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National park in Vietnam
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Ravikiran r assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Cuc Phuong National Park (Vietnamese: Vườn quốc gia Cúc Phương) is in Northern Vietnam, 40 km away from Ninh Binh city. It is Vietnam’s largest national park and one of the most important biodiversity sites in the country. It is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The park can be visited from Hanoi as a day trip or visitors can stay at the park’s lodgings for a longer stay. Visiting the park is a terrific opportunity to get a close look at Vietnam’s nature. Fees generated from tourism help protect the parks wildlife and improve the local economy. The best time of the year to visit the park is during the dry season, from Nov-Feb.
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An important rehabilitation centre for Vietnam's critically endangered and majestic primates. Langurs, loris, and gibbon species are housed at the centre and include the critically endangered Delacour's Langur, golden-headed langur, Tonkin snub-nosed monkey and black crested gibbon.
The centre was established in 1993 with the help of the Frankfurt Zoological Society and has grown to 100 animals in 30 cages, 4 houses, and two semi-wild enclosures. The primate species at the site were confiscated from wildlife smugglers and include representatives of 16 Indochinese primates. The centre can be visited during the day and donations are encouraged. A small gift stand is in the centre. The centre is a 10-minute walk from the park headquarters.
It was established in 1998 and is home to some of the most endangered turtles in Vietnam. Six hundred turtles representing 15 of Vietnam’s 23 native species are bred at the centre and released back into the wild. At the centre it is possible to see hatchlings and adult turtles. The turtles at the centre are mostly specimens rescued from smugglers who supply the illegal trade in Vietnamese turtles to China, where they end up on restaurant menus. The centre can be visited during the day and donations are encouraged. A small gift stand is located in the centre.
Houses civets, including the rare Owston’s civet, and other small carnivores (including weasels, otters, and wild cats) and pangolins rescued from the wildlife trade. Renovated in early 2016, it's now open and welcomes its first visitors. Requires a guide.
It's a good place to take a stroll and get an introduction to the region’s flora. Early in the morning you will hear birds singing, accompanied by perhaps a gibbon or two.
Steep steps leading to 300 m height hill offering perfect views over the valley.
Dong Nguoi Xua
It is the site of one of the earliest discoveries of human habitation in Vietnam. Excavated in 1966, the cave revealed human graves, stone axes, pointed bone spears, oyster shell knives, and tools for grinding dating back 7,500 years. These artifacts have long been removed and the cave is open to tourists. The entrance to the cave is littered with picnic refuse and spent incense sticks, but if you duck under the first crevice to the right you’ll find a stairway that takes you up for further exploration. Make sure to bring a torch (flashlight).
Dong Son Cung
Near Cuc Phuong National Park is a preserve at Van Long where you can see Delacour’s langur in the wild. Cuc Phuong’s park headquarters can help arrange a trip to Van Long.
Serves more or less the same food as restaurants inside the park.
Clean lodging. Provides beds, showers, and a restaurant. Room options include Spartan wooden cabins to more comfortable, and expensive, hotel rooms with a TV. Wi-Fi.
Detached bungalow equipped with fan, en-suite bathroom, hot water. No Wi-Fi, scheduled power outages at nights. This option is simpler than at the park headquarters but at the same time it is more tranquil and secluded.
Detached bungalow with en-suite bathrooms, hot water, air-con. This is the most remote sleeping option park offers to its guests. Electricity available only at evenings.
Visitors can travel to Cuc Phuong National Park via Hanoi’s Giap Bat Bus Terminal, the city’s southern bus terminal. Hop on a bus going to Nho Quan, the town nearest the park.
Read in the guideTravel within the park can be done on foot or by motorbike, bicycle, or car. A 20-km paved road cuts to heart of the forest and passes a number of paths leading to caves.
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Hanoi (Soc Son) · International · HAN
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