Cuc Phuong National Park, virgin rainforest

Cuc Phuong National Park, an area of 25,000ha, is located in Ninh Binh province, 120km southwest of Hanoi. Created in July 1962, this park is the oldest and best-equipped in the country

Biodiversity

As a rainforest, Cuc Phuong has a very abundant and varied flora and fauna. According to recent survey data on Cuc Phuong Forest, there are more than 2000 species of higher plants, including 433 species of medicinal plants, 229 species of edible plants and many species listed in Vietnam’s Red Book data. As for animals, Cuc Phuong Forest has 122 species of reptiles and amphibians, 65 fish species, nearly 2000 species of insects, 133 species of mammals (including black and white langur, very beautiful, which is considered as a symbol of Cuc Phuong national Park). With over 300 species of birds including several unique to Vietnam and Indochina, Cuc Phuong Forest is the ideal destination for those who love ornithology.

Karst landscape and archaeological value

Situated in the foothills of the northern Annamite Range, Cuc Phuong consists of verdant karst mountains and lush valleys. There are many beautiful caves, including those with traces of prehistoric people living 7,500 years to 12,000 years. Artifacts dating back to that time have been found in many caves of the park as well as human burials, stone axes, spears with tips made of bone, oyster shell knives and even grinding tools. In 2000, a vertebrate fossil was discovered. According to initial conclusion of paleontologists from the Institute of Biology of Vietnam, it is a fossilized reptile that lived there about 200 to 230 million years.

Cultural Identity

Historically, Cuc Phuong is home to the Muong community with its unique culture and typical characteristics like houses on stilts, rice terraces, weaving frames, festivals, traditions and lifestyle of the community where visitors can feel once coming here.

Things to do

Walking in nature to admire this dense vegetation with over 2000 species of plants and trees and over 2000 different flowers. You may see along the road one of 250 species of animals, mammals, birds or reptiles! Different courses are offered and the shortest is about 8km.

You can see old trees which is awesome!

It is also possible to visit some Muong villages that have settled in the park, especially Kanh Village.

Finally, at the entrance, you can stop at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center. A project set up in 1995 by Vietnamese and German researches aiming at improving the life of monkeys on the Vietnamese territory. Thus, over 20 species of animals are cared for and can be observed.