Cuc Phuong

Ho Chi Minh personally inaugurated the national park in Cuc Phuong, the largest in the country, in 1963. For hiking enthusiasts, it is a real pleasure to stalk through the jungle, visit caves or simply listen to the numerous animal voices.

Since 1993, ornithologist and monkey researcher Tilo Nadler has been running a sanctuary for endangered primates there, about 130 kilometers south of Hanoi. Today, some 130 rare monkey species live in the rainforest reserve, including the highly rare Delancour's langurs or gray dress monkeys.

He usually finds the neglected animals at village markets or rescues them from dark hotels, thus saving them from certain death. Nadler's work is of international renown, he has breeding successes to show, which astonish not only the visitors, but also experts all over the world.

Overnight stay in a simple hotel in the village or in the national park. Walk through the nearby village and have tea with local people.

From the national park, drive a good half hour to Van Long, where you will have lunch in a stilt house. From there it is about a kilometer down to the river. In a small wooden boat you are rowed through an enchanting river landscape surrounded by steep mountains. With a little luck and a trained eye, you can see monkeys shimmying along the towering slopes in search of a resting place.

Two-day tour: by private car, guided tour of the monkey center, hike in the park, lunch in Van Long, ride in ox cart and boat trip. Tourguide.