Vietnam’s oldest national park, Cuc Phuong, was created in 1962. Situated around 120 km to the southwest of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong is a charming destination with an intriguing wildlife and cultural legacy, sandwiched between the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa.
The limestone that forms Cuc Phuong National Park originates from the pull-down plateau Moc Chau (Son La) in Yunnan, China. The limestone then flows through the Pu Luong (Thanh Hoa) series, the Ngoc Son range (Hoa Binh Province), Cuc Phuong, and Tam Diep, down to the range (Ninh Binh), and ends up isolated at the sea of Nga Son (Thanh Hoa). There are three different forms of Karst terrain on a hundred kilometers of limestone: half-overlay Karst, overlay Karst, and Caren Karst terrain on top. Owing to the Karst persistence process, which operated in the mountain for millions of years and created thousands of suction and drainage holes in addition to hundreds of enormous caverns.
Cuc Phuong is located in a hot, humid tropical monsoon climatic zone. The landscape, particularly the limestone mountains dotted with hills and valleys extending from the northwest to the southeast, is most noticeable at elevations between 140 and 648 meters above sea level. Owing to the extreme fracturing of the landscape, multiple sub-climate areas and microclimates were formed. This is the basis for the various vegetation formations in Cuc Phuong, which contribute to its rich, diverse, and unique biological variety. For many plant and animal species, including extinct humans, this is the perfect environment.
Flora
The species composition and organization of the flora in Cuc Phuong is highly varied. In comparison to the entire country, this area, which makes up 0.07% of the overall area, is responsible for 17.27% of species, 36.09% of genetic diversity, and 57-93% of the flora groups. Out of the 22,200 ha total land area (or 92.2 %), Cuc Phuong NP has 20,473 ha of forest. This area has a tropical rainforest with evergreen flora. Cuc Phuong is classified as a closed, humid, evergreen tropical rainforest by Thai Van Trung (1976). A sizable portion of Cuc Phuong’s primary forest is found in the limestone mountain region and in the lowlands in the middle of the national park.
The park’s rich species composition structure is a result of this unique location. several non-native plant species coexist peacefully with several native ones in Cuc Phuong. The Lauraceae, Magnoliaceae, and Meliaceae families are typical of native species, but the Dipterocarpaceae family is indicative of non-native species from the warmer southern regions. Species belonging to the Fagaceae family are representative of those originating in the north. In the heart of the park, Cuc Phuong is a notable primary forest area that is mostly found on limestone hillsides and valleys. as a unique location to house Cuc Phuong’s abundant plant varieties.
According to survey results from 2008, there are 2,234 species belonging to 917 genera and 231 families. Numerous of them are highly valuable: There are 430 species of medicinal plants, 229 edible plant species, 240 species that may be used as dyes or medicines, 137 species that can produce tannin, etc., and 13 species that are included in the IUCN Red List 2004 and Vietnam Red Data Book 2000. Among the notable species are Erythrophloeum fordii, Parashorea chinensis, Dalbergia tonkinensis, and Nageia fleyri. Amorphophallus dzui, Begonia cucphuongensis, Pistacia cucphuongensis, Vietorchis aurea, Camellia cucphuongensis, Carex trongii, and other endemic plant species are among the eleven.
Nyctocalos (Bignoniaceae) and Garrdneria (Loganiaceae), two new genus for Vietnam, were found by scientists during the inquiry survey. Cuc Phuong is particularly noteworthy for having found a new genus and species for science: Vietorchis aurea Averyanov (Orchidaceae).
Fauna
Vertebrate fauna: Cuc Phuong has a rich and varied wildlife as well. The results of studies carried out in 1963 by various writers and in 1971 by Le Hien Hao and colleagues revealed that there are 251 species, 82 families, and 28 orders that make up the vertebrate fauna. After that, 7 orders, 38 families, and 408 new species of vertebrates have been found in Cuc Phuong, thanks to further research on the vertebrate fauna conducted by Cuc Phuong National Park in collaboration with local and international scientists. According to research findings from 2008, Cuc Phuong is one of the few areas in Vietnam with a high level of biological variety.
With 133 species, Cuc Phuong has a large and diverse vertebrate animal population that makes up 51.35% of all species found in the country (259 species). According to Birdlife International, Cuc Phuong NP is one of Vietnam’s Important Bird Areas. As of right now, 336 species have been found here, representing 39.25% of all bird species in the country (856 species). Cuc Phuong NP is home to 76 species of reptiles, which makes up 26.67% of the country’s total of 296 species. Cuc Phuong NP is home to 46 species of frogs, which makes up 28.39% of the total number of amphibians in the country (162 species). Cuc Phuong NP is home to 66 species of fish, which makes up 10.81 percent of all freshwater fish species in the country (610 species). There are 659 vertebrate species in all, of which 85 are included in the Vietnam Red Book. Several of these species are endemic to Cuc Phuong, including Pterocryptis cucphuongensis, Callosciurus erythraeus cucphuongensis, Tropidophorus cucphuongensis, Rana maosonensis, and Trachipythecus francoisi delacouri.
Invertebrate fauna: Cuc Phuong has a much more varied and dense invertebrate life. Approximately 7,400 invertebrate animal samples were collected between 2000 and 2008; these included 1,670 insect species and species types, 14 crustacean species, 18 myriapod species and types, 16 spider-shaped species, 52 annelid species and species types, 129 mollusc species and species types, and numerous other lower animal species. However, the reason for this is because research on lesser animal species has been scarce and has not received much attention; the estimates presented are simply preliminary. The true numbers of invertebrates in Cuc Phuong are thought to be somewhat higher, as they are in fact exceedingly rich and diverse.
Palaeontology: Previously, fossils and artifacts from prehistoric creatures have been found, excavated, and published. A fossilized marine mammal was discovered in Cuc Phuong National Park in the year 2000. Fossils found on the limestone rock’s surface date from the Dong Giao Formation to the Middle Triassic (T2), which is roughly 200–230 million years ago. Among the fossils are at least 12 full vertebrae and 10 ribs, among other things. According to preliminary findings, the fossil is a Placodontia species (tooth blade seen in reptiles). Scientists claim that this is the first Placodontia finding made in Southeast Asia.
Ethnic: Two major ethnic groups are represented in the 14 communes that surround Cuc Phuong National Park. Kinh ethnic people make up 23.4% of the region’s population, while Muong ethnic people make up 76.6%. In terms of both economic and cultural aspects, the earliest communities have consisted of two ethnic groupings. The market economy has recently spread to the Muong villages, which are gradually losing their cultural identity due to innovation. Nonetheless, certain isolated communities continue to practice the traditions, such as the Gong Festival, which preserve Muong culture. Human resources that are likely to support the growth of ecotourism, culture, and mankind in the future are the values of intangible culture.
Tours to Cuc Phuong: 2-day Cuc Phuong NP Discovery
