Cúc Phương National Park, established in 1962, is recognized as the first national park and nature reserve of Vietnam, covering an area of more than 22,000 hectares across three provinces — Ninh Bình, Hòa Bình, and Thanh Hóa. The park protects one of the oldest tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia, estimated to be over 200 million years old, and is renowned for its dense limestone mountains, hidden caves, waterfalls, and diverse ecosystems.

Archaeological evidence reveals that humans inhabited this area more than 7,000 years ago. Ancient stone tools, bones, and pottery fragments discovered in the Cave of Prehistoric Man and nearby sites mark it as one of the earliest known settlements in the Indochina region, showcasing traces of early human civilization.

Cúc Phương is a sanctuary of biodiversity, home to over 2,000 species of plants and more than 260 species of animals, including rare and endangered ones such as the Delacour’s Langur, Owston’s Civet, and Serow. Birdwatchers can find more than 300 bird species, many of which are endemic to northern Vietnam. Within the park lies the Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC) — a conservation and rehabilitation facility dedicated to rescuing and breeding endangered primates before reintroducing them into the wild. Visitors can tour the center to learn about Vietnam’s wildlife protection efforts.

Popular activities in the park include jungle trekking, biking through forest trails, and birdwatching. From April to June, the park hosts a breathtaking Butterfly Season, when thousands of colorful butterflies fill the forest air — a rare and enchanting natural event. Adventurers can explore spectacular caves such as Son Nha Cave and Dragon Cave, or visit ancient 1,000-year-old trees standing as silent witnesses of time. For cultural experiences, visitors can stay in Muong ethnic homestays, where local villagers offer traditional food, bamboo houses, and authentic hospitality amid peaceful rural surroundings.

Cúc Phương National Park is not only a haven for nature lovers but also a living museum of natural history, combining ecological richness, prehistoric heritage, and cultural charm. It is an ideal destination for ecotourism, environmental education, and scientific research — a place where visitors can reconnect with the timeless beauty of Vietnam’s ancient rainforest.

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How to Get There

• From Hanoi, travel by car or bus to Ninh Binh (about 120 km, 2.5 to 3 hours), then continue another 30 km to the park entrance. Local transport or bicycles are available for visiting different areas inside the park

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Travel Tips

• Best time to visit: dry season (September to December) or butterfly season (April to May)

• Bring comfortable walking shoes, hat, and insect repellent

• Stay overnight in park guesthouses or Muong homestays for a deeper experience

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Admission Fee

• Vietnamese visitors: around 40,000 VND

• Foreign visitors: around 60,000 VND
  (Fees may vary depending on season and activities)

Opening Hours

• Open daily from: 06:00 AM to 07:00 PM