The death of a male tourist from Hai Phong in Son Cung cave in Cuc Phuong National Park has raised concerns among those planning to visit this primeval forest.

A group of foreign tourists exploring Cuc Phuong forest. Photo: Le Hoang

A group of foreign tourists exploring Cuc Phuong forest. Photo: Le Hoang

On 20/8, the head of the Center for Environmental Education and Services at Cuc Phuong National Park stated that they have assessed the safety risks for visitors and regularly issue recommendations to avoid unfortunate incidents.

Before embarking on their trip, visitors should equip themselves with appropriate clothing and necessary items. Non-slip athletic or hiking shoes are essential for navigating wet slopes, jagged cliffs, and dense forests. Visitors should also bring water, personal medical supplies, insect repellent, a light raincoat, and a flashlight.

A fully charged mobile phone is crucial for maintaining contact in areas with cellular service. Visitors should save the park's emergency number in their phones as a safety net in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Nguyen Thanh Hai, a Ninh Binh resident with over 7 years of trekking and exploring Cuc Phuong National Park, said the forest has many confusing trails and intersections.

He suggests that visitors travel in groups or with a guide familiar with the terrain. Those who prefer solo trekking should register with the park management, inform them of their entry and exit times, and stick to designated routes. Groups should assign someone to monitor headcount and ensure everyone stays on track to prevent accidental separation.

Getting lost in the dense forest is one of the most dangerous situations in Cuc Phuong. The first rule is to stay calm. Remain in place and do not attempt to venture deeper into the forest. Trying to find your way out can lead you further astray, into difficult terrain, or dangerous areas.

Immediately contact rescue services via the emergency number. If the signal is weak, find a higher, open area for better reception. While waiting for assistance, conserve water by taking small sips, eat dry food if you have any, and use a whistle or flashlight to signal your location. Conserve your phone battery for communication. "Endurance and staying alert will increase your chances of being found quickly and safely," Hai said.

Traveling in a group from the start is crucial to minimize the risk of getting lost. Having companions makes handling emergencies safer and more effective.

Cuc Phuong is home to rare animals like the Delacour's langur, Owston's civet, and the Indochinese box turtle. The park management strictly prohibits bringing fire, smoking, cutting trees, picking flowers, breaking branches, exploiting forest products, or hunting animals.

The thousand-year-old Cho Chi tree, the location Mr. Manh is believed to have passed before disappearing on 14/8. Photo: Le Hoang

The thousand-year-old Cho Chi tree, the location Mr. Manh is believed to have passed before disappearing on 14/8. Photo: Le Hoang

On the afternoon of 13/8, 33-year-old Nguyen Quoc Manh from Hai Phong arrived at the Bong area, nearly 20 km from the park gate, and rented a room for the night. The next morning, he visited the thousand-year-old Cho Chi tree, about 3 km from his accommodation. On the way, he stopped at Son Cung cave, leaving his backpack at the entrance.

Later that afternoon, a group of tourists passing by discovered his backpack, identification, and phone. They took photos and reported it to the authorities.

After 6 days of searching involving hundreds of forest rangers, police officers, and sniffer dogs, Mr. Manh's body, bearing some injuries, was found about 500 m from the entrance of Son Cung cave where he had left his belongings. The location, halfway up the mountain behind the cave, is in a remote area within the core zone of Cuc Phuong National Park. Due to the difficult terrain, authorities were unable to retrieve the body until the morning of 20/8.

Park officials believe Mr. Manh likely took a wrong turn while returning from the cave. The V-shaped entrance of Son Cung cave is low and dark, while the "sky gate" at the back is brighter, possibly leading him deeper into the forest.

The core zone of Cuc Phuong National Park has many caves, attracting tourists to explore. Photo: Le Hoang

The core zone of Cuc Phuong National Park has many caves, attracting tourists to explore. Photo: Le Hoang

Cuc Phuong National Park has dozens of attractions, ranging from simple to complex. The route Mr. Manh took is considered simple, only 2-3 km from the Bong area, and many tourists explore it alone. "It's possible the tourist fell while venturing to a higher location," a park ranger said.

Son Cung cave has a sign at the entrance, but there's no map or electricity inside. The entrance is narrow, but the cave itself is spacious with many small passages.

Cuc Phuong National Park covers over 22,200 ha across Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Phu Tho provinces (formerly Hoa Binh). Established in 1962, it is Vietnam's first national park, renowned for its rich tropical rainforest ecosystem and as a destination for ecotourism and scientific research.

Le Hoang