Cúc Phương National Park is Vietnam’s first national park and one of the world’s precious jewels of forest ecology, being honored by the World Travel Awards as Asia’s leading national park for three consecutive years (2019 – 2021).
Cúc Phương National Park boasts a diverse ecosystem with thousands of flora and fauna species. It is home to ancient trees such as Terminalia myriocarpa, with a height of up to 50 meters, a diameter of 5 meters, and a circumference of more than 20 people hugging it to encircle.
Cúc Phương is not only a diverse botanical forest but also rich in wildlife, including 71 species of mammals, over 300 bird species, 33 reptile species, and 16 amphibian species (including the critically endangered Delacour’s langur, a beautiful and rare primate chosen as the park’s symbol). Some rare animals listed in the Red Book, now extinct globally except in Cúc Phương, include the cave sleeper, red-bellied squirrel, white-thighed langur, pangolin, yellow-cheeked gibbon, white-winged duck, red-headed woodpecker, and Siamese fireback.
Within Cúc Phương National Park lies the first rescue center for endangered primates in Indochina, dedicated to studying Vietnam’s and the world’s rare primate species.
Of special note, some caves here preserve prehistoric traces, dating back from 7,500 to 12,000 years ago, such as the ancient human cave of Hang Đắng.
Visiting Cúc Phương National Park allows one to experience a special environment known as “Shinrin yoku,” which translates to “forest bathing” in Vietnamese. This Japanese term signifies immersing oneself in the forest’s atmosphere to relax and cleanse both body and soul through all senses.
