Cuc Phuong National Park - Asia’s leading national park

Cuc Phuong National Park, located 120 kilometers from Hanoi in the northern Annamite Range's foothills, has become very familiar and dear to many domestic and foreign tourists on a vietnam tours; it is also Vietnam's first national park.

Cuc Phuong National Park entrance (Source: Nguyen Viet Tai)

1. General information about Cuc Phuong National Park

 Cuc Phuong National Park was established in 1962 and spans three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa, covering a total area of 22,408 hectares. Cuc Phuong was named "Asia's Leading National Park" for the fourth time in a row at the World Tourism Awards in 2022.

White-tailed flycatcher (Source: @nhattanla)

(Source: My Giang)

Cuc Phuong has become an appealing eco-tourism destination due to its many values in terms of natural landscapes, ecosystem diversity, and cultural and historical values. Cuc Phuong National Park has typical tropical rainforest flora, with lush four-season trees a few meters in diameter and a height of 40–50 meters. This area is also home to hundreds of wild animal species and thousands of insects.

An old tree in Cuc Phuong National Park (Source: @cinzial82)

Cuc Phuong primary forest's typical Karst topography contains a rich system of archaeological, paleontological, and geological values. The most famous are Con Moong Cave and Dong Nguoi Xua (Cave of Prehistoric Man)... Furthermore, dozens of caves have been discovered, but this Vietnam national park still has many caves that have yet to be explored.

(Source: Minh Phạm)

 2. History of Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong National Park was designated as a forest reserve in 1960. President Ho Chi Minh reminded his people just two years later that protecting the environment meant protecting their own future. Following his wise words, the president designated Cuc Phuong as the country's first national park.

In earlier times, Cuc Phuong was also the Muong people's home, with typical cultural features such as sticky houses on stilts, terraced fields, upland rice mills, brocade looms, festivals, customs, and local lifestyles. The community is still standing today. Visitors have the opportunity to come here and learn about these values.

(Source: Nguyễn Hoàng Cường)

3. Flora and fauna

Cuc Phuong National Park has a flora and fauna population that is extremely rich and diverse, with 2,234 species of higher plants and mosses, including 433 medicinal plants and 229 edible plants, many of which are listed in Vietnam's Red Data Book (similar with IUCN Red List of Threatened Species).

(Source: Lam Thanh)

 Cuc Phuong National Park has built a 167-hectare botanical garden and planted and collected 811 species of rare plants to help conserve genetic resources. There are 210 Cuc Phuong woody plant species, 85 other region woody plant species, 5 imported species, 25 arachnid species, 20 fruit tree species, 15 bamboo species, 17 minnow species, 15 areca palm species, 296 medicinal plant species, and 140 orchid species. Many trees are currently growing well, and many species have flowers and fruits.

(Source: Paul Ryan)

There are 669 vertebrate species, divided into 120 families and 35 orders: 138 species of mammals, 337 species of birds, 80 reptilian species, 48 species of amphibians, and 66 species of fish. Among the fish species found in Cuc Phuong rivers and streams, some are newly named, such as Pterocryptis cucphuongensis fish and the Cuc Phuong ear lizard.

(Source: Duc Dang)

Invertebrates have 1,899 species belonging to 169 families, 33 orders, 6 classes and 3 phyla. In which, the insect class plays the main role with a very large number such as 454 species of beetles, 378 species of lepidoptera and 314 species of membranous order.

Butterfly season in Cuc Phuong (Source: Hiếu Như Nguyễn)

Beautiful caves in Cuc Phuong National Park include Son Cung Cave, Pho Ma Giang Cave, and others. Some caves still contain traces of prehistoric people dating back 7,500 to 12,000 years. In 2000, Cuc Phuong discovered a blade-toothed fossilized reptile that lived 200–230 million years ago.

Cuc Phuong Turtle (Source: Isaak Vanthomme)

4. Conservation programs

Many conservation programs and projects are being implemented by the park, including the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP), and the Turtle Conservation Center. In 2019, the Center for Rescue, Conservation, and Biological Development continued to care for 181 individuals from 15 primate species.

Ảnh: Dinh Tuan

In terms of turtle conservation, Cuc Phuong National Park has also rescued 185 turtles from 14 different species, spawned 415 individuals from nine different species, and released 82 individuals from three different species into the wild. Furthermore, the center cares for and raises 91 individuals of eight different species of small carnivores and pangolins. In 2019, 204 individuals from six different species arrived, giving birth to five pangolins.

(Source: Báo Lao Động Thủ Đô)

5. What to do in Cuc Phuong National Park?

 The most popular ways to explore this national park are trekking, biking, and boating or go caving. Cuc Phuong's verdant landscape will enchant visitors with its limestone karsts, open valleys, and hidden caves. Visitors can view rare wildlife species and learn more about Vietnam's conservation efforts by taking an eco-tour to the various rescue centers among the breathtaking scenery.

(Source: VOV)

There are several jungle trek routes in Cuc Phuong National Park, ranging in difficulty from a few hours to two to three days. Most trekking routes are accompanied by a park guide and an English-speaking guide to ensure that tourists have the best and most informative journey possible. Several popular trails will take visitors to ancient trees, caves, and Muong villages. The Vietnam national park also offers mountain bike rentals, making cycling through the forest an unforgettable experience.

Ảnh: @mungphan2703

Cuc Phuong National Park, occupying a small corner of the globe, is an important site for Vietnam's thriving biodiversity. Long admired by scientists and conservationists, the park's popularity is spreading to the general public. Visitors can spend a day or a short vacation exploring the karsts and valleys of Cuc Phuong, which is easily accessible from Hanoi.

Because it is easy to become disoriented in Cuc Phuong National Park, we highly advise you to take an experienced guide on your Vietnam tours. Our tour guides have extensive experience touring in Ninh Binh, including Cuc Phuong National Park, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Trang An Grottoes, and others. To be advised, please contact us via email, Fanpage, or hotline for more Vietnam Travel Packages.