Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh

The climate in Cuc Phuong is a tropical monsoon climate with an average year-round temperature of about 24.7°C. The pristine forests and complex terrain, along with their unique landscapes and mysteries, are what draw tourists to this destination.

An overview of the weather throughout the year at Cuc Phuong National Park:

• From November to January: During this period, the northern region experiences relatively cold weather, and it's not the best time for exploring the national park.
• From February to April: This is an ideal time to spot various bird species such as Cyanocitta cristata, Microhierax melanoleucos, pheasant, Gypsophila crispifrons, ...
• From late April to early May: This is butterfly season at Cuc Phuong National Park. During this time, you can witness the appearance of thousands of colorful butterflies, creating a splendid and poetic scenery.
• From April to August: This period generally has good and sunny weather, although occasional storms may occur. It's essential to keep an eye on weather updates before visiting Cuc Phuong National Park.

There are many different convenient means of transport for you to choose from to get to Cuc Phuong National Park. Typically, tourists will choose their own types to facilitate the process of going deep into the forest. Depending on the type of convenient means of transport you choose, consider the following different routes:

• Motorcycle or Self-Driving Car: From the center of Hanoi, follow National Highway 1A. When you get to the Gian Khau - Ninh Bình junction, turn onto National Highway 12A. Continue along this road, and after passing through Nho Quan town for about 2 kilometers, you will arrive at Cuc Phuong National Park.

Bus: Visitors can choose to travel from Giap Bat bus station to Nho Quan, then you will travel by bus from Nho Quan to Cuc Phuong Forest.

Ticket prices to visit Cuc Phuong National Park

• Adults: 60,000 VND/trip
• Students: 20,000 VND/trip
• Children: 10,000 VND/trip

Ticket prices to visit conservation programs

• Adults: 50,000 VND/1 program
• Students, pupils, children: 20,000 VND/1 program

Note: The ticket prices mentioned above are for entrance to the national park and do not include additional services such as boat or car rental, meals, or the services of a tour guide. For students If you want to receive preferential prices, you need to present documents such as student ID card.

Cuc Phuong forest ecosystem is very diverse and rich. This is where there is a tropical rain forest, so the weather is quite cool all year round. Therefore, it has become a habitat for many rare animals, typically Trachypithecus Delacouri (a precious langur)

This is the place bringing up and preserving many types of primates species. So, if you have time to travel to Cuc Phuong, you should drop by the rescue center to see the primates and collect knowledge about this animal.

This construction was built for the purpose of sample preservation and storage. You can learn about insects, different fauna and flora like dragonflies, cicadas, stick bugs, birds and animals, etc. in this museum.

May Bac peak is at a height of 648m, at the top of the mountain. Do not miss to get here when coming to Cuc Phuong National Park, because you will have a chance to admire the wonderful and endless scene of mountain and forest from here. On the peak, you can easily see the ancient capital Hoa Lu and Bai Dinh complex. However, the way to the peak is relatively sloppy, so please be careful.

In order to go to Yen Quang Lake conveniently, you can follow Nho Quan road, pass Tri Phuong bridge, turn to the western, and come to the lake. The peaceful landscape here surely makes you excited and relaxed.

In Cuc Phuong National Park, there is a village of the Muong ethnic minority with an extremely unique lifestyle. Coming here you can check in to the brocade weaving area, stilt houses or terraced fields. These cultural experiences will make you feel more excited about your trip.

Con Moong Cave, Trang Khuyet Cave, Mang Chieng Cave, Nguoi Xua Cave, etc. are the names of famous caves in Cuc Phuong Forest. If you love exploring, absolutely you can’t miss the tour to discover these caves.

Goat meat is one of the famous specialities of the ancient capital. When coming to Cuc Phuong National Park, do not forget to enjoy a goat meat dish. You also should try Nho Quan stem liquor or Kim Son wine to feel the delicious taste of the dish.

Mountain snails only appear in the period of April and August. Only in Ninh Binh land, you can try this dish that nowhere in Vietnam can serve. The dish is very famous for its firmness and fragrance.

Eel meat is braised according to a separate recipe so when you eat it you will feel fragrant, sweet and fatty without any fishy smell. A bowl of eel vermicelli with a thick, dark brown broth will definitely make you remember the first time you enjoy it.

Swamp eel salad is a specialty of Kim Son - Ninh Binh, possessing a feature fragrant and nutty savor. Ingredients include skunk vine leaves, Ming aralia leaves, roasted rice powder, etc. harmonizing with swamp eel to create a unique flavor.

Swamp eel meat is sliced, moved bones and washed by lime water. Normally, people eat it with many herbal leaves, but in Kim Son, it is rolled by fried fish skin.

If you have set foot in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, this is probably a dish you cannot miss. Because the dish does not use farmed crabs at all, it will bring surprising and interesting feelings to diners.

After catching field crabs, they will be carefully processed. Wash the gause leaves, then chop them into small pieces and roast them with a separate recipe. When eating, you will feel the crunchy taste of the crab mixed with the characteristic aroma of the gause leaves, creating a rustic country flavor that diners will hardly forget.

• Opening time: 6.00 am - 10.30 pm
• Reference price: 50,000 - 500,000 VND
• Highlighted dishes: Mountainous snail, fried ant egg with gause leaves, hot pot, traditional rice dish, etc.

Chin Nhung Restaurant is on the way to Nho Quan. The restaurant is famous for delicious and various dishes. You can drop by this place to try Ninh Binh traditional cuisine and take a rest before continuing your trip.

• Opening time: All day
• Reference price: 50,000 - 400,000 VND
• Highlighted dishes: Dishes from goat meat, chicken, fish, snail, etc.

Cuc Phuong restaurant is one of the restaurants which receive many compliments from diners, due to its airy space, diverse cuisine, delicious dishes and reasonable price. Moreover, the restaurant is located near Cuc Phuong National Park.

• Opening time: All day
• Reference price: 40,000 - 500,000 VND
• Highlighted dishes: Goat meat, boar, hill chicken, steamed sticky rice, etc.

Thao Linh restaurant owns a quite large space. Its menu is diverse, including many dishes from goat meat, chicken, boar. Diners have reviewed good marks for fresh food, reasonable price and hygiene.

The first name on the list of things to buy as gifts when traveling to Cuc Phuong National Park is scorched rice. This is one of the most famous specialties in Ninh Binh.

At first glance, you might see the simplicity and straightforwardness of this dish. However, when you taste it, the scorched rice dish is golden, crispy, and has a rich flavor that everyone will love. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to dip it in soy sauce or eat it with fried onions and shrimp paste.

Kim Son wine is the result of the perfect fermentation process of special types of sticky rice in this land, whose main name is yellow flower sticky rice. After fermenting traditional herbs with 36 herbs, they are cooked with dug well water, resulting in an extremely sweet, fragrant flavor and clear wine color. This will definitely be one of the specialties with many health benefits and you may not know it yet.

Mentioning souvenirs in Ninh Binh land, you can't miss Gia Vien shrimp paste, a favorite present of many travelers for their family and mates.

Small shrimps are washed, dried and fermented with salt, roasted glutinous rice in an earthenware big vase within a month, then cooked. The shrimp paste has a fresh red color, attractive fragrant flavor. You can try it with many cuisines.

Yen Mac fermented pork roll is also one of the must-buy items when coming to Cuc Phuong National Park. The dish is fermented raw pork with roasted glutinous rice and covered by guava leaves. Dipping it in chili sauce, then feeling the spicy, sour and nutty flavor harmonized in your mouth, so irresistible delicious.

There are some essential items you should prepare for your trip to Cuc Phuong National Park to make it more convenient, especially since it's a forested area where not everything is readily available:

• Insect repellent and mosquito spray: The forest can be damp, and if you explore after the rainy season, these items are essential, especially if you are traveling with children.
• A suitable pair of walking or hiking shoes, if you plan to explore some of the forest trails, appropriate footwear will help ensure your safety.
• High and thick socks for walking and to prevent leeches.
• A personal flashlight or headlamp for use when exploring caves or for moving around at night.

Justfly has provided you with valuable information and exciting experiences to explore on your upcoming trip to Cuc Phuong National Park. There are many interesting things and attractive places waiting for you to explore here. We hope that with this knowledge, you will have a perfect and memorable journey with your loved ones.