Cuc Phuong National Park is located 120 km southwest of Hanoi, adjacent to Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. This is a large nature reserve, hosting many diverse and abundant species of animals and plants in Vietnam.
Cuc Phuong has many old trees for many years, beautiful birds… is a great place for outdoor picnics. Now let’s explore this forest with ORIGINVIETNAM.COM through Cuc Phuong National Park travel guide.
Overview Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park covers an area of 25,000 ha. It’s also the first National Park in Vietnam. Cuc Phuong is characterized by tropical, green tropical forests year-round and extremely rich and diverse flora and fauna. Many endangered species of flora and fauna have been discovered and preserved here. Especially the black and white Douc langur is considered a symbol of Cuc Phuong.
Beautiful Cuc Phuong National Park butterflies photo
How Cuc Phuong National Park is unique?
Magnificent limestone mountains rise up majestically from the green rice terraces and traditional stilts houses of the Muong hill tribe. Covered in dense forest, this landscape forms a habitat for some of Asia’s rarest animal and plant species. It’s no wonder that researchers, naturalists, enthusiasts and conservationists alike are drawn to this corner of the world.
The old forest is around 2234 blood vessel and non blood vessel plants, 122 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 135 species of mammals, including the Clouded Leopard, Delacour’s Langur, Owston’s Civet and Asian black bear. There is also incredible 336 recorded bird species. Visitors in Apr and May should be blessed with the opportunity to see literally thousands of vibrant butterflies.
1. Limestone Karst Landscape:
Located on 2 limestone mountain ranges, the landscape of Cuc Phuong contains a superbly rich ecosystem. The rocky outcrops of Cuc Phuong form the site of precious pale ontological and anthropological vestiges, including the petrified sea reptile dated at 200 – 230 million years old, whilst the remains of prehistoric individuals who lived in the forest some 7500 years ago are also to be found in the numerous mountains caves. It’s a great to do trekking tour in Cuc Phuong National Park.
2. Culture:
In earlier times, Cuc Phuong was home to the Muong minority individuals and also To this day a few scattered villages around the park’s periphery still house these intriguing people and their distinctive culture. If you visit these communities you may still see their traditional pile houses, waterwheels, bamboo rafts and brocade looms. Around Cuc Phuong.
From Cuc Phuong we’d Suggest you make a trip to Van Long Nature Reserve, where one can see Delacour’s Languras in the wild at Ngoc Son and the Pu Luong Nature Reserve – all in easy access. Just ask us and we’ll set you on the right path.
3. Framework:
- Park Authorities
- Functional Department: – Personnel Departments. – Plan – finance Department. – International Cooperation & Scientific Department.
- Units: – Forest Protection Department. – Environmental Education & Services Center. – The Organism Rescue, Conservation and Development Center.
4. Remarkable Achievements:
- Year 2000, the Government granted with the title of Hero of labour in the Innovation period.
- Year 2002, the Government granted Independence Medal as the park has gained many achievements in nature conservation and many other noble rewards.
When is the best time to go to Cuc Phuong National Park?
- The climate in Cuc Phuong is tropical monsoon, with an annual average temperature of 24.7°C. Topography is complex, forest in primitive form contains many mysteries, and unique landscape.
- From November to January next year is quite cold period in the North, this occasion should not go into the forest.
- Around February to April is the season to see the birds such as: pheasant, coriander, marble babbler, chopped white belly.
- Late April in early May is the butterfly season in Cuc Phuong. At this time, Cuc Phuong National Park butterflies full of colors create a scenic, romantic.
- From April to August every year, the weather is beautiful but sometimes there may be rain or storm, you notice the weather before you go.
How to go to Cuc Phuong National Park?
Coming to Cuc Phuong you can go by motorbike, self-driving car or passenger car. If you go by private car you will feel more comfortable, the car runs deep into the forest.
Traveling by motorbike or self-driving car: From Hanoi, travel along Highway 1A, to Gian Khau fork (Gia Vien district, 10km from Ninh Binh city) and then continue to turn onto Highway 12A passing through town. Nho Quan 2km then turn left to Cuc Phuong.
By bus: You can go to Giap Bat bus station to take the Nho Quan bus – from here, get off and take the bus to Cuc Phuong forest.
Cuc Phuong National Park Accommodation:
1. Entrance area:
The Entrance area is the starting point for all the activities in the garden, to build the tour program, to offer services such as: Sightseeing guide, night wildlife, kayak, chapter ethnic performances, bicycles and all information about Cuc Phuong.
2. Mac Lake area:
Photo: Internet
Far from the entrance gate is 1.5 km, Mac lake area is quite quiet, fresh air with full services of eating and sleeping. Ho Mac also has its own room and communal stilt house, where there is also space for organizing campfire exchanges.
3. Park center also call Bong:
It’s located about 20km from the garden gate, the special point of Cuc Phuong. There is also a full service of sleeping accommodation. However, this area has no electricity, only the generator is running about 4 hours each night, but few guests too. It’s wonderful for natural lover.
Top sightseeing in Cuc Phuong National Park
1: Ancient cave:
This is a place to store vestiges of residence and burial of prehistoric people, a precious heritage of Cuc Phuong garden.
2: Con Moong Cave:
Photo: Internet
Because outside the cave’s door is a large rock protruding that looks like an animal. So it is named Con Moong cave (Animal cave in Muong language). This is also the residence of ancient people. Also it’s an important archaeological site classified as a national monument.
3: Crescent Moon Cave:
From afar, the cave gate is shaped like a crescent moon, the cave is located deep in the forest.
4: Silver Cloud Peak:
Silver cloud peak has an elevation of 648m, from the top we can enjoy a panoramic view of the national park along with Hoa Lu ancient capital and Bai Dinh pagoda. However, the way to the top of Cloud Silver has many rocky slopes which are quite difficult to go, so this place is only suitable for people with good health.
5: Yen Quang Lake – Pho Ma cave:
Go back to Nho Quan road about 7km, go to Tri Phuong bridge to the West and go to Yen Quang lake. Continue past Thung La to the foot of the limestone mountain range to be the Pho Ma cave. Pho Ma is a wonderful architectural work of nature created with countless interesting stalactites.
6: The thousand-year-old trees:
Cuc Phuong has many ancient trees such as: Dang tree is 45m high with a diameter of 5m, and thousands of years of perennial green-shanked tree with perimeter of more than 20 people hugging…
7: Muong village:
Cuc Phuong is also the home of the Muong community with many unique cultural features. Such as stilt houses, terraced fields, brocade weaving…
8: Primate Rescue Center:
A place to preserve and nurture many rare primate species. Here visitors will not only observe the beauty of primates but also learn more about Endangered primate rescue center Cuc Phuong National Park.
Cuc Phuong National Park Things to do?
1. Trekking
Cuc Phuong has built many walking routes in the forest, with different content and time, you can choose the appropriate routes, some walking routes you can explore yourself. With the guide, introduction of the guide, surely your trip will become more interesting and meaningful.
Camping and overnight in the jungle, a long walk to the Ngoc Son sanctuary, Pu Luong nature reserve are attractive routes. That are of interest to you.
2. Eco-tourism community
Cuc Phuong is a very important source of livelihood for the local community. Community-based Eco-tourism is an important solution contributing to the improvement of the people’s life. With a one or two night stay at Muong Village, you contribute to generate income for people, support the conservation. During the stay, the Muong people with enthusiasm, hospitality will bring you the comfortable time and opportunity to learn, explore the unique of local culture.
3. Wildlife night spotting
Depending on the weather conditions. The National Park can organize a program to see wildlife at night. You will have the opportunity to see a number of wildlife. Such as Black Squirrel, Flying squirrels, bumblebee, loris…
4. Bird Watching
Cuc Phuong is one of the most diverse bird fauna in northern Vietnam. With 308 species discovered and recorded, including many rare species such as: Red-headed Woodpecker, White Pheasant, brown, caudal fin, cauliform caudal,… Especially are endemic species of Vietnam and Indochina. So Cuc Phuong has become a must-see for scientists and bird watchers. The best time to watch birds is early morning and evening.
5. Biking
One of the mysterious discoveries of Cuc Phuong nature is riding bicycles in the forest. Biking in the forest will bring you not only the quiet feeling, the true feel of nature but also gives you the opportunity to catch the rare animals in Cuc Phuong.
6. Kayaking
Stay at Cuc Phuong, you can participate in many leisure activities, relax. Kayaking on the Mac Lake and Yen Quang Lake is one of the most popular activities.
Things to note when traveling to Cuc Phuong National Park
- Need to prepare all the necessary items such as hats, jungle shoes, medicine, bandages, food and drink… before visiting Cuc Phuong.
- Can bring binoculars for sightseeing
- There are a lot of mosquitoes in the forest, so one tip for you to avoid these obnoxious animals is to buy DEP (cream for scabies) formulations on sensitive areas like the head, nape, wrists, ankles… The scent of this drug is the carapace of the animals.
What to eat in Cuc Phuong National Park?
After visiting and exploring a round in Cuc Phuong, you can enjoy special mountain goats and special mountain snails only here. In addition, there are still many other attractive dishes such as grilled garden chicken, fried perch and anchovy together with a cup of Muong rice wine…
Please drop an email to sales@originvietnam.com or call direct to (+84)82 909 8686 for All things need to know before booking Cuc Phuong National Park tour from Hanoi. Wish you have a great experience, discovery, a memorable vacation to Cuc Phuong National Park.
