Cuc Phuong, the first national park in Vietnam, was officially opened in 1960. it is located 160 km south west of Hanoi spanning Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces. The 200 square kilometre park attracts tourists and scientists alike. In 2002, nearly 100,000 visitors made their way to Cuc Phuong. Many come to see the work being done to protect endangered species. According to scientists, there are about 2,000 different species of flora and 450 species of fauna.

Cuc Phuong National Park has many caves. Quen Voi, also part of the park, is where Nguyen Hue’s army was stationed before it made its surprise attack on Thang Long and defeated the Quing invaders in the spring of 1789.

Cuc Phuong is also home to the Muong ethnic minority, who live mainly on bee keeping and farming.