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Cuc Phuong National Park is definitely a perfect option for nature lovers, who are finding a short escape from Hanoi’s bustle and hustle for true wilderness. Known as the green lung of Northern Vietnam, Cuc Phuong National Park gets its fame as a large natural museum with rich ecosystem, conservation center of endangered species; as well as home to Muong ethnic minority with their unique culture.
General information about Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park covers a broad area of 22,200 ha and is nestle among three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. It’s located 130km from southwest of Hanoi and 55km from northwest of Ninh Binh City.
Being the country’s largest and first national park, Cuc Phuong consists of dense forest of millennia-old trees, botanical gardens, a wide range of birds, mammals, reptiles and colorful butterflies along with two animal sanctuaries which are worth exploring.
The forests of the park also provide living sources for local communities. In earlier times, Cuc Phuong was home to the Muong minority people and to this day a few scattered villages around the park’s periphery. Locals take part in community-based ecotourism and provide homestay to attract tourists stay longer in the park, and create incentives to support conservation programs.
History of Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong has a long-lasting history with its title as the oldest national park in Vietnam. In 1960, it was turned into a forest reserve, and then defined as Cuc Phuong National Park by President Ho Chi Minh in 1962. Because Uncle Ho (friendly name of President Ho Chi Minh) aimed to remind Vietnamese people to protect natural environment as the core role in their present and future life. However, the connection between human-beings and Cuc Phuong begun long time ago. The remains of prehistoric men dating 7,000-12,000 years ago have been found in the numerous mountain caves in the park. In 1789, the Quen Voi section of the park was chosen as the major battle site in the civil war.
In 1987, 500 Muong households were relocated to the park’s periphery due to issues over land use and conservation programs.