Table Of Contents
- Introduction
- Where Is Cuc Phuong National Park Vietnam?
- How To Get To Cuc Phuong National Park?
- The Entrance Fee Ticket
- History Of The Cuc Phuong National Park Ninh Binh
- What To Explore In Cuc Phuong National Park?
- Hunting The Amazing Butterfly Season
- Carnivore And Pangolin Education Centre
- Endangered Primate Rescue Center
- Turtle Conservation Center
- Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden
- Visit Cuc Phuong Museum
- Trekking Through Cuc Phuong Forest
- The Mac Lake And Yen Quang Lake
- Explore Prehistoric Caves
- Silver Cloud Peak Moutain
- Muong People’s Village
- Watching Fireflies And A Starry Sky
- Travel Tips To Cuc Phuong Vietnam National Park
- Conclusion
Introduction
Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Vietnam, located in Ninh Binh province. This park is a perfect destination for those who love nature, wildlife, and adventure.
In this article, we’ll provide you with the best ways to get to Cuc Phuong National Park Vietnam. Plus, the top things to explore, and some travel tips to help you make the most of your Ninh Binh tours.
Let’s dive into the details of this nature reserve with Hoi An Private Taxi!
Where Is Cuc Phuong National Park Vietnam?
Cuc Phuong National Park is a famous tourist destination in terms of ecology and environment. This national park center is located deep in the heart of the Tam Diep mountain range in Cuc Phuong commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province.
Moreover, Cuc Phuong National Park (or Cuc Phuong Forest) is a nature reserve and special-use forest that is located on the boundary of three regions. It is the Northwest, the Red River Delta, and the North Central region of three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa.
Cuc Phuong National Park has a total area of 22,408 hectares, mainly belonging to Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province. Another 5,850 hectares belong to Thach Thanh district, Thanh Hoa province. The remaining 5,000 hectares belong to the Yen Thuy and Lac Son districts of Hoa Binh province.
You can see the Cuc Phuong National Park map below:
How To Get To Cuc Phuong National Park?
Since most of the area of Cuc Phuong National Park is situated in Ninh Binh province, so there are many means of transportation that you can choose from below:
By Private Cars
What’s the best way to see Cuc Phuong National Park? One of the most convenient ways to get to Cuc Phuong National Park is by booking a Hanoi private car or a car from Ninh Binh city. You can book our Hanoi to Ninh Binh Private Car, Ninh Binh Day Trip From Hanoi, or Hanoi to Ninh Binh Limousine.
Transferring by private car or limousine is the best option since you can depart at any time you want with a basic English-speaking driver. Besides, you will have a fabulous chance to see the beautiful scenery along the way, stop to take photos and drink Vietnamese coffee.
If you are staying in Hoi An and would like to Ninh Binh, you can book the Phong Nha to Ninh Binh Private Car. Besides, another best way to visit Cuc Phuong is to join our Cuc Phuong National Park Tour Full Day from Hanoi or Ninh Binh.
The distance from Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park is more than 120 kilometers, which takes about 3 hours to drive. Moreover, it is just 54.4 kilometers (1 hour 30 minutes) to get to Cuc Phuong National Park from Ninh Binh city.
By Coach
Visitors can depart from Giap Bat coach station to go to the Nho Quan route, then from Nho Quan take a bus or taxi to Cuc Phuong about 20 minutes.
By Train Or motorbike
From Hanoi, you drive a motorbike along National Highway 1A. When coming to Gian Khau junction (Ninh Binh), turn to National Highway 12A, and go through Nho Quan town for about 2km to get to Cuc Phuong National Park.
The motorbike is very suitable for adventure lovers. However, this vehicle will not be able to carry many belongings and easily get lost if you don’t know the way. Instead, you can also take the train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
The motorbike is very suitable for adventure lovers. However, this vehicle will not be able to carry many belongings and easily get lost if you don’t know the way. Instead, you can also take the train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. You can book the train tickets online via official websites or buy directly at the train station.
The fee is reasonable, and you will be able to see lots of beautiful scenery along the route. However, after you get to Ninh Binh railway station, you must take a taxi, or bus, or rent a motorbike to go to the National Park.
The Entrance Fee Ticket
Cuc Phuong National Park entrance fee:
- Children under 5 years old: Free
- Children 5 years old and upward: 10,000 VND/child
- Pupils and students: 20,000 VND/person
- Adult: 60,000 VND/person
Ticket prices to visit conservation centers:
- For adults: 50,000 VND/1 center
- Students, pupils, children: 20,000 VND/1 center
Note: The above fare is only a ticket to the inside of Cuc Phuong National Park, not included with some other services such as car rental, boat, dining or tour guide, etc. For pupils and students who want to receive the preferential price, they need to have a pupil or student card.
History Of The Cuc Phuong National Park Ninh Binh
Cuc Phuong National Park is an archaeological site. Relics of prehistoric people dating back about 12,000 years have been discovered such as graves, stone axes, stone arrows, shell knives, etc.
In 1960, the Cuc Phuong forest was recognized as a forest reserve.
Cuc Phuong was established under Decision 72 on July 7, 1962, with an area of 20,000 ha marking Cuc Phuong as the first national park in Vietnam.
On August 9, 1986, Cuc Phuong was listed in the list of special-use forests under Decision 194 of the Government of Vietnam.
Cuc Phuong National Park is also one of the best national parks in Vietnam.
Moreover, the World Travel Awards honored Cuc Phuong National Park as Asia’s leading national park for 4 consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022).
What To Explore In Cuc Phuong National Park?
With a diverse range of flora and fauna, stunning landscapes, and prehistoric caves, Cuc Phuong National Park is a must-visit destination. You can join or watch the “Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths”. It is an impressive annual international run to spread the message of conservation and sustainable development.
Many visitors come here to explore the rich flora and fauna and admire the beautiful natural landscape. Additionally, they can also experience many different forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, environmental tourism, camping, etc.
Depending on weather conditions, the National Park may host a nighttime wildlife viewing program. Participating in this program, you will have the opportunity to see some wild animals such as black squirrels, flying squirrels, roe deer, coolie, etc.
Firstly, it is Cuc Phuong Visitor Centre which was built by AusAid and FFI sponsored and this is also the first visitor education center established in Indochina. This is a place to visit and also a place to do necessary procedures before entering the National park.
There are a number of visiting attractions that you can explore as follows:
Hunting The Amazing Butterfly Season
The butterfly season of the Cuc Phuong forest falls around May. At this time, They attempt to escape from their larvae shells and transform into beautiful butterflies with colorful wings.
The number of butterflies is up to millions, creating a very unique and fanciful scene. Hence, this is a great background for you to record yourself with the most gorgeous virtual live photos.
Carnivore And Pangolin Education Centre
It is 500m from Cuc Phuong National Park Headquarters, you can easily visit the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Education Centre. You can learn and discover the beauty of endangered wildlife species in Vietnam. With the Center’s interactive creative space, you can:
- Visit rescued animals in long-term care and hear their stories.
- Discover 39 rare and irreplaceable carnivores and pangolin species of Vietnam.
- Learn about Wildlife Conservation at Save Vietnam’s Wildlife.
- Watch footage of the rescue and release of extremely rare pangolins.
- Learn what actions you can do to protect wildlife from extinction.
- See first-hand the types of traps that have been confiscated from the illegal hunting of endangered animals. From there learn about threats to wildlife.
- Admire the footprints and listen to the sounds of carnivores and pangolins.
Endangered Primate Rescue Center
It is also called the Vietnam primate conservation program. This center is responsible for rescuing species of rare primates such as Delacour’s langur, Gray-shanked Douc langur, etc. Research on primates such as foraging, living behavior, environment, and living space.
In particular, there is a rare species of animal no longer exists anywhere else in the world except Vietnam. It is Delacour’s langurs. Therefore, they were chosen as the symbol of Cuc Phuong National Park.
Turtle Conservation Center
The turtle conservation program cares for more than 600 individuals of 19 species out of 25 species of tortoises and freshwater turtles in Vietnam.
Having successfully bred 15 species in captivity, hundreds of turtles have been released back to their natural habitat after being rescued. View more photos of turtles at the Cuc Phuong turtle conservation centre.
Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden
The Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden is a habitat of many plant species, including rare and endemic species. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the gardens and admire the beautiful flora.
Visit Cuc Phuong Museum
The museum is a place to store specimens of endangered or long-extinct species. This place keeps more than 50 archaeological samples, 122 soaked samples, and 82 animal samples.
In addition, there are also 2900 insect samples of all species and more than 12,000 plant specimens. In particular, the specimen of the Slab-tooth Reptile from 230-250 million years ago.
Therefore, this is an important research and reference site for students and experts on conservation, plants, and animals to visit and study.
Trekking Through Cuc Phuong Forest
Cuc Phuong National Park has several trekking trails that take visitors through the dense forests, limestone mountains, and prehistoric caves. Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wild animals.
Most importantly, Cuc Phuong has built many walking routes in the forest, with different itineraries and times. Therefore, you can choose for yourself the suitable routes, some of which you can explore on your own.
However, with the guidance and introduction of the tour guide, your trip will surely become more interesting and meaningful. The camping route and overnight in the forest.
However, the long walking route to the Ngoc Son conservation area and the Pu Luong Nature Reserve area are attractive routes that many tourists are interested in.
The Mac Lake And Yen Quang Lake
Only about 1.5km from the entrance gate, the quiet and fresh scenery of Mac Lake is enough to conquer first-time tourists. Visitors can rent a kayak, paddle around the lake and enjoy the charming beauty of Mac Lake in the middle of Cuc Phuong National Park.
Next, Yen Quang Lake is a scenic spot in the buffer zone of Cuc Phuong National Park. In the middle of the lake is a small islet on which there is a temple. The lake’s surface is the convergence of many flocks of swimming water birds.
On the surface of the clear blue lake, there are silhouettes of mountains, forests, and small fishing boats. Thus, the scenery is quite pristine and quiet.
Yen Quang Lake eco-tourism area includes the central area; monasteries, spiritual culture, and viharas; Luxury accommodations, bungalows, etc. Besides, there are also historical sites such as Mống communal house, Lá communal house, and Pho Ma cave, etc.
Explore Prehistoric Caves
Cave Of Prehistoric Man
Also known as the Bitter Cave, this is the place to keep the values and traces of the residence of prehistoric people. Therefore, this is considered a precious heritage of Cuc Phuong National Park.
This cave contains the vestiges of a shelter and graves of Prehistoric Man, dating from 7500 years ago. The cave was excavated in 1966, when stone axes sharp-pointed bone spears, oyster shell knives, pestles, tools for food grinding, animal bones, etc.
In particular there ancient tombs were found there, in which the dead were buried according to a certain ritual reminiscent of the idea of primitive religion. This proved the prolonged settlement of primitive religion.
It also proved the prolonged settlement of Prehistoric Man and his use of hunting, gathering as a means of subsistence. The vestiges in the cave are precious remains of a significant cultural period in the developing history of humankind.
Hang Con Moong
Con Moong Cave is located in Thanh Yen commune, Huyen Thach Thanh, Thanh Hoa province. The location is close to rivers and streams, with extremely diverse flora and fauna.
This is the cave of the prehistoric people who lived and is also an important archaeological site classified as a national monument. Furthermore, in the Cuc Phuong National Park also hot springs and a waterfall.
May Waterfall, also known as Love Waterfall, is located in the middle of a mountain valley in Dang Thuong village, Thach Lam commune, Thach Thanh district, Thanh Hoa province.
The waterfall is located in the buffer zone of the Cuc Phuong national forest, more than 100 km from Thanh Hoa city. It is more than 400 meters long from the foot of the mountain and is an ideal place to avoid the hot summer.
Moreover, there are more caves in the Cuc Phuong National Park followings:
Mang Chieng Cave: is a burial relic of Neolithic residents with a stone tool complex close to Hoa Binh culture, containing many artifacts, animal remains, and human remains.
There is also a Crescent Moon Cave located deep in the forest, from the inside of the cave looking out is a crescent moon.
Son Cung Cave is a cave located on the route to visit the thousands year Chò tree. Besides, there are also many other caves in this Vietnam national park.
Silver Cloud Peak Moutain
It is located at an altitude of 648.2m and is the highest mountain in the Cuc Phuong forest, about 3km from the center. When visitors come here, they can admire the whole national park, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and Hoa Lu ancient capital.
However, getting to the top of May Bac mountain is also difficult because of many difficult slopes. Thus, this place is suitable for those who are passionate about exploring and adventure. Hence, you should go with a guide or someone who has experience in the terrain here.
Muong People’s Village
Cuc Phuong forest is the home of the Muong ethnic people, living a simple and peaceful life with a unique culture. To reach the village of the Muong ethnic minority, you will have to walk through 15 km of the old jungle to get here.
Here, you can take photos and explore the stilt houses, brocade looms, or terraced fields. Experience the culture and traditions of the ethnic people here will be a great memory for your Ninh Binh tour.
Watching Fireflies And A Starry Sky
Have you ever witnessed with your own eyes a scene of “starry sky” and shimmering colors in the middle of the forest?
Make an appointment today to visit the Cuc Phuong forest, and directly enjoy the wonderful moments from the light of fireflies. A scene that seems to only exist in a fairy story.
It will be an endlessly exciting feeling when participating in the journey of traveling by electric car between the “starry sky” in the great night of Cuc Phuong forest.
Travel Tips To Cuc Phuong Vietnam National Park
Best Time To Visit
February – April: At this time, the weather turns to summer, and the trees are quite green and sunny, so it is suitable for sightseeing and exploring activities. At this time, you can meet some animals such as Red-billed blue magpies, pheasants, etc.
The end of April – May is considered the most suitable time to visit the Cuc Phuong forest. At this time, the weather in the forest is quite favorable, the air is cool.
At the same time, it is also the beautiful and colorful butterfly season to help you comfortably explore the diversity of flora and fauna here.
June – August: This is summer, so if you are looking for a place to avoid the intense sunshine, Cuc Phuong National Park will be a great experience. Because the climate in Cuc Phuong belongs to the tropical monsoon climate, so the average annual temperature is about 24.7 °C.
August – October: In the fall, camping trips will be very popular. At this time, the number of visitors is not too crowded. Hence, it is very suitable for those who do not like crowds.
What To Bring?
To have a safe and convenient tour in Cuc Phuong National Park, visitors need to prepare some of the following items:
- You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for trekking.
- Some snacks and avoid carrying heavy things.
- If you want to take a great photo and see the surrounding mountains clearly don’t forget to bring a camera and binoculars.
- Bring hats, flashlights (when you visit caves), bandages, and insect repellents because this is an eco-forest tourist destination with many insects and mosquitoes.
What To Eat?
After you have experienced and explored the natural landscape for a round in Cuc Phuong, you can rest and enjoy the specialties of goat meat and mountain snails here.
In addition, there are many other very attractive and interesting dishes such as grilled chicken, fried Anabas testudineus, Thanh Hoa fermented pork dish, and sipping a little Muong rice wine, etc.
Cuc Phuong National Park Accommodation
At Cuc Phuong National Park, there are several accommodation options available as below:
Park Gate Area
This is the starting point for all activities in the Garden, planning sightseeing programs. Plus, booking services and all information about Cuc Phuong.
With a scale of up to 61 rooms, you can comfortably choose double rooms, twin rooms, or single rooms to stay. Each room has various facilities, such as an en-suite bathroom, an air conditioner, a water heater, a TV, and wifi. The cost is from 350,000 – 1,000,000 VND/room/day.
In addition, there is also a stilt house with rooms’ prices ranging from 100,000 – 200,000 VND/room/day. Plus, there are services such as tour guides, laundry, mountain bicycle rental, souvenir shops, restaurants, etc.
Mac Lake Area
Rental collective stilt houses, fully furnished rooms that are very suitable for a large group of tourists. You can light a campfire and listen to ethnic music in the evening.
Room prices range from 350,000 VND – 1,500,000 VND/room/day. Besides, you can also go fishing, participate in folk games, stroll around to enjoy the fresh air, or buy some souvenirs. Plus, you can enjoy Ninh Binh food at a restaurant here.
Park Center Area (Bống)
The Bống center area is the last place inside the national park that visitors can reach by car or other vehicles. It is 20km from the park gate. There are also food, rest, and entertainment services here. However, electricity in the park center area is only available for 4 hours in the evening.
In addition to the three main areas in the National Park, accommodation, dining, and entertainment services are also organized in Muong village. The cuisine of the Muong people will surely bring you unforgettable flavors.
Wyndham Grand Vedana Ninh Binh Resort
Address: Dong Tam Village, Cuc Phuong Commune, Nho Quan District, Chi Phuong, Ninh Binh province. The Wyndham Grand Vedana Ninh Binh Resort is a popular choice for those looking for a luxury accommodation.
It is 26 kilometers from Bai Dinh Pagoda. This resort offers high-quality rooms with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden, a restaurant, a children’s club, etc.
Additionally, you can also stay at other accommodations near the Cuc Phuong National Park, such as Cuc Phuong Resort & Spa, Cuc Phuong hotel, etc.
Conclusion
After stressful periods of work or study, instead of staying in a crowded and busy city, give yourself time to rest. Plus, find new lands, and get acquainted with new places and new friends.
Therefore, Cuc Phuong National Park is the perfect destination for a trip to relieve the mind. Hopefully, Hoi An Private Taxi‘s article has given you worthy information to make a visit to this Vietnam national park.
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