Cuc Phuong National Park

With an area of 25,000 hectares and located 140 km south of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong is Vietnam's first National Park, established in 1962. The botanical richness of the forest is extremely impressive with its diverse plant species and patches of primeval forest, including ancient trees with massive root systems, as well as parasitic plants and ligneous creepers.

Some tree species have been introduced from Myanmar, India, and Borneo. Clusters of orchids grow near cave entrances, where the moisture conditions and light are ideal. Orchid varieties include thousand-year-old Dracontomelum and Parashorea trees, which visitors can explore through one or two-hour hiking trails, along with coral, vanilla, snow-white, and butterfly orchids.

The National Park is the habitat of large mammals such as panthers and bears, although they rarely appear. The most common animals that visitors can see are monkeys, gibbons, flying squirrels, and pheasants. Additionally, there are over 120 bird species and many varieties of beetles living here. In April and May, swarms of butterflies arrive. At night, millions of cicadas create a deafening chorus, and millions of fireflies flicker about.

Situated in a limestone area, Cuc Phuong has numerous caves. At "Nguoi Xua" (Cave of Early Man), two ancient tombs have been discovered, along with Neolithic remains and evidence of stone implements. Similar finds have been made at Trang Khuyet (Crescent Moon), Thanh Minh, and Con Mong Caves. Hang Dan Cave is known for its bat population.

Hiking in Cuc Phuong involves following several kilometers of trails, passing through old-growth forests with long vines wrapped around ancient trees, visiting caves, waterfalls, and streams in the forest, or stopping over at a Muong ethnic village. Located between three provinces, visitors can easily combine a trip to Cuc Phuong with a trip to Hoa Binh or Ninh Binh province. Alternatively, visitors can depart from Hanoi, spend the entire day exploring the forest, and overnight at the National Park's guest house.