1. Where is Cuc Phuong National Park – Map
Cuc Phuong National Park is located in Ninh Binh province, 120 km southwest of Hanoi, 45 km northwest of Ninh Binh city. Established July 7, 1962, it covered 25,000ha. This is also the first national park in Vietnam. Belong to Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Hoa Binh provinces. However, 70 percent of the national park belongs to Ninh Binh province.
1.2. Best time to travel in Cuc Phuong National Park
The most suitable time to visit Cuc Phuong National Park is in the dry season (from December to May). At this time, the weather in the forest is very cool. Especially in May, thousands of colorful and beautiful butterflies appear in the jungle around this time, making this place like a beautiful "butterfly forest" like in a fairyland.
The butterfly appears in the forest around April and May
Local guide shares knowledge about animals
1.3. How to get to Cuc Phuong National Park
There are two ways to start exploring your trip here. Firstly, start from Hanoi and go directly to Cuc Phuong National Park. Another way, from Ninh Binh city visitors, can go by local bus or taxi is the most convenient way for you especially for international travelers.
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By bus: This is an economical choice, but sometimes it is complicated. You need to take two buses from Giap Bat bus station to Nho Quan - from here, get another bus to Cuc Phuong.
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By private car or tour: This is expensive, but it is really comfortable, and you can have your own space (you don't need to worry about getting crammed on a bus). Furthermore, if you go in a large group, a private car will definitely be cheaper and better for you. Especially with tourists who are unfamiliar with Vietnamese roads
Beautiful place for trekking
1.4. Cuc Phuong National Park entrance – price and opening hours
Visitors can buy tickets at the reception right at the main gate. The price is 60.000vnd/person
Time opening:
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Monday - Friday: 08:00 am – 21:00 pm
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Saturday: 08:00 am – 19:00 pm
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Phone number: 02293.848.006
Cuc Phuong National Park entrance
2. What to do in Cuc Phuong National Park
2.1. Visit the conservation centers
These conservation centers can be regarded as the highlight of Cuc Phuong National Park. This is also a destination for nature lovers, who can observe the activities, the unique beauty of each primate species and collect Useful knowledge. Since then, awakening love, the sense of protecting nature in each person visiting, creates the basis for responsible behavior with the natural environment in reality.
You will be amazed by the stories of the origins of all kinds of species, from animals to plants.
Animals at a national park
Another center is the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre (EPRC). Cuc Phuong was built in early 1994. It's also the biggest center in Southeast Asia. EPRC has received a lot of attention and support from international organizations, including the British Embassy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, US, and Germany support funds.
All people and staff are doing good things here by rescuing rare individual primates such as Gray langur, Cat Ba langur, etc. From confiscation, releasing animals to nature, research on primate's living habits and environment. This is a wonderful place for a good deed.
Here visitors will not only observe the beauty of primates but also have the chance to learn more about the character of animals.
2.2. Trekking in the jungle or cycling in the forest
Most of the travelers coming here share the same activity are trekking. Visitors have numerous jungle trekking routes. You can go by yourself, go with a tour guide in the park or a local scout. Besides that, visitors can choose to cycle through the forest to see wild animals.
Trek through the jungle is a great experience
2.3. Bird watching
According to a review by BirdLife, Cuc Phuong was selected as one of the most convenient bird viewing areas in Vietnam. So far, more than 300 species of birds have been recorded at Cuc Phuong National Park. There are many species of forest birds, including species of woodpeckers, starlings, crows, and flycatchers. The best time to watch birds is early morning and evening.
Birds at Cuc Phuong National Park
2.4. Visit prehistoric caves (Dong Nguoi Xua)
Just 30 square meters Archaeologists found three ancient tombs discovered with fossilized human skeletons intact lying deeply under the ground 0.40 meters and 1.4 meters. They asserted that primitive men lived here in Ninh Binh, far from us today, for about 7500 years.
The way to Prehistoric caves
2.5. See the thousand years old tree
Ancient trees of thousands of years: Cuc Phuong has many ancient trees such as Cho tree is 45m high with a diameter of 5m we more than 20 people are needed to embrace the tree together.
2.6. Conquer the May Bac Peak (Silver Cloudy Peak)
Standing on the top of the Silver Cloud peak 648 m high, you can drop the panoramic view of the National Park, see the Hoa Lu ancient capital, magnificent Bai Dinh pagoda, and fully admire the scenic Trang An in Ninh Binh.
>>>>> Check out Ninh Binh Tours with best price
3. What to eat at Cuc Phuong National Park
It's a pity when you visit Cuc Phuong National Park without enjoying local specialties in this area. There are many specialties of food such as mountain goats, Muong pigs, and hill chickens. Can find these most delicious dishes at restaurants inside and outside the Cuc Phuong forest.
3.1. Goat Meat
This is the most famous food here. When local people say Ninh Binh, we immediately think of mountain goat meat. Because the goat in this region lives on the rocky mountain, it's run and jump a lot, so the meat is firm and less fat than the domestic goat, combined with many types of vegetables and herbs, etc. Make goat meat in here very special.
Goat meat
3.2. Cơm Cháy Ninh Binh – (Burnt rice)
It's also very famous in here. Visitors should not miss. Ninh Binh burnt rice shows both the rustic and the ingenuity of the people who make it also shows Ninh Binh's beauty.
3.3. Cuc Phuong Chicken
This chicken is raised in the mountains and has a slice of soft and chewy meat that tourists love. When processed into a barbecue, the meat will be very delicious.
4. Cuc Phuong national park tour
The Cuc Phuong National Park tour will help customers escape the hustle and bustle of the Hanoi capital. You can go for a day tour or two days one-night combine visit other places in Ninh Binh. Here the itinerary for full day.
8:00: Our tour will pick you up at your hotel in Ha Noi city center and transfer you to Ninh Binh
10:30: Arrive at Ninh Binh, we will continue to visit Cuc Phuong National Park through beautiful countryside roads.
11:30: Arrive at Cuc Phuong National Park, you will have a chance to visit the Endangered Primate Rescue center, visit Turtle Conservation Program, and visit the botanical garden.
12:30: You will have lunch at a local restaurant.
13:15: Go to the center of the park by car, about 20 kilometers through the primary forest.
13:40: Visit “ 1000 Years Old Tree” then continue to visit cave of prehistoric man - asserted that primitive men lived here in Ninh Binh far from us today about 7000 to 12.500 years
16.00: We will come back on the bus and back to Ha Noi
18.30: Arrive in Hanoi, and drop you off at your hotel.
4.1. Some tips for visitors
Visitors should bring insect repellent, especially for families that have children.
Should wearing suitable shoes will keep your feet safe.
Should bring binoculars to see the distant scenery
Visitors are recommended to bring more water and snack because we will trek quite a lot.
You might want to visit some attractions nearby:
>>>Tam Coc boat tour - "Halong bay on land."
>>> Conquer Mua cave - Great wall of Vietnam
>>> Click here to get free itinerary planning for Cuc Phuong national park tour
Go Viet Trip hope that this article will help you understand more about Cuc Phuong national park if you need more help. Please feel free to contact us: Email: Goviettrip@gmail.com or hotline +84968667589. We are guarantee about quality and prices. Get a full refund if you do not feel happy with our services.
Author Hoan Nguyen
He has over 10 years of experience working in the tourism sector and operator. He has traveled to many places in Vietnam and around the world.
Photos: Go Viet Trip & Internet
