Cuc Phuong National Park Travel Guide

A Natural Wonder
Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam. Located only 120km southwest of Hanoi and nestled between the provinces of Ninh Binh province, Hoa Binh province and Thanh Hoa province, Cuc Phuong boasts engaging cultural and wildlife heritage and enchanting scenery. Magnificent Limestone Mountains rise up majestically from the green, rice-terraces and traditional stilt houses of the Muong hill-tribe. Covered in a dense forest they form a habitat for some of Asia's rarest species. It is no wonder why researchers, naturalists, enthusiasts and conservationists alike are drawn to this corner of the world.

Limestone Karst Landscape
Located on 2 limestone mountain ranges, the landscape of Cuc Phuong is a wonderfully rich ecosystem. The rocky outcrops of Cuc Phuong also contain very valuable archeological vestiges such as: a fossilized sea reptile, dated at 200 - 230 million years old and evidence of prehistoric people, who lived in the forest some 7500 years ago. These formations of limestone also contain numerous caves to explore, which are home to around forty bat species.
 
Biodiversity
The ancient forest's over 2000 species of trees, harbor 122 species of reptiles and amphibians and 133 mammals, including Clouded leopard, Delacour's languor, Owston's Civet and Asian Black Bear. There are also an incredible 307 documented bird species. Visitors in April and May should be blessed with the chance to see literally millions of vibrant butterflies.

Culture
A long time ago Cuc Phuong was home to the Muong minority people (or tribe) and to this day a few scattered villages around the park's perifery still house these interesting people and their unique culture. If you visit these communities you can still see their traditional stilt houses, waterwheels, bamboo rafts and brocade.

Around Cuc Phuong
From Cuc Phuong may we suggest you visit Van Long, where you can see Delacour's Langurs in the wild, to Tam Coc or to Pu Luong Nature Reserve all within easy access. Just ask us and we will set you on the right path.
 
Conservation Efforts
Here at Cuc Phuong there are several conservation agencies and organizations. Visitors are welcome to tour the facilities which are open to the public.

Visitor's Center
Cuc Phuong's Visitor Center introduces you to some of the park's valuable natural resources and its unique environment. It aims to increase the conservation awareness of visitors and is of particular value to students.

Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC)
One of the highlights of a visit to Cuc Phuong is the EPRC. The highly successful center has around 140 primates in breeding programs. There are currently 15 different species and subspecies of Gibbons and Langurs on site, including several in huge forested enclosures.
Open daily: 9:00 - 11:00 am and 13:30 - 16:00 p.m.
EPRC opens every half an hour

Small Carnivore Conservation Program
The national park has also worked in the field of small carnivore conservation for the last 10 years. The rescue and international breeding program for the rare Ow ston's Civet is currently expanding into a nation-wide program for civets pangolins, weasels, otters and cats, rescued from the wildlife trade. Not open to the general public

Turtle Conservation Center (TCC)
The turtle Conservation Center of Cuc Phuong National Park is a rescue facility for turtles confiscated from the wildlife trade. The center houses 19 species, many of which are now considered endangered and like the carnivore centre is involved in awareness raising, student and ranger training
Open daily: 9:00 - 11:00 am and 14:00 - 16:00 p.m.
 
Botanical Gardens
Cuc Phuong's Botanical Garden preserves gene resources and rare plants, forming a semi-wild, protected enclosure for wildlife release programs. It is the perfect place for a walk, especially early in the morning. Here you can listen for Gibbons and birds singing at dawn.

Visitor's Activities
Community-Based Ecotourism - Home stays
The forests of Cuc Phuong are valuable culturally. Providing livelihood resources for local communities. But these are under constant threat. Community-based ecotourism initiatives are beginning to turn marginalized communities into local stakeholders, creating incentives to support conservation. Why not take a trek to the Muong village of Khanh, where the hospitable local people offer 1 or 2 nights' home stay in their traditional stilt houses? While in the village you will live as one of the family, eat together, have an opportunity to explore their culture and try out bamboo river rafting!

Trekking
Excellent hiking opportunities abound in the park. Popular trails will lead you to several ancient trees, caves and Muong villages. Park staff can provide you with basic maps to find the well-marked trailheads. However, a guided tour is the best and most informative way to get the most out of both short and long treks. Longer walks, overnight treks and camping trips are also possible.

Night - Spotting
Depending on weather conditions the park can organize night-spotting trips into the primary forest. These special tours offer opportunities to find the more elusive mammal species of the park including the Black Giant squirrel, the Indian Flying squirrel, Samba deer, Loris and several small carnivores.
 
Bird Watching
Cuc Phuong is home to a wealth of beautiful tropical birds, many of them endemic to Vietnam and Indochina. Some of the rare birds that you might encounter are the Silver-Pheasant, Red-Collared Woodpecker, Brown Hornbill and the Bar-Bellied Pitta. The best time for birding is early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Cuc Phuong is fast becoming a must-see destination for scientists and birdwatchers alike.

Cycling (Bike Hire)
One fantastic way to experience Cuc Phuong is by cycling through the forest. Biking offers the visitor not only peacefulness and a cool breeze, but is also a great way to discover the more secretive animals and birds of the national park.

Traditional music performance
While in the park, you can also enjoy the traditional songs and dances of different minorities which will be performed by young Muong girls and boys who live around the national park. This activity was set up in order to preserve and bring into play the national cultural character.
 

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