Vietnam’s largest national park is located in Vinh Binh Province less than 60 miles from Hanoi. The park sees day-trippers from Hanoi and Vinh Binh and also accommodates overnight guests.
Founded in 1962, Cuc Phuong National Park is the finest example of conservation in Vietnam. Visitors have ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and view wildlife, and the proceeds generated are used to enhance conservation.
Birdwatchers are in their element here, with hundreds of bird species in the park. The rarest animal is the langur, an endangered mammal with a few dozen species left in Vietnam and in India.
The landscape is dotted with bizarre limestone formations. These karst structures set the ideal stage for hiking and other outdoor activities. There are trails suited for every skill level, with short loops and long-distance day hikes available. It is possible to book even longer treks with an overnight stay in a remote Muong village.
Three animal rehabilitation centers are found in the park. The Endangered Primate Rescue Center includes a number of langurs and gibbons. They are kept in wild enclosures or smaller rooms depending on the level of care they need.
Another conservation center is for breeding turtles and releasing them in the wild in hopes of boosting Vietnam’s fading turtle population. Next-door is the Carnivore Conservation Center where civets, otters and weasels are cared for.
Getting There & Away
Theoretically, tourists can visit the park on a daytrip from Hanoi, where there’s a large international airport. Buses depart from the Giap Bat Terminal and travel as far as Nho Quan, roughly two hours away. From here, transportation is by motorcycle taxi or a rental vehicle. The best way to visit is by basing yourself nearby in Hoa Lu or Ninh Binh.