Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong is Vietnam’s first National Park. It sits on three different Northern provinces
Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa.

Cuc Phuong National Park covers an area of 25000 ha, and is famous for its
incredible biodiversity of tropical forest with a variety of animals and plants. In addition,
it is home to a huge diversity of flora and fauna. Inhabitants of the park include 97
species of mammals, endangered langurs; 300 species of birds; 36 reptilian species; 17
species of amphibians; 11 species of fish; 2,000 species of vascular plants; and thousands
of species of insects. However, don’t worry about the insects. Most insects here are
innocuous. Unfortunately, a number of species in the park are listed on Vietnam’s Red
Book of endangered species.

Visiting Cuc Phuong National Park, tourist will be amazed at the fresh atmosphere and
stunning landscape. There are also a lot of breathtaking, “once in a lifetime” sights to see
near Cuc Phuong.
Things To Do in Cuc Phuong National Park and Its Surroundings

1. Cuc Phuong National Park

Visiting Cuc Phuong National Park is an interesting experience to get a closer look at
Vietnam’s nature. The benefit of touring here is the contribution made to protect the
park’s wildlife and improve the local economy. The best time to visit the park is during
the dry season, from October to March.

Trekking

The most popular activity in Cuc Phuong National Park is trekking. Tourists will feel
pleased when walking up mountains, experiencing the fresh air and the biodiversity in
Cuc Phuong tropical forest. You can hire a guide who has a wide knowledge about Cuc
Phuong National Park, so he/she can lead you the way. A guide is recommended, but you
can also try trekking by yourself.

With increased of tourist demand, the management of Cuc Phuong has opened a large
number of routes, so tourists have more choices. Each journey lasts 4 to 5 hours.
Travelers overcome cliffs, old trees, and valleys. At night, you pitch a tent in camping
sites. You might form a ring around your guide, and listen to stories about flora and fauna
or history of Cuc Phuong. You may also have the opportunity to watch nightlife animals
such as Flying Squirrel, Civet, Owl, etc.
 Tourists will be fascinated at the beauty of Nature with the thousand - year – old trees,
and ancient caves where humans used to live in the prehistoric era. You should bring
necessary equipment for hiking: shoes, socks, light, sleeping bag, bug spray, personal
belongings, and be sure that you are in good health conditions to enjoy your journey.

Cycling

One fantastic way to experience Cuc Phuong is by cycling through the forest. Biking
offers the visitor silence, a gentle breeze, and it is also a great way to see the secretive
animals and birds living in the national park.

Community-based ecotourism

Community Ecotourism has been a new travelling trend in Cuc Phuong recently.
Unlike trekking or cycling, tourists stay outside in forests, with Community-based
ecotourism, they live in ethnic people’s homes. Therefore, beside observing animals and
plants in Cuc Phuong, tourists also have a chance to learn more about ethnic group’s
habits and custom. You will participate in daily activities of Muong people, eat
traditional food, and even dress up like local girls or boys with colorful clothes.
Furthermore, those friendly girls and boys will invite you to join folksongs and dances of
different minority groups living around the national park.
Kayaking

While staying at the park, you can also participate in many fascinating entertainment
activities including kayaking on Mac lake, an artificial lake, or Yen Quang Lake, an
natural lake.
Bird watching
Cuc Phuong is home to a wealth of beautiful tropical birds, many of them endemic to
Vietnam and Indochina. Some of the 308 species of rare birds that you might encounter
are the Silver Pheasant, Red-collared Woodpecker, Brown Hornbill, Bar-bellied Pitta and
so on. Cuc Phuong is quickly becoming a must-see destination for scientists and
birdwatchers alike. The best time for bird-watching is early in the morning or in the late
afternoon.
Visit the first Carnivore and Pangolin Education Centre in Vietnam
When you travel to Cuc Phuong National Park you will have a chance to visit the Save
Vietnam’s Wildlife’s Carnivore and Pangolin Education Centre. About 500 meters to the
park’s headquarters, stop to find out more about Vietnam’s beautiful but sadly threatened
wildlife. At the interactive education centre you can: See rescued animals in well
designed and spacious enclosures and hear their stories; Watch videos about the rescue
and release work of rare and critically endangered pangolins; See the traps used to hunt
endangered wildlife; See the animals’ footprints and hear their calls; And there is lots of
information on Vietnam’s carnivores and pangolins.
 2. Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Located in Thanh Hoa Province, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is 25 km from Cuc Phuong
National Park. Pu Luong was established in 1999. This is a Nature Reserve with a total
area of 17,662 ha, 3/4 of the nature reserve is primary tropical forest. This is also the
living place of ethnic minority groups such as Muong and Thai people. In Thai language,
Pu Luong means the highest peak of the village.

The original forest in Pu Luong is a tropical forest, with plentiful flora and fauna
process includes 130 species of vertebrate animals, among them is 51 valuable and rare
animals, 84 species of mammal, 162 species of bird, 55 species of fish, 28 species of
reptile and 13 species of amphibian. This Reserve has a distinct area for insects. There
are at least 158 kinds of butterflies here.
 Tourists can book a tour from Cuc Phuong National Park to Pu Luong Natural
Reserve. Pu Luong is popular for natural, charming and stunning landscape. Son Ba
Muoi, Pu Luong Mountain, Muong Warehouse, Don Village, etc. are outstanding places
in Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

3. Citadel of Ho Dynasty

Ho Citadel used to be capital of Viet Nam from 1398 to 1407. This citadel was built in
1397 under Ho Quy Ly’s command. Ho Citadel is highly evaluated because of its
construction. There is no adhesive between the huge solid stone blocks, but these stone
blocks form an astonishingly stable wall which is more 600 years old. The complex of the
citadel of the Ho Dynasty includes Thanh Noi (Inner Citadel), Hao Thanh, La Thanh and
Nam Giao Altar (for worshipping the Heavens). Four main gates of the Citadel were set
up by blue limestone blocks which are carved skillfully. Thanks to its historical values,
Citadel of Ho Dynasty was recognized as a World Heritage Site by The United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on June 27, 2011.
 4. Bai Dinh Pagoda 

Bai Dinh Pagoda is a religious complex covering a total area of 539 hectare. The ancient
and the newly renovated Bai Dinh pagodas, parks, car parking and lake system belongs to
Ninh Binh province.
The old Bai Dinh Pagoda is located on the western slope of Dinh Mountain and is nestled
in a quiet forest. The pagoda houses an ancestor-worshipping house in the centre. On the
right hand side, Buddha is worshiped. On the left hand side, there is a small temple
worshipping Genie Cao Son. In addition, there is another temple worshipping Saint
Nguyen. With fanciful scenery and a quiet atmosphere, the pagoda will make visitors feel
like they are in a peaceful fairy land.

On the other side of the Dinh Mountain is new Bai Dinh Pagoda. This pagoda was built
since 2003 and covers a 80 ha area. The Bai Dinh pagoda possesses many parts such as
Tam The Temple, Phap Chu Temple, Quan Am temple (Bodhisattva Temple), Bao Thap,
Bell Tower and dormitory area for Buddhist monks.
Cuc Phuong National Park Weather

Climate in Cuc Phuong National Park is tropical with the average temperature about
25 C. There is a hot stream in Cuc Phuong with temperatures about 38 oC. The
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atmosphere here is suitable for those who want to stay away from noisy cities.

How to get to Cuc Phuong from Ha Noi

1. By bus

- There is no direct bus from Ha Noi to Cuc Phuong National Park. However, you can
catch a bus from Ha Noi to Nho Quan Station (Ninh Binh Province), then from Nho
Quan, you continue to catch bus to Cuc Phuong.

- Information about bus:

+Price: 150,000 VND (7-8 USD)

+Duration: 2 hours

2. By personal vehicles

You can hire a scooter in Hanoi to drive to Cuc Phuong National Park.
3. Booking a tour

- You can take part in a group tour or book a private tour to customize your trip.