Ninh Binh and Cuc Phuong Nat'l Park

Trip Start Feb 01, 2004
1
5
Trip End May 23, 2004


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Vietnam  ,
Friday, February 13, 2004

Ninh Binh is known as the Halong Bay on land. Karst topography gives way to stunning rock outcroppings and mountains that jut straight out of the flat and serene fields of rice. Ninh Binh is also known for being an ancient royal capital of Vietnam, though not much remains of it now. Numerous Buddhist temples can be found tucked away in small cave systems or carved out of escarpments overgrown with foliage. The highlight of this visit was rowing down a slow waterway that wound through a maize of rock outcroppings, cutting through fields of rice that were at times only an arms length away.

Cuc Phuong National Park was pretty spectacular too. It's only one of a handful of natural preserves in Vietnam, housing 1000yr old trees and a comprehensive primate rescue center. Great hiking and good park staff. We had a cheesy bonfire with some minority people that were shipped in just for us. It didn't get good until they pulled out their 10-gallon bottle of homemade rice wine. No goat legs this time, but plenty of other "secret ingredients."
Slideshow Print this entry Hanoi hotels