Cuc Phuong National Park

Quick Facts:

  • Location: 130km southwest of Hanoi
  • Area: 22,200 ha
  • Status: the first, largest and also most important nature reserve in Vietnam
  • Highlight: its diverse system of fauna and flora, including endangered species

Situated 130 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, in Ninh Binh province, Cuc Phuong National Park is the largest nature reserve of Vietnam. The area officially came into operation in July, 1962, being Vietnam's first national park, with an area of 22,200 ha.

Cuc Phuong is mostly known for its importance in biological diversity, amazingly rich in fauna and flora. It is reported to own 97 mammal species – the most renowned are langurs which are in jeopardy, 300 species  of birds, 36 reptilians, 17 amphibians, 11 fish species, and thousands insects – many of which are listed in the list of endangered species of Vietnam Red Book. Also, its flora consists of countless types of orchids, ferns, liane and cauliflory, including spices, medicinal plants and edible fruits.

There are several lush green valleys as well as verdant limestone mountains housing countless caves that can be found in Cuc Phuong National Park. A wide range of Cuc Phuong’s caves are accessible for exploration, with exceptional landscape. The best time to visit the park in a year is in dry season, from December to April.

Being near famous tourist destinations such as Ninh Binh’s Three Grottoes, ancient capital Hoa Lu, and Sam Son beach, surely tourism activities in Cuc Phuong are abundant in number and alluring in quality. Coming there, you can spend days trekking, cycling in the primary forest, or kayaking on beautiful lakes to experience the park’s beauty in the most close and natural way; or spare about 1-2 nights staying in Muong’s traditional stilt houses, enjoying their traditional dances and music, sharing chores, meals and lives with local ethnic communities. Also, valuable opportunities for you to love and adore Cuc Phuong’s surprising number of animal and plant species are kindly offered to you through tours to Cuc Phuong’s 43 biodiversity hotspots and actions of wildlife night spotting, bird watching, amphibians, insects and reptiles spotting.

With a convenient transportation system, beautiful and comfortable rest houses in harmony with surrounding nature, and many entertaining activities, the national park of Cuc Phuong is definitely pleasurable and joyful to explore.

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