Summary

Cuc Phuong, Vietnam's oldest national park, protects extensive limestone forest about 135 km southwest of Hanoi. The forest has a distinctive karst character, with mature trees, caves, steep limestone terrain and a rich flora. For birders, it is one of the key northern lowland and limestone sites and is particularly valuable for pittas, woodpeckers and limestone-associated babblers.

Prime targets include Red-collared Woodpecker, Pied Falconet, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, White-winged Magpie, Limestone Wren-Babbler and three sought-after pittas: Bar-bellied, Blue-rumped and Eared. The main road from park headquarters toward Bong is productive in the early morning, while forest trails around Bong and the botanical garden provide access to denser forest species. Accommodation is available both near headquarters and deeper inside the park near Bong, allowing birders to start early. Cuc Phuong pairs naturally with Tam Dao on a northern itinerary and generally deserves at least two mornings for a realistic chance at the more secretive forest birds.

Click here to see the full bird checklist in Cuc Phuong National Park

Most highlights

Red-collared Woodpecker, Pied Falconet, Rachet-tailed Treepie, Bar-bellied, Blue-rumped and Eared Pittas, White-winged Magpie, Limestone Wren Babbler.

Annam Limestone Babbler

Birding routes

Main road from HQ to Bong is a range for many species; if you go through in the early morning in winter, thrushes are encountered. Malaysian Night-heron is easy to see along the road in April-July.

Forest trails around Bong, such loops trail village trails, are normally frequented by Eared Blue-rumped and bar-bellied Pittas,  Pied Falconet, Red-collared Woodpecker, and Limestone Warbler normally found.

The botanical garden by the HQ gate is a good spot for White-winged Magpie, Rachet-tailed Treepie, and Blue-rumped Pitta 

Transportation

Cuc Phuong National Park is located approximately 135 km from Hanoi. Traveling by car or motorbike via the main road network typically takes around 2 to 2.5 hours.

Accommodations

Visitor accommodation is available at the park headquarters and inside the national park near the Bong ranger station. The forest is accessible on foot from both locations, but some birding trails (such as the Cave of the Early Man for Limestone Wren Babbler) are only accessible by car.

Discover relevant tours

• Tam Dao & Cuc Phuong Bird Photography Tour
• 2-4 Day Birding Tour from Hanoi
• 7-Day North Vietnam Birding Tour from Hanoi

More information about birding sites in Vietnam:

• Mang Den – Kon Plong
• Da Lat Plateau
• Cat Tien National Park
• Yok Don National Park
• Tam Dao National Park
• Sa Pa - Fansipan Mt
• Cuc Phuong National Park
• Lo Xo Pass
• Bach Ma National Park
• Sa Mu - Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve
• Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park
• Tan Phu Forest (Thac Mai)
• Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve
• Mekong Delta