Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the very first national park in Vietnam. Located only 120km southwest of Hanoi and nestled between the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, Cuc Phuong boasts an engaging cultural and wildlife heritage and enchanting scenery. Magnificent lime-stone mountains rise up majestically from the green rice-terraces and traditional stilt houses of the Muong hill-tribe. Covered in a dense forest, this landscape forms the habitat for some of Asia’s rarest animal and plant species. It is no wonder that researchers, naturalists, enthusiasts and conservationists alike are drawn to this corner of the world.
Kenh Ga Floating Village is 21km from Ninh Binh, off the road to Cuc Phuong National Park. Kenh Ga (Chicken Canal) is named after the wild chickens that used to live here. Today, a riverine way of life and stunning limestone formations are the main draw. Locals spend many hours on the water, watching over fish-breeding pens or selling vegetables boat-to-boat. Even the children commute to school by river. This was largely a floating village, but more land-based houses have now been built. Kenh Ga is best seen in the wet season from June to September. During other months, boats are far less frequent as water levels are lower and there are fewer visitors to the area.
