Cuc Phuong National Park

Located a hundred kilometers southeast of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh province) in the easternmost part of a limestone range emanating from the Son La Plateau in the northern Vietnam. Cuc Phuong is a globally important example  of a terrestrial karst ecosystem and the only remaining large area of lowland and limestone forest in northern Vietnam. Just two hours south of Hanoi, large shadows of the first karst towers interrupt the reflections from the rice fields, signaling Cuc Phuong’s proximity.

In the spring, millions of white and yellow migrating butterflies surround visitors as soon as they enter the park. In the afternoon, visitors can take a walk on a marked, two-hour trail to see Cuc Phuong’s giant trees in a rare stand of primary tropical forest. An incredible diversity of trees, lianas and ferns overgrows the karsts. An important archaeological site which was a home of early man, is also home to seventeen species of bats. Visitors can watch endangered Owston’s palm civits which are nocturnal search for insects in their spacious enclosure at FFI’s small civit conservation facility. Some civits have successfully bred in captivity. It is a special pleasure to watch the baby civits.

Cuc Phuong’s giant trees

Visitors who stay overnight can go birding in the morning chill at 6 A.M and might see barbellied Pitta birds and trogons just beyond the park gates. Silver pheasants and jungle fowl are pletiful. On the way home, travelers can turn left to visit Van Long, a small limestone outcrop surrounded by a wetland just before the junction with highway 1. Local villagers will row visitors in small boats so that they can come close to the rock. In addition, they can see Delacour’s langurs, a critically endangered primate endemic to the Cuc Phuong -  Pu Luong limestone range. Protected by local people, the langurs cavort in the late afternoon as tourists watch.

CucPhuong National Park - NinhBinh