It was the tiny flickering light in the night, the feeling of sitting in the yard looking up at the silent dots of light flying across the sky. And so, one day in early May, he and his wife and two small children decided to go to Cuc Phuong National Park – where the forest was in the season of butterflies and fireflies – to find that light again.
Cuc Phuong in May with many "gifts" of nature waiting
Butterflies fly everywhere, the forest turns into a symphony of colors
Not everyone knows that the period from late April to mid-May is when Cuc Phuong's nature is at its most brilliant. The first summer rains awaken the green of the old forest, butterflies bloom everywhere, and when the sun sets, Cuc Phuong forest transforms into a stage for fireflies - a mysterious light that few people can see in the modern city.
“At first, I just wanted to take pictures of fireflies. But the trip exceeded my expectations, as the whole family lived slowly in the forest, and the children saw butterflies and fireflies for the first time, creatures that for city children now only exist in fairy tales,” said Mr. Nhat.
The tall elephant ear bushes seem to take visitors into a cartoon.
As soon as he entered the forest, through the canopy of ancient trees, through the bushes of taro that were taller than a person, his whole family was greeted by a scene like a fairy tale. “Butterflies filled the path. Hundreds, thousands of white, yellow, orange butterflies... fluttered in the sunlight filtering through the leaves. It felt like we were sitting in the front row watching a lively performance that nature had staged just for us,” he said.
A quiet moment in the deep forest, with only butterflies and the whispering of the wind
Butterfly season in Cuc Phuong is unlike anywhere else. Butterflies here are so dense that they cover the entire road, land on shoulders, and land on people’s arms. “If you want to see beautiful butterflies, just ‘walk gently, speak softly, and breathe evenly’. Butterflies are very sensitive to sound, so the gentler you are, the closer you are to their world,” Mr. Nhat noted.
Butterflies here are so dense that they cover the entire road, land on shoulders, and land on people's arms.
Stars flying in the silent forest
As dusk fell and darkness enveloped the forest, Nhat’s family continued their journey into the night forest – the part he was most nervous about before the trip. “I thought I would be scared walking in the dark forest. But strangely, I felt strangely peaceful. The whole forest was silent, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves and the chirping of insects.”
The old light of childhood now shines brightly in the Cuc Phuong forest
And then, the first light appeared – a small spot like a fragile ray of light in the darkness. Then the second, the third… “Just a few minutes later, the whole forest seemed to be lit up by hundreds of small stars flying around. I got goosebumps with emotion. So beautiful. So magical. And surprisingly: it reminded me of the feeling of a boy in the past, sitting watching fireflies flying in my garden,” he recalled.
The family stood in silence for a long time. No one said anything. No one rushed to take pictures. They just wanted to preserve the moment as it was.
The whole group held their breath at the moment the fireflies flew up together like a small galaxy.
For Nhat, this was a valuable experience not only because of the scenery, but also because of the feeling of reconnecting with nature – a “precious moment of silence” in the hustle and bustle of daily life. He shared: “For adults, it is an opportunity to slow down and breathe more deeply. For children, it is the most vivid lesson about the natural world – where everything is always more beautiful than the screen.”
Notes for a complete experience at Cuc Phuong
Butterfly watching: should go during the day, especially early morning or late afternoon – when butterflies are most active. After rain or on sunny days, the number of butterflies will be higher.
Firefly watching: ideal time is from 7pm to 9pm. Use low or red lights to avoid scaring them. Walk slowly and quietly so the fireflies can fly out more naturally.
Preparation: bring enough water, mosquito spray, wear long sleeves and closed shoes when going to the forest. Especially, do not leave trash, limit plastic bottles and keep the forest intact as a gift for future visitors.
In nature, we learn to walk slowly, breathe evenly, and see with all our hearts.
“The most important thing is to keep a relaxed attitude. Don’t expect too much or demand anything from nature. Just open your heart and you will receive more than you think,” said Nhat.
