Safe trekking experience in Cuc Phuong forest

Cuc Phuong National Park is a nature reserve and special-use forest covering an area of 22,408 hectares located in the territories of three provinces: Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Phu Tho (formerly Hoa Binh). This area features dense forests, rugged terrain, many caves, and ancient trees... Notably, the deeper you go into the core area of the National Park, the less mobile phone signal you will have. If you plan to stay overnight in the forest or enter areas without mobile phone coverage, you need to equip yourself with basic survival skills.

1. Choose the right time

Summer (April - June) is the season for butterflies and fireflies, and weekends often see many tourists visiting during the day as well as camping overnight.

Late summer (July - September) is the rainy season. The paths in Cuc Phuong forest are originally trails, so it is not easy to move around without prior experience in the forest. It is advisable to avoid trekking during prolonged rainy periods or right after a rainy day.

The remaining months have quite cold weather with little rain.

2. Prepare supplies

Clothing: long-sleeved clothes, breathable, moisture-wicking, to protect against mosquitoes, leeches, and insects.

Shoes: it is recommended to choose sports shoes or trekking shoes with good grip (with spikes and anti-slip soles) for moving in the forest.

Personal items: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, insect spray, drinking water, camera, flashlight, power bank, binoculars (if available for wildlife watching). It is advisable to bring a personal water bottle instead of buying single-use plastic bottles to reduce littering in the forest.

Medications: it is advisable to have basic medications such as fever reducers, pain relievers, stomachache medicine, gauze, effervescent tablets.