VN · Ninh Binh · 20.32°N 105.61°E

cuc phuong national park

Vietnam's oldest national park, with ancient trees and a primate rescue centre.

Best time
November to April is drier and cooler, with fewer leeches. Around April and May, clouds of butterflies fill the forest. Summer is hot, wet and buggy.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
About 3 hours by car from Hanoi, or about an hour from Ninh Binh town, so it pairs well with Tam Coc and Trang An. Hanoi is about 3 hours 20 minutes' flight from KL.
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VN · Ninh Binhcuc phuong national park20.32°N 105.61°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Vietnam's oldest national park, with ancient trees and a primate rescue centre.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingCuc Phuong National ParkVN, Ninh Binh
KLcuc phuong national park
≈ 1,957 km from KL, as the crow flies
Blog del viaje: <a href="http://pululante.es/vietnam" rel="nofollow">Pululando por Vietnam</a>

Photo: pululante · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Vietnam's first national park and its largest nature reserve, a big stretch of limestone forest south of Hanoi. Come for jungle walks to giant old trees and caves, and the rescue centres for endangered primates and turtles.

Makan

  1. Mountain goat (dê núi)A Ninh Binh speciality, grilled, steamed or tossed in a salad with herbs.Map ↗
  2. Cơm cháyCrispy rice crackers, Ninh Binh style, usually topped with a savoury sauce.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Endangered Primate Rescue CenterLangurs, gibbons and lorises cared for and bred here, seen on a guided visit.Map ↗
  2. Turtle Conservation CenterRescued turtles and tortoises, with good displays on the illegal wildlife trade.Map ↗
  3. The thousand-year-old treeA forest walk to a giant old tree with huge buttress roots.Map ↗
  4. Cave of Prehistoric ManA cave where traces of people from thousands of years ago were found.Map ↗
  5. Cycling the park roadRent a bike and ride the quiet road through the forest towards the park's centre.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Bring leech socks and insect repellent, especially in the wet season.
  • The primate and turtle centres are seen on guided visits, so arrive early in the day.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.