Plan Your Visit
Everything you need to know for a perfect trip to Cuc Phuong National Park
Travel Information
About Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park is the first tropical rainforest national park in Vietnam, established on July 7th, 1962. Located in the heart of the Tam Diep mountain range, the park stretches across three provinces: Phu Tho, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa.
Located just 120 km south of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong is not only a leading center for biological research and conservation, but also one of the top ecotourism destinations in northern Vietnam. With its diverse ecosystem, the park is home to thousands of rare and precious species of flora and fauna.
Visitors to Cuc Phuong can:
- • Explore ancient forests and spot unique wildlife
- • Discover cultural and historical values tied to the land
- • Enjoy eco-adventures like trekking, jungle camping, wildlife watching, and guided adventure tours
Fees and Passes
Entrance Fees
| No | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adults (18 years and above) | 60,000 VND/person |
| 2 | Student (with valid Student card) | 20,000 VND/person |
| 3 | Children (under 16) / Pupils | 10,000 VND/person |
Ticket Prices for Visiting the Rescue & Conservation Centers
| No | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Endangered primate rescue & Conservation Program | 50,000 VND/adult 20,000 VND/children |
| 2 | Turtle conservation program | 50,000 VND/adult 20,000 VND/children |
| 3 | Carnivore & pangolin conservation program | 50,000 VND/adult 20,000 VND/children |
Package Prices
| No | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Combo 1 | Entrance fee, tickets to visit the rescue, conservation centers: primate, turtle. | 160,000 VND/adult 60,000 VND/student 50,000 VND/children |
| Combo 2 | Entrance fee, tickets to visit the Ex-situ conservation area (the rescue, conservation centers: primate, turtle, carnivore & pangolin, ungulates and birds sanctuary and Cuc Phuong museum). | 240,000 VND/adult 110,000 VND/student 100,000 VND/children |
Vehicle Rental Prices
| No | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorbike (includes full tank) | 250,000 VND per vehicle/day |
| 2 | Bicycle | 150,000 VND per vehicle/day |
Daytime Parking Fees
| No | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cars with 16 seats or fewer | 20,000 VND |
| 2 | Cars from 17 to under 30 seats | 30,000 VND |
| 3 | Cars with 30 seats or more | 35,000 VND |
Overnight Parking Fees
| No | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cars with 16 seats or fewer | 25,000 VND |
| 2 | Cars from 17 to under 30 seats | 35,000 VND |
| 3 | Cars with 30 seats or more | 40,000 VND |
Important Note on Ticket Purchase
Buy tickets in advance at the entrance to save time. Visitors who wish to explore the conservation centers should purchase tickets at the entrance in advance. If tickets are not bought beforehand, visitors will need to return to the entrance, which can be time-consuming due to the long distance.
Weather
Cuc Phuong National Park is located in the tropical monsoon climate zone typical of Northern Vietnam, with an average annual temperature of around 24.7°C (76.5°F). Thanks to its vast primary rainforest ecosystem, the park remains cooler than surrounding areas, making it an ideal destination for outdoor activities year-round.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Dry Season (September – December)
Weather:
Cool, mild sunshine, dry and pleasant
Recommended activities:
Jungle trekking, camping, mountain hiking, cave exploration
What to bring:
Non-slip hiking shoes, light jacket, sun hat
Rainy Season (April – May)
Weather:
Occasional showers, humid air
Highlights:
Peak season for white butterflies and fireflies lighting up the forest
What to bring:
Lightweight raincoat, waterproof shoes, mosquito repellent
Winter (December – February)
Weather:
Cold, misty, especially in the early mornings and evenings
Recommended activities:
Bird watching, wildlife spotting, visiting rescue and conservation centers
What to bring:
Warm clothing, scarf, gloves
Seasonal Nature Calender
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate | Cold winter | Sunny, beautiful weather, occasional storms | Sunny, dry, cold | Cold winter | ||||||||||
| Mammals | Banded civet, Small-toothed palm civet, bats, flying squirrels, ground squirrels, red-bellied squirrels | |||||||||||||
| Birds | Bird watching season: Pheasants, magpies, short-tailed birds, green broadbills, flower-peckers, treecreepers, white-bellied minivets | Ruddy Kingfisher | Green Pigeon | Migratory and resident bird season: Blackbirds, white-bellied thrushes, short-tailed birds, yellow magpies, swiftlets | ||||||||||
| Reptiles | Forest tortoise, Green snake, Monitor lizard, Gecko, Green pit viper, Wagler's pit viper | |||||||||||||
| Amphibians | Green tree frog, Grey frog | |||||||||||||
| Insects | Insect observation | |||||||||||||
Location
Mammals: Road with Dipterocarpus trees / Chò trees
Birds: Park entrance, center
Reptiles: Old Dipterocarpus trees, Chò trees, VTV area
Insects: Main road
Notes
Mammals: Early morning, late afternoon, night
Amphibians: After rain
Travel Tips
Buy Tickets in Advance at the Entrance to Save Time
Visitors who wish to explore the conservation centers should purchase tickets at the entrance in advance. If tickets are not bought beforehand, visitors will need to return to the entrance, which can be time-consuming due to the long distance.
Accompanied by a Tour Guide
To better understand the ecosystem and wildlife, visitors are encouraged to hire a tour guide. Please note that visiting the conservation centers and certain trekking routes is only permitted when accompanied by an official guide from Cuc Phuong National Park.
Essential Items to Bring
Essential items to bring for a comfortable and safe visit:
- Comfortable sneakers
- Insect repellent
- Hat and sunscreen
- Raincoat (especially during the rainy season)
Respect the Habitat of Wildlife
Visitors must not feed or disturb any wild animals in the conservation areas. Maintain a safe distance from the animals and only walk along designated paths.
Environmental Protection
Visitors are required to follow environmental protection regulations to preserve the natural beauty of Cuc Phuong National Park.
- No littering
- No loud noises
- No gasoline-powered vehicles in the peripheral conservation area
- Do not harm the natural ecosystem
Directions and Transportation to Cuc Phuong
A. Transportation Options
1. Shuttle bus (Limousine bus)
Duy Khang: 1900 3086
Quang Anh: 1900 1985
Each company operates multiple trips daily, from 6:30 AM until around 8:00 PM. On average, there is one departure every hour.
2. Bus
Phu Duyen: 0988 118 215 (from Giap Bat Bus Station)
Thai Son: 0932 310 932 (from My Dinh Bus Station)
For ticket prices and booking details, please contact the bus operators directly by the phone numbers above.
3. Personal vehicle (car or motorbike)
Travel time: about 2.5 - 3 hours
4. Train
From there, it's another 40–50 km by taxi or rented car to the park's entrance.
Our recommendation: Best to travel early in the morning. When you reach Cúc Phương by midday, the forest glows golden under the filtered sunlight through a dense canopy.
B. Parking Information
Daytime parking fees
| No | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cars with 16 seats or fewer | 20.000 VND |
| 2 | Cars from 17 to under 30 seats | 30.000 VND |
| 3 | Cars with 30 seats or more | 35.000 VND |
Overnight parking fees
| No | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cars with 16 seats or fewer | 25.000 VND |
| 2 | Cars from 17 to under 30 seats | 35.000 VND |
| 3 | Cars with 30 seats or more | 40.000 VND |