How tall is the Thousand-Year-Old Cho Tree in Cuc Phuong? Discover Vietnam's largest ancient tree

The Thousand-Year-Old Cho Tree in Cuc Phuong belongs to the Parashorea chinensis species (scientific name: Parashorea chinensis), a large timber tree of the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is a native species of lowland tropical forests in Vietnam and several Southeast Asian countries, listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam due to the threat of extinction from over-logging and habitat loss.

In Cuc Phuong National Park – Vietnam's first primeval forest established in 1962 – this Cho tree stands out as a "soul" of the deep forest. Not only an ancient tree, it also represents a diverse ecosystem with hundreds of rare species of flora and fauna, from black-shanked douc langurs to rare forest orchids. If you are researching the largest ancient tree in Vietnam, the thousand-year-old Cho tree is the undisputed "king" that cannot be missed.

The thousand-year-old Cho tree belongs to the Terminalia myriocarpa species (Chò chỉ or Chò xanh). This is a typical large timber tree species of monsoon tropical forests, usually growing at medium altitudes in primary limestone forests like Cuc Phuong.

Identification characteristics:

• The trunk is straight and solid, its surface covered with moss and vines over the years.
• A broad canopy providing large shade for the surrounding ecosystem.
• Seeds and fruits are an important food source for many forest animals.

The tree is not only a "giant" in size, but also a living witness to the history of the ancient forest, surviving centuries of climate change and human impact.

The journey of the thousand-year-old Cuc Phuong Cho tree is closely intertwined with the nation's history. Germinating around the 11th century – the prosperous era of the Ly Dynasty – the tree "witnessed" the rise of the Tran and Le dynasties, resistance wars against foreign invaders, and the establishment of the Cuc Phuong primary forest as a strategic reserve during the anti-American resistance war.

By the 20th century, the tree had become a symbol of Cuc Phuong National Park, admired by international tourists and scientists. However, from 2017, signs of decline appeared: dry rotting branches, peeling bark due to natural aging, termite attacks, and human impacts (such as carving names on the trunk). By 2018, the tree officially died, but the process of "passing away" lasted until 2023, leaving behind a hollow trunk that still stands proudly in the middle of the forest.

A journey to visit the Thousand-Year-Old Cho Tree is now a pilgrimage into the past to admire a tragic and majestic historical witness.

Ideal Time to Visit

• Dry season (December to May of the following year): This is the best time. The weather is cool and dry, trails are not slippery, making it very favorable for jungle walking (trekking).
• Special experience: Don't miss the butterfly season (late April – May) when millions of butterfly wings fill the sky, turning Cuc Phuong into a fairytale land.

Trekking Journey to the Cho Tree

• Route: The most popular trekking route starts from the center (Bong area). This is a loop of about 6 - 7 km, taking about 3 hours to complete.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate, suitable for most visitors in good health.
• Highlights along the way: Besides the Cho tree, you can also admire the giant Bam Bam woody climber and explore the beauty of Son Cung Cave.

The thousand-year-old Cuc Phuong Cho Tree, with a record height of 45 - 50 meters, completed its millennium-long historical mission around 2018. Although it now remains only as a giant, hollow skeleton standing tall and proud, the Cho tree is not only a tragic witness to the immense power of nature, but also a living memorial. That image is a profound and powerful reminder of the fragility of heritage, urging every visitor to raise awareness of conservation, so that the legend of the Cho Chi tree will forever be an everlasting inspiration of the Cuc Phuong ancient forest.