Cuc Phuong National Park is the oldest and the most impressive national park in Vietnam in term of wild life, natural beauty and its historical & cultural values.It is a good place for trekking, bird watching and homestaying with locals in the ecosystem of rained forests
Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh province
Just 130km far from Hanoi capital and 40km from Ninh Binh city, Cuc Phuong national park is located in Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province and bordered between three provinces of Ninh Binh,Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh. Founded in 1962,Cuc Phuong is the oldest and the most impressive national park in Vietnam in term of wild life,natural beauty and its historical & cultural significances.
Firstly, in term of wild life and natural beauty, this national park covers an area of 22.000 hectares of tropical forests and many grottoes between limestone mountains & valleys.Thus,it is really rich in flora and fauna. The inhabitants of the park include 97 species of mammals, the most notable are the 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.Many species in the park are listed on Vietnam Red Book of endangered species. In addition, there has many animals such as: bears, horses, boars, tigers, leopards, ferrets, squirrels, monkeys …of which tourists can sometimes see them in real nature of rain forest. Cuc Phuong is also the home of hundreds of local birds and many migrated birds from the north to aviod the cold weather in winter (you can see a lot of rare types from October to March),beautiful and strange butterflies (more from March to April).The flora in the park includes multi-layered canopy; trees up to 70m in height; ferns with amazingly tall leaves; and an abundance of lianes and cauliflory. The park also contains plants used for such practicalities as spices and medicines as well as edible fruits, nuts, and shoots.
Secondly, in term of historical and cultural values, Cuc Phuong national park has many caves and in certain caves, scientists did find the such prehistoric vestiges as tools, ancient tombs of pre-historic people dated back to 7500 years ago.Moreover, the valleys in the park is also the home of local Muong ethnics who have lived in scattered villages in national park for generations with their own unique culture. While visiting the park, you can homestay in their house on stilts and have chance to enjoy the traditional show with songs and dances performed by young Muong girls and boys who live around the national park. This activity was recently set up with the purpose to preserve Muong’s cultural characteristics, and also to give visitors more understanding about the ethnic minorities in Vietnam.
What to see in Cuc Phuong National Park?
When you are at the entrance of Cuc Phuong National Park, it is about 20km in a paved road from the headquarter to the park center up and down to discover different attractions, it is up to your interest and your time so that you can choose to go by bike, walk, motorbike or car.However, from our experience, the best way is a combination of car or motobike or bike and foot.Here are the list of different attractions in Cuc Phuong nature reserve you can visit
Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC)
Right on the left of the park entrance is EPRC where houses around 150 primates from endangered species such as Delacour langurs, Catba langurs, Hating langurs in large enclosures.This center was established in 1993, supported by Frankfurt Zoological Society with the aim to protect the primates, develop them in number, then gradually release them back to natural environment.To visit this center, you are requested to buy entrance ticket (30.000 vnd) with a guided tour (every 30 minutes).It’s daily open 09:00-11:00 in the morning and 13:15-16:00 in the afternoon.
Turtle Conservation Center (TCC)
On the same way to EPRC, you can pay a visit to TCC where rescues around 19 species of turtles confiscated from the wildlife trade. The TCC is daily open 09:00-11:00 in the morning and 14:00-16:00 in the afternoon with free entrance and no need a guided tour.
The cave of pre-historic people
About 7 km away from the head quarter, we will be in the cave of pre-historic people where was founded many vestiges of pre-historic tools and ancient tombs dated back 7500 years ago.You will trek up a few hundred steps to reach the caves where you can view the dark caves with bats and several tombs inside.It is better to take a torch along for clearer view inside the cave.
Trekking Route to Cho Chi thousand year old tree ( 6km trek)
In the park center, Bong area is a starting point for a round 6km trek to visit ancient tree of thousand years old named Cho Chi.Along the trek, you can view the various type of trees, rare birds,squirrels.. in Cuc Phuong tropical forest and in 2 hours later, you can captivate and touch a very huge tree of Cho Chi– the biggest one in the park.The trek can go further up and down to the other way of national park like a cycle for more views or you can come back the same way to the starting point.
Trekking Route to Muong Hamlet ( 16km trek compulsorily accompanied by the park's guide along).
For a longer trek, more view of natural landscapes of forests,valleys & mountains,you can do 16km trek to Muong hamlets where you experience Muong ethnic with their unique cultures.With this trekking route,you will do it 2 days/1 night or more and homestay with local Muong ethnics.Enjoy the authentic local foods, taking part in tradditional shows of songs and dances performed by locals.This trek is adventurous, up and down so it is compulsorily accompanied by local guide from the park.
When is the best time to visit Cuc Phuong National Park?
The best time to visit Cuc Phuong national park is in dry months from October to March when the weather is cool and dry.This time,it is good if you like birdwatching with many species of rare birds migrating here, trekking tours viewing flowers blooming and many butterflies.Also, it is not the rainy season so that your trek will be easier, no worry about slippery paths at all. From April to June it becomes increasingly hot and wet; from July to September, the rains arrive and bring lots of leeches.
How to get to Cuc Phuong National Park?
Cuc Phuong is 130km far from Hanoi and in 3 hour drive, you can get there.For a budget cost but more time consumption of waiting, you can get local bus from Giap Bat bus station, buying a ticket of 100.000 vnd to Nho Quan area, then take a motobike (about 100.000 vnd) or a taxi ( about 160.000 vnd) more to reach Cuc Phuong national park.
For an easy,relaxed & flexible service, you can join us in our Cuc Phuong National Park Tour or just rent a private car with driver to Cuc Phuong with reasonable price & good service.You can connect your trip to Cuc Phuong with some attractions in Ninh Binh such as Van Long Nature Reserve, Hoa Lu ancient capital or Tam Coc Bich Dong Grottoes, overnight in Ninh Binh city or in Cuc Phuong Rained Forest. If you have questions of our services supplied or other destinations in Vietnam, please,feel free to drop us your questions to bluewaytourist@gmail.com, we are happy to support you for more details
