cuc Phuong National Park is less crowded with tourists, making it suitable for leisure strolls or overnight camping adventures.
 

How do I get from Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park ?

Motorbike or Car : From Hanoi, it takes about 3 hours to reach Cuc Phuong National Park. If traveling by car, you can consider the following route: Hanoi - Hanoi-Ninh Binh highway - exit at Liem Tuyen - provincial road 494 - National Road 1A - National Road 12A - Cuc Phuong. For those on motorbikes, opt for this route: Hanoi - National Road 1A - Gian Khau intersection - National Road 12A - Nho Quan town - Cuc Phuong.

Bus: Many people choose buses to reach Cuc Phuong National Park from Hanoi. In Hanoi, there are several bus stations with routes to the national park for you to choose from. You can find buses heading to Nho Quan (Ninh Binh) and then take a local bus to reach Cuc Phuong National Park.
 

Cuc Phuong National Park accommodation

At Cuc Phuong National Park, there are three accommodation areas for you to choose from:

1. Park Entrance Area : offers a variety of accommodations starting from 200,000 VND. They also provide rentals for trekking equipment and mountain bikes.

2. Mac Lake Area : includes communal stilt houses and guest rooms. This area is suitable for large groups, where you can have campfires, enjoy meals, sing, and engage in cultural activities.

3. Central Area : includes stilt houses and separate apartments.

>>> Cuc Phuong National Park Day Tour