Spending a day at Cuc Phuong National Park was an unforgettable experience. From trekking through the lush forest to exploring ancient caves, I discovered both the beauty of nature and practical tips for getting around and what to bring.
At Cuc Phuong forest, I also got to see wild animals in the conservation zoo and listen to interesting stories from the guides about the rich ecosystem here. Every step brought a feeling of relaxation, combined with the fresh air, making the whole day of experience both rewarding and full of memories.
The reason I chose to explore Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam
After researching many famous tourist destinations in Vietnam, I decided to explore Cuc Phuong National Park, located in Ninh Binh province, because I wanted to experience a trip close to nature, both relaxing and exploring. Before that, I also considered some other forests in the country such as Ba Vi National Park or Bach Ma National Park, but Cuc Phuong has its own appeal: a large area of primeval forest, a rich ecosystem with many rare animals and plants, and trails through the cool green old forests.
Compared to internationally famous forests such as the Amazon Forest in South America or Kruger National Park in South Africa, Cuc Phuong is smaller in area, but has the wild features typical of the Southeast Asian tropics, is easy to access and suitable for short trekking trips.
Unlike the Amazon with its overwhelming vastness or Kruger famous for its wildlife safari, Cuc Phuong allows me to walk in the cool green forest, explore ancient caves and learn about animal conservation programs in a more up-close and personal way.
It was the combination of unspoiled nature, rich ecosystem and both relaxing and educational experience that made me decide to choose Cuc Phuong as the destination for this nature adventure.
Prepare before the trip
Before the trip to explore Cuc Phuong National Park, I prepared very carefully so that everything went smoothly. First, I determined the right time to go, and after looking up information on famous travel websites such as Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor, personal blogs about Vietnam travel, I decided to choose October, at this time the weather is cool, there is little rain, the forest is still green, ideal for trekking and exploring caves.
Regarding procedures, I checked the information on the official website of the Immigration Department to understand the regulations for applying for a tourist visa for foreigners, and prepared all the necessary personal documents. I also searched for information about means of transportation to Ninh Binh, from buses, trains to private car rental services, comparing costs and time to choose the appropriate route, a useful step for anyone planning travel for Vietnam.
In terms of luggage, I carefully considered each item to suit the characteristics of Cuc Phuong National Park. Non-slip trekking shoes were the most important choice, as I would be walking a lot on rough trails, some of which were slippery after rain. Breathable clothing helped my body feel comfortable when moving under the thick forest canopy, but I also brought a light jacket to keep warm in the early morning or in the colder cave areas.
Finally, the camera is to capture the beautiful moments of the old forest and the wild animals that I am lucky to encounter. All of these items are selected based on the experience of previous travelers and carefully calculated the actual conditions in the forest, helping the trip to be both safe and comfortable, while fully enjoying the wild beauty of Cuc Phuong.
How did I get to and from the garden?
After preparing my luggage and the necessary procedures, I started to move to Cuc Phuong National Park from Hanoi. I chose to take a bus to save time and be able to rest comfortably on the road, it took about 2.5-3 hours to reach the center of Cho Rung town, Ninh Binh.
From here, I rented a local motorbike to continue moving into the garden, which was convenient for stopping to take photos and being proactive in visiting the spots in the forest. During the move, I also followed the signs and printed maps to ensure I didn’t get lost, while enjoying the scenery of the mountains and fields on both sides of the road.
Combining public transport and local motorbikes helps me access the forest conveniently, be proactive in my schedule and have a closer experience with local life.
Experience the main attractions
A day exploring Cuc Phuong National Park really left a deep impression. When I stepped into this vast primeval forest, I immediately felt the fresh, cool air and the rare tranquility in the middle of wild nature. To enter the forest, I bought an entrance ticket at 60,000 VND/adult, 20,000 VND/student, 10,000 VND/child, children under 5 years old are free, this ticket price includes the right to visit the common areas in the garden. My journey spanned many prominent attractions, each offering its own unique experiences.
Cuc Phuong Visitor Center & Museum
The first stop is the Cuc Phuong Visitor Center and Museum, which provides comprehensive information on the forest, ecosystem, biological and archaeological specimens, including a fossil of a placoderm reptile – the rarest find in Southeast Asia.
I walked from the main gate to the center, very convenient and comfortable. Entrance to this area is free, so I was free to learn, take pictures and take notes of useful information before entering the experiences outside the forest.
Primate, Turtle, Carnivore and Pangolin Rescue Program
Next, I took the local electric car (20,000VND/trip) to the internationally renowned rescue area, where primates, turtles, carnivores and pangolins are cared for and preserved. The entrance fee is 50,000VND/person, but it is well worth the high educational experience it provides.
I got to observe firsthand how the staff care for the animals, and listen to the tour guide share about the process of rehabilitating and releasing the animals back into the wild.
Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden
Afterwards, I walked about 3km along the trail through Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden, an internationally recognized place with rich flora. Rare trees such as thousand-year-old Chò trees, Dang trees and ancient dracontomelon trees made me stop to take photos and admire them.
Admission is free, the walking route is designed to be safe, but you should still wear sturdy shoes and bring water as the forest path is long and has steep sections.
Silver Cloud Peak & Ancient People’s Cave
A memorable experience was climbing the 648 m Silver Cloud Peak. From above, I had a panoramic view of Hoa Lu – Bai Dinh, feeling majestic and peaceful. On the way down, I stopped by the Ancient People Cave, where traces of prehistoric people are preserved.
Just a 300m walk from the main road, I felt like I was lost in an ancient world. Both of these places are free to visit, but you need to wear sturdy shoes and bring water because the climb is quite tiring.
Yen Quang Lake – Son-in-law Cave
Finally, I traveled by motorbike within the area for about 10 minutes to Yen Quang Lake – Pho Ma Cave, where you can kayak and watch water birds. The entrance fee is free, however, if you rent a kayak, there will be an additional fee of about 20,000-50,000 VND.
I spent time relaxing on the clear blue lake, listening to the sound of trickling water and watching birds spread their wings on the water, feeling absolutely peaceful after a long day exploring the jungle.
Outdoor activities I have tried
In addition to visiting the highlights, Cuc Phuong National Park also offers many attractive outdoor activities. According to my research, there are about 5–6 main activities that visitors can experience such as trekking through the primeval forest trails, boating or kayaking on Yen Quang Lake, climbing to Silver Cloud Peak, participating in bird and wildlife observation, or exploring caves such as Ancient People Cave.
For adventure lovers seeking similar thrilling experiences like paragliding Da Nang, Cuc Phuong’s natural landscape also provides a perfect setting for outdoor exploration and nature discovery.
However, I only chose trekking and kayaking to focus on experiencing closeness to nature while still having enough time to visit other places.
The 3km trek took me through the Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden, an internationally recognized place with rich flora. Along the way, I admired rare ancient trees such as the thousand-year-old Chò tree, the Dang tree and the ancient dracontomelon tree.
The walking trail was quite safe, but there were still steep sections and the forest floor was a bit slippery, so I wore sturdy shoes and brought water. This activity was free, and as I walked, I listened to the birds chirping and the wind rustling the leaves, feeling completely immersed in the wild nature.
After trekking, I traveled by motorbike within the area for about 10 minutes to Yen Quang Lake, Pho Ma Cave to try kayaking. The lake is clear blue, surrounded by primeval forest, creating a beautiful peaceful scene. Entrance to the lake is free, but renting a kayak has an additional fee of about 20,000-50,000 VND/trip.
I spent time relaxing on the lake, watching the water birds spread their wings, the feeling was really relaxing and different from trekking, both gentle and close to nature.
Both of these activities help me to exercise, relax and have many interesting experiences without being too rushed. I find that choosing 1-2 main activities is reasonable, because Cuc Phuong forest is vast, each activity has its own unique features that need time to explore.
Food and cuisine at Cuc Phuong National Park
An indispensable part of the journey to explore Cuc Phuong is the culinary experience here. When arriving in the forest, I chose to dine at the restaurants and service areas near the visitor center, which serve local dishes and refreshing drinks.
The dishes of bamboo rice, grilled hill chicken, grilled stream fish and fresh wild vegetables have rich flavors, are both delicious and easy to enjoy after a tiring trekking session. I also tried some snacks such as corn cakes, green bean sweet soup and fruit juice, which are perfect to recharge my energy before continuing outdoor activities.
What I like most is the airy dining space, with many tables and chairs placed under the shade of trees, enjoying delicious food while listening to the birds chirping and the rustling of the forest wind. The prices are reasonable, a main meal ranges from 60,000-120,000 VND/person, drinks from 15,000-30,000 VND.
If you want to save time and be more proactive, you can also bring some snacks such as bread, fruit and mineral water to eat along the way, especially when trekking or kayaking.
Where to rest when coming to Cuc Phuong forest?
If you want to spend a lot of time exploring the forest or have a long experience, choosing an overnight stay in Cuc Phuong is very reasonable. I consulted and chose to stay at motels, bungalows and campsites in the forest near the visitor center.
The resting space here is close to the main attractions, quiet, surrounded by trees and the sound of nature. The bungalows are fully equipped with basic amenities such as beds, fans or air conditioners, clean bathrooms; prices range from 400,000-700,000 VND/night depending on the room type, while the campsite is cheaper, only about 100,000-200,000 VND/tent, suitable for those who want to experience sleeping in the middle of nature.
During my trip, I chose to stay at Binh Tan Guesthouse, located on Cuc Phuong Forest Road, Cuc Phuong Commune, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province. The resting space here is quite quiet, close to nature and convenient to move to the main attractions of the national park.
Rooms at Binh Tan Guesthouse are fully equipped with basic amenities such as beds, fans, and clean bathrooms. Room rates range from 270,000-450,000 VND/day, suitable for the budget of many travelers. The staff is polite and enthusiastic, always ready to assist when needed.
I find the most interesting thing is waking up in the middle of the forest in the morning, breathing the fresh air and listening to the birds singing, the feeling is very relaxing and different from staying in the city. If you do not want to stay overnight, you can also rent a homestay or hotel in the town near the garden at a reasonable price, but it will take about 15-20 minutes by motorbike or car to get into the forest.
Useful tips and notes you definitely need when going to the forest
When experiencing Cuc Phuong forest, I realized there are some useful tips and notes that you will definitely need if you want a complete and safe trip.
- Footwear: Wear sneakers or hiking shoes for slippery, steep trails.
- Drinks & snacks: Bring water, fruit, bread, or energy bars for long treks or kayaking.
- Jacket/raincoat: Prepare a thin jacket for sudden mountain rain.
- Camera & battery: Carry a camera or phone fully charged; many spots lack charging points.
- Respect wildlife: Follow guides, stay quiet, and don’t touch animals in rescue areas.
- Start early: Have enough time to visit attractions and enjoy activities without rush.
- Light backpack: Carry essentials, water, and snacks easily.
- Maps & info: Check trekking routes and attraction details beforehand for safe travel.
Conclusion
A day or a few days of experience at Cuc Phuong National Park really left me with many deep impressions. From the fresh, cool air, the primeval forest trails, to unique attractions such as the animal rescue center, the Botanical Garden, Silver Cloud Peak or Yen Quang Lake, each experience brings a feeling of closeness and harmony with nature.
With the useful tips and notes shared, anyone coming to Cuc Phuong will have a safe, interesting and memorable journey. Cuc Phuong old forest is not only a tourist destination, but also a place to temporarily put aside the hustle and bustle of life, enjoy the wild beauty and feel the slow pace of life in the middle of nature.
