Vietnam's first national park, declared in 1962, covering primary limestone rainforest on the Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa borders. Its main draws are the thousand-year-old Tetrameles tree on the Ancient Tree Trail, the Cave of Prehistoric Man, and the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre and Turtle Conservation Centre at the park headquarters.
Cuc Phuong National Park, declared in 1962, is Vietnam's first national park and covers primary limestone rainforest across the borders of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces. The park headquarters lie in Nho Quan District, about 120 km southwest of Hanoi, and the journey takes 2 to 2.5 hours each way. A private car with driver costs roughly 1,300,000 to 1,600,000 VND, while independent visitors can take a bus from Giap Bat bus station to Nho Quan and then a taxi for the final 20 km. Park entry is 60,000 VND per adult.
The most popular sights are on and near the park's headquarters road. The Ancient Tree Trail leads to a Tetrameles nudiflora tree thought to be about a thousand years old, standing more than 40 m tall with buttress roots. The Cave of Prehistoric Man contains evidence of human habitation from about 7,500 years ago, and a trail of roughly 1 to 2 hours leads to it. Near the park gate, the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre cares for langurs and gibbons, and the Turtle Conservation Centre houses rare freshwater turtles, both of which charge small entry fees and support conservation work.
A one-day plan starts early, reaching the park headquarters by 9:00 am for a visit to the primate centre while the animals are active, followed by the Ancient Tree Trail in the late morning. Lunch is taken at the park restaurant or a small eatery near the gate, serving rice, vegetables and grilled meat. The afternoon can be used for the Cave of Prehistoric Man walk or a visit to the turtle centre, with an early-evening return to Hanoi. Because of the distance, many visitors choose to stay overnight in park bungalows to allow a night walk or dawn birding.
November to April offers dry trails and cooler temperatures, while late April and May bring the famous mass butterfly emergence, when thousands of butterflies fill the forest paths. The rainy summer months make trails slippery and leeches common. Visitors should wear long trousers, sturdy shoes and insect repellent, and carry water. Guides are available at the headquarters for trekking, and prices vary with the length of the route.
| Distance | About 120 km / 75 miles from Hanoi |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 2-2.5 hours each way by road |
| Getting there | Private car or a bus from Giap Bat bus station to Nho Quan followed by a taxi for the last 20 km; park entry is 60,000 VND / 2.31 USD per adult |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Cuc Phuong National Park headquarters, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam |
How to get there
- Private car with driver (about 1,300,000-1,600,000 VND / 50.00-61.54 USD one way), bus plus taxi, organised trekking day tour, motorbike
Location
Cuc Phuong National Park headquarters, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam
20.2542, 105.7186 View on map
Highlights
- See a Tetrameles tree believed to be about a thousand years old on the Ancient Tree Trail
- Walk to the Cave of Prehistoric Man, a site of early human habitation
- Visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre to see langurs and gibbons
- Meet rare freshwater turtles at the Turtle Conservation Centre
- Witness the mass butterfly emergence in late April and May
Tips for visiting
- Hire a private car or join a tour; public transport requires a taxi for the last 20 km.
- Start early to see primates active and to allow time for at least two trails.
- Wear long trousers, sturdy shoes and repellent; leeches are common after rain.
- Consider an overnight in the park bungalows if the aim is night walks or birding.
- Bring water and snacks, as services beyond the headquarters are limited.
When to visit
November to April for dry trails; late April and May for the mass butterfly emergence. Start early in the morning for wildlife.
Accessibility
The headquarters area, primate centre and turtle centre have level paths, but forest trails and the cave route are uneven, with roots, steps and slippery patches. Wheelchair access is limited to the headquarters zone.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Cuc Phuong from Hanoi?
About 120 km, or 2 to 2.5 hours each way by road.
What does park entry cost?
Entry is 60,000 VND per adult, and the primate and turtle centres charge separate small fees.
When is the butterfly season?
Late April and May, when mass emergences of butterflies fill the forest trails.
Can it be combined with Ninh Binh?
Yes. Cuc Phuong lies about 45 minutes from Tam Coc and Trang An, but a same-day combination is tiring, so an overnight stay works better.