Cuc Phuong National Park

Located about 100 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the most famous tourist sites in Ninh Binh as well as in Northern Vietnam. Established in 1962 and spreading on an area of around 222 square kilometers, the park is one of the most important sites for biodiversity in the country as it is the great home to numerous of animal and plant life including 137 species of bird, 97 species of mammal, 76 species of reptile, 1944 plan species and counting. Cuc Phuong National Park is considered the most essential protected area and it attracts thousands of both domestic and international tourists coming to visit every month.

At Cuc Phuong, there are 2 main centers that are very informative and useful in helping you to get more knowledge about the park’s conservation efforts. They are Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC) and Turtle Conservation Center (TCC). Housing around 150 primates from endangered species in large enclosures, EPRC’s aim is to release the animals back into the wildlife. Lying over the road nearby EPRC is the TCC where most of the turtles are rescued from trading and taken care of. Visiting the park, you can also discover the typical features of nature, immerse yourself in the fresh air, explore several limestone caves and get in touch with the minority Muong people who live on the western edge of the area. Due to the large size of the park, you can consider to spend a full day or get more experience by staying overnight at the standard quality accommodation right in the site.

Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh

The most perfect time for planning a trip to Cuc Phuong National Park is during the dry months from November to February. Especially, you can luckily capture beautiful images of millions of butterflies breeding here in April and May. When the weather becomes hot in summer, it is wet and muddy which causes a bit of challenge for outdoor visiting. The months from July to October often see more chances of rain so, the caves’ entrances are closed for safety reasons.

From Hanoi, it takes around 2.5 to 3 hours driving to reach Cuc Phuong National Park. Upon arrival at the reception, you can choose to rent a bike or a motorbike to explore the surroundings as the park center lies around 20 kilometers apart and is along a paved road.