Cuc Phuong National Forest is a nature reserve, home to a rich and diverse flora and fauna ecosystem in our country. Not only a national park, Cuc Phuong is also an attractive tourist destination with unique natural beauty.

HISTORY – GEOGRAPHY

Cuc Phuong National Park is an archaeological site. Relics of prehistoric people dating back about 12,000 years have been discovered such as graves, stone axes, stone arrows, shell knives, grinding tools… in some caves here prove that humans have lived in this area between 7,000 and 12,000 years ago. In 1960, Cuc Phuong forest was recognized as a forest conservation area and was established under Decision 72/TTg dated July 7, 1962 with an area of ​​20,000 ha marking the birth of the first protected area in Vietnam. Decision No. 18/QD-LN dated January 8, 1966 to change the grade of Cuc Phuong SFE to Cuc Phuong National Park. Decision No. 333/QD-LN dated May 23, 1966 defining the functions and responsibilities of the Forest Management Board. August 9, 1986, Cuc Phuong is listed in the list of special-use forests according to Decision No. 194/CT of the Government of Vietnam with the management classification of 25,000 ha National Park. The economic-technical argument of the national park was approved on May 9, 1988 under Decision No. 139/CT. In which, the boundary of the garden was redefined with a total area of ​​22,200 ha, including 11,350 ha in Ninh Binh province, 5,850 ha in Thanh Hoa province and 5,000 ha in Hoa Binh province. Forest coordinates: From 20°14′ to 20°24′ north latitude, 105°29′ to 105°44′ east longitude. 850 ha belongs to Thanh Hoa province and 5,000 ha belongs to Hoa Binh province. Forest coordinates: From 20°14′ to 20°24′ north latitude, 105°29′ to 105°44′ east longitude. 850 ha belongs to Thanh Hoa province and 5,000 ha belongs to Hoa Binh province. Forest coordinates: From 20°14′ to 20°24′ north latitude, 105°29′ to 105°44′ east longitude.

Cuc Phuong National Park was established according to Decision No. 72/TTg dated 7/7/1962 of the Prime Minister and Decision No. 139/CT dated May 9, 1998 of the Government. The park belongs to the administrative boundaries of three provinces: Ninh Binh (most of Cuc Phuong commune, a part of Ky Phu, Van Phuong and Yen Quang communes of Nho Quan district), Thanh Hoa (most of limestone mountains, soil mountains, valleys). Thach Lam, Thach Yen, Thanh My, Thanh Yen communes of Thach Thanh district), Hoa Binh (all limestone forests of Lac Thinh, Yen Lac, Phu Lai, Yen Tri and Ngoc Luong communes of Yen Thuy district, commune Yen Nghiep, An Nghia belong to Lac Son district).

What’s attractive about Cuc Phuong National Forest?

Cuc Phuong National Forest is a place worth experiencing. Visitors can explore Cuc Phuong botanical forest. Characterized by tropical rainforest, this place has cool weather, unique ecosystems, especially the black-and-white rump langur. Meanwhile, the center for the rescue, conservation and development of creatures will be the place where visitors can witness many primates with their own eyes. At the same time, you can learn more interesting knowledge about creatures. 

In addition, visitors can visit Cuc Phuong museum. This is the place to display biological samples. Visitors can find information about many species of insects here. If you love nature and are interested in living things, this will be the place to visit in Cuc Phuong National Park.

Besides the biological system, the natural landscape is a highlight not to be missed when coming to Cuc Phuong National Park. Seeing the whole scenery of Cuc Phuong, Trang An, Bai Dinh, enjoying the peaceful scenery on Yen Quang lake, exploring the mysterious prehistoric caves will be interesting experiences for visitors. In particular, the Muong village is a place where you have the opportunity to learn about the culture and lifestyle of the Muong people in Cuc Phuong. 

If you visit Cuc Phuong National Forest in May, don’t forget to take pictures of the beautiful butterfly season here. The beauty of countless butterflies creates a unique and fancy scene that is rarely found anywhere else. 

BIODIVERSITY

Plants
In which, the botanical branch has 31 families, 57 genera, 149 species; gymnosperms have 3 families, 3 genera and 3 species; Angiosperms have 154 families, 747 genera and 1588 species. With an area only equal to 1/700 of the Northern area and nearly 1/1500 of the whole country, the flora of Cuc Phuong National Park accounts for 76% of the families, 48.6% of the genera and 30% of the species. of the North and accounted for 68.9% of the families, 43.6% of the genera and 24.6% of the existing species in Vietnam. The vegetation of Cuc Phuong is dominated by forests on limestone mountains. Forests can form many layers of canopy up to 5 distinct layers, in which the canopy layer reaches a height of over 40 m. Due to the steep topography, the canopy layer is often discontinuous and sometimes the stratification is not clear. Many trees have developed a wide root system in response to the often thin topsoil. The national park is now home to many large species of trees such as green cypress, cha chi or Dang, currently protected to attract visitors. It is also rich in woody and medicinal plants.

Cuc Phuong has a rich flora. Currently, scientists have counted nearly 2,000 species of vascular plants belonging to 887 genera in 221 plant families. The most species-rich families in the flora of Cuc Phuong are the families of Dai Dai, Hoa Thao, Beans, Herbs, Chrysanthemums, Mulberries, Laurels, Sedges, Orchids and Oro.

The climate in Cuc Phuong belongs to the tropical monsoon climate, the average annual temperature is about 24.7 °C. The terrain is complex, the forest in its primeval form holds many mysteries, and the landscape is unique. There are many caves with interesting landscapes and hidden historical and cultural vestiges.

The flora is very rich with 1,944 species belonging to 908 genera and 229 families. In particular, there are green cypress trees, ancient crocodile trees all over 1,000 years old, from 50-70m high. Particularly orchids have up to 50 species, some species give flowers and fragrance all year round. Currently, Cuc Phuong National Park has become a center for supplying rare and valuable plant species for afforestation programs in the region and across the country.

Animals in
Cuc Phuong Forest has a fairly rich and diverse ecosystem, including 97 species of mammals (of which the most prominent are Asian monkeys), 137 species of birds, 76 species of reptiles, 46 species of amphibians, and 11 species of mammals. fish and thousands of species of insects. Many species are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam.
Cuc Phuong is home to a number of conservationally important mammal populations, including the globally endangered primate species, the critically endangered white-leg langur and the globally endangered is the civet, the leopard is a nationally threatened species. Cuc Phuong also has more than 40 species of bats recorded here.

To date, 313 bird species have been identified in Cuc Phuong. Cuc Phuong is located at the northern end of the endemic lowland bird area of ​​Central Vietnam, however, only one species with a limited distribution area has been recorded here, the long-billed babbler. Cuc Phuong is recognized as an important bird area in Vietnam.

Many other groups of organisms have also been investigated and studied in Cuc Phuong, including snails. About 111 species of snails were recorded in a recent survey, of which 27 are endemic[9]. The fish fauna in the underground caves has also been studied, at least one species of fish has been recorded here that is endemic to the limestone mountains, which is Cuc Phuong cave nirvana. Cuc Phuong has identified 280 butterfly species, 7 of which were first recorded in Vietnam at Cuc Phuong in 1998.

Prehistoric caves
Nguoi Xua Cave: is a residence and burial relic of prehistoric people, a unique cultural site in the history of human development and a valuable heritage in the object of protection. of Cuc Phuong forest.
Con Moong Cave: located near rivers and streams, the area has rich and diverse fauna and flora, so it was chosen by ancient people as a long-term residence. The cave is wide and long, with 2 connecting doors. Con Moong Cave has a rather thick cultural stratigraphy, a very complex structure, with successive interweaving of clay, mollusk shells and streaks of coal ash.
Moon Crescent Cave is located deep in the forest, from inside the cave looking out is a crescent moon.
Thuy Tien cave was created by the activities of limestone mountains, whose beauty is said to be similar to the palace of King Thuy Te with underwater fairies.

Typical old trees
: The ancient tree is a 45m tall tree, up to 5m in diameter and has roots floating on the ground running about 20m long. From the gate by car, through Nguoi Xua cave about 2 km, on the left side is the path to the 3 km long tree. Overcome 5 rocky slopes, with many plant biomes. It is a tree with seven leaves and one flower (the most flowery genus of flowers); are woody vines 20–30 cm in diameter and about 100 m long, found only in Cuc Phuong. On the way to the tree, you can observe precious birds such as red-bellied squirrel, red-headed woodpecker, white pheasant or animals such as squirrel, black squirrel, red-bellied squirrel, white rump langur…
Thousand-year-old tree: is a great tree 45m high, 5m in diameter and has a circumference of more than 20 people to hug. From the center follow a trail in the old forest to reach the tree. Visitors will meet on the giant vine with a root diameter of 0.5m, running for 1 km across the forest and the strangled species. The seeds germinate in other tree holes. When their roots are attached to the soil, they grow very quickly, gradually squeezing the host plant. Visitors can also admire the Cho trees that are only up to 70m high, with straight and round bodies. It takes almost 3 hours to go to and back for this route.
The ancient crocodile tree is a 45m tall tree, the root system is divided from the trunk at a height of about 10m and then grows up to 20m long. On the way to Crocodile Tree, visitors can also admire the woody vines; ancient species of Polygonum; epiphytic species such as mistletoe, kite’s nest, orchid; birds such as red-headed woodpeckers, striped-bellied tails, etc.

Muong Ban Muong ethnic minority
: From the center through the old forest, valley, pass steep pass with a length of about 16 km, visitors will come to Muong village (Khanh village in An Nghia commune, Lac Son district, Hoa Binh province). ). Ban Khanh is located on the left bank of the Buoi River with stilt houses, terraced fields… The road to Muong village is long and has to go through many steep slopes with a time of 6-8 hours, this route must have a guide of the garden.

It can be affirmed that Cuc Phuong National Park is a valuable tourism resource and the pride of Ninh Binh tourism. Thereby, contributing to building a diverse and unique tourism ecosystem of this province.