Cuc Phuong National Park: Old Forest Close to Ninh Binh

Cuc Phuong was the first national park in Vietnam. It is a real rainforest with very old trees, and it is close enough to Ninh Binh to visit in a day.

What you can do

• See the rescued primates The Endangered Primate Rescue Center keeps langurs and gibbons that were taken from traders. Worth the visit on its own.
• Walk to the thousand year old tree A path through the forest to an enormous old tree. Takes a few hours.
• Visit the turtle centre A small centre that breeds rare turtles.
• Look for butterflies In April and May the forest fills with them.

Good to know

• Bring insect repellent and shoes you can walk in.
• The primate centre has fixed visiting times. Check before you go.
• It rains often. The forest is beautiful in the rain, but paths get slippery.

Where it is

• Region: Ninh Binh province
• From Ninh Binh: about 1 hour
• From Hanoi: about 2.5 hours
• From Tam Coc: about 1 hour
• Coordinates: 20.31628, 105.61766
• Map: Open in Google Maps

How to fit it into your trip

Easy as a day trip from Ninh Binh or Tam Coc. Plan a full day: the park is big. Our Cuc Phuong private day tour includes the primate and turtle centres, lunch and an English-speaking guide.

Travelling around North Vietnam is easiest with your own driver. We arrange cars and drivers for trips like this.

Getting there: see our transfer price list, or let us plan your whole trip, airport to airport.

Photo: hds, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.