Discovering Cuc Phuong Museum

Cuc Phuong is the first national park of Vietnam. It has the main task of managing and protecting forest. In addition, Cuc Phuong also has a function of scientific research. The process of studying has helped form a precious collection of biological specimens, laying the foundation for the establishment of the Cuc Phuong Museum.

After 50 years of establishment and development, the Cuc Phuong Museum now has approximately  13,000 specimens of flora and mushroom; 450 specimens of animals, birds, reptiles and frogs; 4,000 specimens of insects; 300 specimens of minerals, fossils and archaeological artifacts.

The most impressive thing of the Cuc Phuong Museum is the butterfly tower - the most typical insect of Cuc Phuong tropical rain forest.

The butterfly tower consists of 350 out of 380 different species of butterflies found in Cuc Phuong forest.

From the end of March to May every year, thousands of butterflies rush in every corner of the Cuc Phuong forest, they fly in the sky, in the spring and deep in the forest. This has inspired for Cuc Phuong to choose butterfly as a symbol of the Museum.

Furthermore, butterflies are evidence of biological diversity of Cuc Phuong since butterflies only live in the fresh environment with high biological diversity.

Cuc Phuong is located in the tropical climate belt with the hot and humid monsoon all year round, so it is very suitable for many species of plants to grow and develop.

According to scientists' statistics, Cuc Phuong has nearly 2,500 species of higher plants, including many precious plants such as: Syzygium aromaticum, Erythrophleum fordii, Terminalia myriocarpa Henrila, Parashorea chinensis.

Besides, Cuc Phuong is also home to around 400 species of medicinal plants, 300 species of fruit plants and lower plants.

Inside the museum, visitors will have a chance to learn about some typical, precious plants through some specimens of Entada rheedii, Pteridophyta, orchids, Paris Poluphylla Sm, Camellia chrysantha

The fauna of Cuc Phuong is extremely rich and diverse too.

According to the latest survey data, Cuc Phuong currently has 137 species of mammals, of which the largest species is the Bear Horse with a body weight of up to 200 kilogrammes. Cuc Phuong also has many endemic species such as red-bellied squirrel, and white-breasted langur, etc.
In addition, it is also home to 337 species of birds, 129 species of reptiles and amphibians, 66 species of fish, 23 species of mollusks, 12 species of crustaceans and about 2,000 types of insects and numerous aquatic animals. 

In addition, the Cuc Phuong Museum is also a place to store, preserve and display specimens of historical and cultural values associated with the people in this region.

Fossil samples of terrestrial creatureswhich appeared in the period of sea recession (climbing plant, Polypodium Leucotomos,  Vines, Ferns,Selaginella tamariscina ); fossil samples of marine creatures (Ammonoidea, Nautilus and tooth of Elephant); the remains and relics of prehistoric people about 7500 - 7600 years ago along with the cultural space of the Muong ethnic people.

The Cuc Phuong Museum always provides different thematic exhibitions to attracts visitors to explore nature.

In a tranquil space of Cuc Phuong, visitor will feel more relax. Mixing in the nature helps people have more love of nature, respect and have a higher sense of responsibility in  natural protection.

Translated by Nguyen Thuy