25,000 athletes to partipate the running course through Cuc Phuong National Park

Mr. Do Van Lap, Deputy Director of Cuc Phuong National Park said that the event approved by the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (MARD) and Ninh Binh People’s Committee is launched to celebrate the country’s major holidays. The event co-hosted by Cuc Phuong National Park and Duong Dua Moi Company has completed the organization phase of the first season of the running race through the forest, with the participation of as many as 2,500 local and international athletes.

The sport event combined with an eco-tourism experience held on coming April 3 aims to spread the message of sustainable preservation and development; introduce the beauty and charm of the natural, historical, cultural value system attached to Cuc Phuong National Park, to implement the sustainable preservation and development strategy of Vietnam’s first National Park.

The first running movement race namely Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths 2022 takes place at Cuc Phuong National Park in the occasion of many major events in the forestry industry and Ninh Binh province are celebrated including Nho Quan district is recognized new rural area, 60 years of establishment and development of Cuc Phuong National Park and the unit is granted the title “Asia’s leading national park” by Word Travel Awards in three continuous years (2019, 2020, 2021)…

“We regard this a real professional activity, attaching to renovation and creation in building and developing ecological tourism development to enhance awareness on preserving the nature among many units. This is also a practical product to celebrate the 60 years of establishment and development of Cuc Phuong National Park”, Mr. Lap shared.

Covering an area of 22,408 hectares, the forest is likened to a treasure from the "wild days", with a value system that combines nature, history, and culture. Cuc Phuong National Park features vast green vegetation and millions of years of tropical rainforests on limestone mountains, containing extremely valuable biodiversity values.

Up to now, scientists have recorded 2,234 species, belonging to 931 genera, 231 plant families, of which 57 species are recorded in the Red Book of Vietnam and 15 endemic species. Cuc Phuong National Park also has a rich fauna, has recorded 669 vertebrate species belonging to 120 families, 35 orders, including mammals 138, birds 337, reptiles 80, amphibians 48, fish 66 species; in which there are 73 species of animals listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and 3 endemic species.

Regarding history-culture, historical scientists have been declaring several discoveries, especially in paleontology and archaeology, associated with the dry cave system.  mentioning Cuc Phuong will refer to Nguoi Xua cave, an archaeological site associated with the ancient Vietnamese people, which has become a familiar sight for millions of tourists.

In particular, the archaeological relic of Con Moong cave, located on the administrative boundary of Thach Thanh district (Thanh Hoa) has special and outstanding global value. This relic is being developed by the relevant agencies to request UNESCO to register it as a World Cultural Heritage. And it is impossible not to mention, on the cliffs in the core area of Cuc Phuong primeval forest, there is still an intact ancient fossil of a blade-toothed reptile, dating back over 200 million years...

The interaction and connection with the forest which is dated thousands of years back also note the indigenous community, 80% of which is Muong ethnic people – who play the role of "the cradle” laying Vietnamese culture, with its own culture, unique and rich in values. At present, the indigenous Muong ethnic community still maintains a friendly rhythm with the forest and plays an important role with the forest rangers who are directly involved in the protection and preservation of the "living nature museum" named Cuc Phuong...

On the eve of the event, the Organizing Committee of the "Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths 2022" run race said that the preparation work has been basically completed to be ready to welcome the athletes to participate. Specifically, all stages ensure absolute safety for athletes and people involved in the process of organizing the event, respecting the principles of nature conservation, food hygiene, and safety...

The 2022 race has the participation of about 2,500 athletes, including 992 female athletes, 1,475 male athletes from all parts of the country, and especially many international athletes from 13 countries such as France, Belgium, China, USA, Korea, India, Australia, Philippines, Germany, UK, Japan, Malaysia...

Mr. Do Hong Hai, Deputy Director of the Center for Environmental Education and Services - Co-Head of the Running Organizing Committee said: "Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths is a great opportunity for all local and international runners, boasting the trend of community sports activities and conveying the message of protecting nature and the environment. We believe that this annual run will be a true "festival", spreading the mission of sustainable protection and development of Cuc Phuong National Park".