Cuc Phuong National Park 2026: Trekking, Tickets & Tips

Cuc Phuong National Park (Vườn quốc gia Cúc Phương) is Vietnam’s first national park, founded on 7 July 1962. Its 22,408 hectares of limestone rainforest straddle Ninh Binh, Phu Tho (formerly Hoa Binh) and Thanh Hoa, about 45 km from Ninh Binh city. Visitors come for jungle trails, a thousand-year-old tree, prehistoric caves and the Endangered Primate Rescue Center. Adult entry is 60,000 VND.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal; adult entry is 60,000 VND (students 20,000 VND, children 10,000 VND). Since 1 July 2025 the park’s Hoa Binh section belongs to Phu Tho province after the provincial mergers; trails can be muddy and leech-prone after heavy rain from June to September.

Why Cuc Phuong National Park is worth seeing:

Vietnam’s oldest national park, protected since 1962 and still covered in primary limestone forest.
Rescue centres for endangered primates, turtles, carnivores and pangolins you can visit.
Giant trees, including the famous thousand-year-old chò tree, about 45 m tall.
Prehistoric caves with traces of people who lived here 7,000–12,000 years ago.
Butterflies and fireflies: clouds of butterflies in April–May and fireflies on spring evenings.

Cuc Phuong National Park at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Vườn quốc gia Cúc Phương
Location	Western Ninh Binh (former Nho Quan district), extending into Phu Tho (former Hoa Binh) and Thanh Hoa provinces; main gate and headquarters on the Ninh Binh side
Distance	About 45 km north-west of Ninh Binh city and about 120 km (2.5–3 hours) from Hanoi
Area	22,408 hectares
Known for	Primary forest trekking, Endangered Primate Rescue Center, thousand-year-old tree, Cave of Prehistoric Man, butterflies
Recognition	Vietnam’s first national park (1962); Asia’s Leading National Park, World Travel Awards (five years running to 2023)
Opening hours	Daily, about 6:00–19:00 at the gate; rescue centres open for guided visits at set times during the day
Entrance fee	Adults 60,000 VND (about US$2.30); students 20,000 VND; children 10,000 VND
Time needed	A full day; 2 days to trek and stay overnight
Best time	October–April for trekking; April–May for butterflies
Nearby	Van Long Nature Reserve, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Kenh Ga, Trang An
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia

Is Cuc Phuong National Park Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you want real forest and wildlife conservation rather than another boat trip. Cuc Phuong is the easiest place near Hanoi to walk in primary rainforest, and the rescue centres give a close look at species you are unlikely to see in the wild. It is not a place for big-animal safaris: wild mammals are shy and the forest is dense.

Best for: hikers, families with children, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers in butterfly season and anyone who wants a break from crowds.
Skip if: you have only one day in Ninh Binh and want the classic karst scenery; choose Trang An instead.
Short on time: visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and the Cave of Prehistoric Man, then walk one short trail.

History of Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong was first set aside as a forest reserve in 1960, and on 7 July 1962 the government made it Vietnam’s first national park (Decision 72-TTg). President Ho Chi Minh visited the forest soon afterwards and urged that it be protected for future generations.

The park sits in the Tam Diep limestone hills where three provinces meet. Since the provincial mergers of 1 July 2025, those provinces are Ninh Binh (now including Ha Nam and Nam Dinh), Phu Tho (which absorbed Hoa Binh) and Thanh Hoa. The park covers 22,408 hectares across more than a dozen communes.

A centre of conservation

Cuc Phuong pioneered wildlife rescue in Vietnam. The Endangered Primate Rescue Center opened in 1993 with support from the Frankfurt Zoological Society, followed by the Turtle Conservation Center and the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program, and a botanical garden founded in 1985. The park has been named Asia’s Leading National Park at the World Travel Awards five years in a row up to 2023.

Biodiversity in numbers

According to the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency, Cuc Phuong records 2,234 species of higher plants and mosses, 135 mammals, 336 birds, 122 reptiles and amphibians, 66 fish and nearly 2,000 insects. The white-rumped Delacour’s langur is the park’s symbol.

What to See at Cuc Phuong National Park

1. Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC)

Near the park headquarters, the EPRC cares for rescued langurs, gibbons and lorises, many confiscated from illegal trade, and breeds rare species such as the Delacour’s langur. Visits are guided, at set times, and a small fee applies.

2. Turtle Conservation Center

Next door, this centre houses native freshwater turtles and tortoises seized from traders and explains why Vietnam’s turtles are among the most threatened in Asia.

3. Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program

Here you can learn about civets, small cats and pangolins, the world’s most trafficked mammals, and the rescue work that returns them to the forest.

4. Cave of Prehistoric Man (Động Người Xưa)

A short climb leads to a cave where archaeologists found human graves, stone tools and shells. Finds in the park’s caves date from about 7,000 to 12,000 years ago, making Cuc Phuong one of the oldest known homes of people in northern Vietnam.

5. The thousand-year-old chò tree

The park’s best-known trail leads to an ancient chò tree about 45 m tall with huge buttress roots. Part of the tree has decayed, but it remains an impressive sight; nearby stands an ancient sấu tree so wide that many people are needed to encircle it.

Giant thousand-year-old tree in Cuc Phuong National Park — The famous thousand-year-old tree is one of the park’s most popular trail stops. Photo: TomFitzhenry, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

6. Bong area and the forest trails

About 20 km inside the gate, the Bong area is the starting point for most trails, from a short loop to the ancient trees to a full-day trek. Longer routes, such as the hike towards May Bac peak (about 656 m), the highest point, need a ranger guide.

7. Mac Lake and the botanical garden

Near the gate, Mac Lake has a campsite, and the botanical garden displays native and medicinal plants, a good stop for families.

8. Muong villages

Muong communities live around the park in stilt houses among terraced fields. Some trekking routes and homestays include a visit or an overnight stay.

Cuc Phuong National Park Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Item	Details
Adults	60,000 VND (about US$2.30)
Students (with card)	20,000 VND
Children	10,000 VND
Conservation centres programme	About 50,000 VND per adult, 20,000 VND per child
Park gate hours	Daily, about 6:00–19:00
Guides	Ranger guides can be booked at the visitor centre for longer trails

Prices follow the Ninh Binh tourism price list published in 2025 and may change; confirm guide and transport fees at the visitor centre.

How to Visit Cuc Phuong, Step by Step

Arrive at the main gate early, ideally by 8:00, and buy tickets at the visitor centre.
Visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and the turtle centre near headquarters first.
Drive or cycle into the forest, stopping at the Cave of Prehistoric Man.
Continue to the Bong area and walk the trail to the thousand-year-old tree.
Return to the gate by late afternoon, or stay overnight in park accommodation or camp at Mac Lake.

Rules for visiting the forest

Stay on marked trails and take a ranger guide on long routes.
Do not feed, touch or call to animals; do not collect plants or insects.
No littering; carry rubbish out of the forest.
Wear long trousers and closed shoes; use leech socks in the wet season.

How to Get to Cuc Phuong National Park

From	How	Time
Ninh Binh city	Private car or taxi via Nho Quan	About 1 hour
Tam Coc / Trang An	Private car or motorbike	About 1–1.25 hours
Hanoi	Private car or tour	About 2.5–3 hours
Hanoi by public transport	Bus or train to Ninh Binh, then taxi	About 4 hours
Park gate to Bong area	Car, park transport or bicycle	About 20 km, 30–40 minutes by car

See the options in our guide to getting around Ninh Binh.

Best Time to Visit Cuc Phuong National Park

When	What to expect
October–December	Dry, cool and comfortable for trekking; the best overall season.
January–March	Cool to cold, sometimes drizzly; quiet trails.
April–May	Butterfly season, with fireflies on warm evenings (April–June); hotter and more humid.
June–September	Hot and rainy, very green; muddy trails and leeches.
Weekdays vs weekends	Weekdays are quiet; weekends bring school groups and campers.

Local Expert Tips for Cuc Phuong National Park

These tips come from years of arranging Ninh Binh tours for international travellers.

Stay one night inside or near the park; dawn and dusk are the best times for birds and sounds of the forest.
Plan your day around the rescue centres’ guided visit times, then trek.
Bring insect repellent, water and snacks; services in the forest are basic.
Combine Cuc Phuong with the Van Long wetland, where Delacour’s langurs can be seen in the wild.
In butterfly season, visit on sunny mornings after rain for the biggest swarms.
Check our practical Ninh Binh travel advice for weather and money tips.

Cuc Phuong National Park vs Van Long Nature Reserve

Feature	Cuc Phuong	Van Long
Landscape	Primary limestone rainforest	Wetland lagoon and karst peaks
Activity	Trekking, rescue centres, caves	Bamboo-boat trip
Wildlife	Rescued primates, turtles, pangolins; birds and butterflies	Wild Delacour’s langurs, waterbirds
Time needed	Full day or overnight	1–2 hours
Adult ticket	60,000 VND	About 100,000 VND (boat)

Our view: choose Cuc Phuong if you love walking and want to understand conservation in Vietnam; choose Van Long for an easy, scenic outing. Nature lovers with two days can do both.

Nearby Attractions

Van Long Nature Reserve: Ninh Binh’s Ramsar wetland.
Bai Dinh Pagoda: the vast Buddhist complex on the way back to the city.
Kenh Ga Floating Village: river life and a hot spring.
Trang An Landscape Complex: the UNESCO boat trip.
Hoa Lu: Vietnam’s capital in the 10th century.

Sightseeing in Ninh Binh for First-Time Visitors: Where Cuc Phuong Fits

Three days in Ninh Binh? Spend day one on the Trang An boat trip and at Mua Cave, day two at Tam Coc, Bich Dong Pagoda and Hoa Lu, and give day three to Cuc Phuong, returning via Bai Dinh. Base yourself in Tam Coc using our Ninh Binh accommodation guide and eat local goat with help from our guide to Ninh Binh food.

Plan your trip with our Ninh Binh travel guide and Ninh Binh tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cuc Phuong National Park

1. Why is Cuc Phuong National Park famous?

Cuc Phuong is Vietnam’s first national park (1962), famous for primary limestone forest, rescue centres for endangered primates and turtles, ancient trees and prehistoric caves.

2. Where is Cuc Phuong National Park?

Cuc Phuong is in western Ninh Binh, extending into Phu Tho (former Hoa Binh) and Thanh Hoa, about 45 km from Ninh Binh city and 120 km from Hanoi.

3. How much is the Cuc Phuong entrance fee?

Cuc Phuong entry is 60,000 VND for adults, 20,000 VND for students and 10,000 VND for children.

4. What are Cuc Phuong’s opening hours?

The Cuc Phuong gate opens daily from about 6:00 to 19:00; the rescue centres are visited with guides at set times during the day.

5. When was Cuc Phuong National Park established?

Cuc Phuong became Vietnam’s first national park on 7 July 1962, after being made a forest reserve in 1960.

6. How big is Cuc Phuong National Park?

Cuc Phuong covers 22,408 hectares across three provinces.

7. Is Cuc Phuong worth visiting?

Yes, Cuc Phuong is worth a full day for travellers who enjoy forest walks and wildlife conservation.

8. What animals can you see at Cuc Phuong?

At Cuc Phuong you can see rescued langurs, gibbons, turtles and pangolins at the conservation centres, plus birds and butterflies in the forest; wild mammals are shy.

9. What is the Endangered Primate Rescue Center at Cuc Phuong?

The EPRC at Cuc Phuong, founded in 1993, rescues and breeds endangered primates such as langurs, gibbons and lorises, and can be visited on guided tours.