Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park Full-day Motorbike Tour

General Information about

Cuc Phuong National Park is in the Tam Diep mountain range located only 120 kilometers to the South of Hanoi. This is the first national park in Vietnam since it was established in 1962. People often associate Cuc Phuong with Ninh Binh, but the park actually lies in two more provinces – Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. The site has always been a well-known eco-tourism destination thanks to the significant number of scenic landscapes, a vibrant ecosystem, and exceptional historical and cultural values.

Featuring a tropical rainforest, Cuc Phuong has diverse flora and fauna, including plenty of rare and endangered species. Here scientists have found a lot of ancient caves, where the vestiges of prehistoric people living between 7500 and 12000 years ago are still well retained. Also, Cuc Phuong has been a residence of the Muong ethnic group for a long time. Therefore, here you can see the existence of well-maintained culture and tradition such as stilt houses or rice mortars.

Time to visit Cuc Phuong National Park

If you are looking for a sense of adventure, then you’d better visit Cuc Phuong National Park in November, December, or January. The winter in North Vietnam makes it foggy and cold in the forest, the atmosphere of adventurer love.

February to April is the perfect time to watch different types of birds. Meanwhile, the end of April and the beginning of May is when you can see myriads of colorful butterflies. From April to August, we usually have the support of the weather. However, it’s necessary to follow the weather forecast to avoid stormy days. Even for courageous travelers, it’s still perilous to go deep into the forest on such days.

Activities in Cuc Phuong National Park

Camping

Cuc Phuong National Park is undoubtedly ideal for picnics and camping. There is a lot of vacant space for us to camp. With fresh air and breathtaking landscapes surrounding it, this is not a bad idea.

Trekking

There is no doubt that trekking is the most suitable and popular choice in Cuc Phuong. This is a precious opportunity to witness plenty of strange plants and animals. The giant ancient trees, which are up to 45 meters high, will capture your attention immediately. However, wandering without a tour guide is not suggested.

Bicycling

Just like trekking, bicycling is a fantastic way to explore the forest. A considerable advantage is that you can see more things. Moreover, some rough trails are great to bring us more exciting experiences.

Kayaking

You can also try kayaking on Mac Lake or Yen Quang Lake. It’s the only way to visit the temple in the middle of Yen Quang Lake.

Cave exploring

As we have mentioned, there are plenty of unique caves in Cuc Phuong National Park. Therefore, cave exploration is definitely recommended here.

Attractions in Cuc Phuong National Park

Wildlife Conservation Centers

It’s advisable to visit some wildlife conservation centers in Cuc Phuong, as we can see different animal and plant species. Trekking won’t give us such a big chance to witness dozens of creatures that easily, but these centers will. Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden is undeniable the first priority since it’s one of the most extensive botanical gardens in the world. The collection of the rarest plants in Vietnam can be found here. Cuc Phuong Primate Rescue Center is worth visiting as well.

Cuc Phuong Museum

If you are interested in nature in North Vietnam, Cuc Phuong Museum will be a real charm to you. The museum house a variety of organism samples that have occurred in Vietnam (from dragonflies, and beetles to bears, leopards, or monkeys). The samples of ancient reptiles are also conserved here.

Ancient Caves

The caves in Cuc Phuong National Park are truly a significant contribution to the reputation of the site. Since the caves were once the residence of prehistoric people, they are invaluable to science, in general, and archeology, in particular. The most well-known caves here are Nguoi Xua, Con Moong, Mang Chieng, etc. Each of them has its own story and values. Essentially, Pho Ma Cave is an honorable mention as there are stunning stalactites inside.

May Bac Mountain

May Bac here means the silvery cloud. This is the highest mountain in Cuc Phuong with an altitude of 648 meters. Most tourists love to climb to the peak because they can see the Cuc Phuong forest’s picturesque panorama. However, the way to May Bac is quite long and bumpy, so it will take quite a long time to get there.

Yen Quang lake

Yen Quang Lake is actually a system of four minor lakes in the Yen Quang commune. In the middle of the lake is an islet with a temple on it. A favorite scene of many tourists is the birds playing on the crystal clear water. This is also an ideal fishing spot.

Food in Cuc Phuong National Park

The most famous delicacy of Cuc Phuong (and Ninh Binh) is probably mountain goat meat. People describe goat meat here as lean and sweet. Also, this land offers plenty of herbs and vegetables, enhancing the flavor of the dishes with goat meat. Kim Son rice wine will make the meal utterly delicious. Scorched rice, mountain snail, and Cuc Phuong chicken are also dishes that we should not ignore.