Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong is Vietnam's first national park, known for its primate and turtle rescue centers, caves and old forest, and it fits into a one- or two-day trip from Hanoi.
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Cuc Phuong National Park lies about 120 km southwest of Hanoi and was Vietnam's first national park. Its old forest surrounds two rescue centers, one for endangered primates and one for turtles, and it has caves and walking trails. Both centers care for animals confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. The drive from Hanoi usually takes around three hours, so a visit is either a long day trip or an overnight stay.
Plan one or two days. A night in or near the park gives you time for early forest walks and a slower evening before the drive back. Pick your dates with the weather in mind, because rain makes forest trails muddy and cave paths slippery. Settle your transport before you book, since the route decides how much time you have inside the park.
Cuc Phuong National Park in five
- Know the vehicle rules from 1 September 2026Vehicles carrying 29 or more people cannot use the gate to Bong road, and groups park at the gate and take the electric shuttle. Smaller vehicles and private cars are capped at 300 per day.
- Book the park's own programs onlineThe park has sold tickets online since 2 August 2024 and lists half-day and one-day programs. Book ahead for weekends and holidays, and use the park's hotline if you need help.
- Visit the rescue programs firstThe visitor center area has the park's primate and turtle conservation programs, and the Prehistoric Man cave is a 300 m walk away. These suit rainy days and families.
- Walk to an ancient tree or Palace CaveThe park describes a 3 km circular walk through primary forest to an ancient tree, and a 6 km circular walk to Palace Cave and a group of large trees. Ask the visitor center which is open.
- Be out of the forest by eveningPark rules require activities to end before 19:00 unless a permit is held, and vehicles leaving between 19:00 and 07:00 are checked. Plan your return transport accordingly.
Need to know
- Entrance
- Priced by program; see the official one-day page
- Permits
- A park guide is required for the summit climb
- Season
- Open all year; summer is humid, winter is cooler
- Nearest town
- Nho Quan, in Ninh Binh province
- Getting there
- About 120 km south of Hanoi; Bong center is 20 km past the gate
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, drizzle
- FebruaryCool, Tet
- MarchMild
- AprilWarm
- MayHot, humid
- JuneHot, rain
- JulyHot, rain
- AugustHot, rain
- SeptemberStorm risk
- OctoberClear
- NovemberDry, mild
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Cuc Phuong National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 99%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 91%
Cuc Phuong National Park
05:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today25°18°91%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Wed27°18°27%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Thu27°20°99%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Fri26°20°98%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sat26°19°91%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Sun27°18°97%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Mon21°16°88%Monday: Rain. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 88%.
Updated 03:05 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Endangered primate rescue centerinside the visitor center areaThe park's primate conservation program, a main stop for families.
- Prehistoric Man caveabout 300 m walkA short walk to a cave with archaeological interest.
- Palace Cave and the big-tree loop6 km circular walkA forest walk past Palace Cave and a stand of large trees.
Before you go to Cuc Phuong National Park
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Rules for Cuc Phuong National Park, checked
- From 1 Sep 2026, vehicles with 29 or more seats may not use the gate to Bong road; park at the gate and take the electric shuttle.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Cars and vehicles under 29 seats are capped at 300 a day, the speed limit is 40 km/h and vehicles are checked leaving between 19:00 and 07:00.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- The park's one-day program lists adults at 160,000 VND, children 50,000 VND and the electric shuttle 20,000 VND (page updated Nov 2024; confirm).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Cuc Phuong National Park
The usual starting point
Read the guideBa Be National ParkA lake and homestay trip in the north
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamWeather by region and month
Read the guideGetting around VietnamBuses, trains and cars compared
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideCuc Phuong National Park FAQ
How far is Cuc Phuong from Hanoi?
About 120 km south of the capital, in the Tam Diep mountains. Allow a few hours by road each way, and start early if you plan to return the same day.
Can you visit Cuc Phuong as a day trip?
Yes, from Hanoi or Ninh Binh. A day covers the rescue centers and one short walk. Stay a night if you want dawn trails or a longer forest route.
What changes at Cuc Phuong from 1 September 2026?
Vehicles carrying 29 or more people can no longer drive the gate to Bong road. Groups park at the gate and use the electric shuttle, and smaller vehicles are capped at 300 per day.
What is there to see at Cuc Phuong?
The primate and turtle conservation programs, a Prehistoric Man cave, primary forest walks and an ancient tree. The park lists several programs, so pick one and keep the rest for another visit.
When is the best time to visit Cuc Phuong?
March, April, October and November are mild and drier. Summer is hot, humid and rainy, and winter is cool with drizzle, so bring layers.