It is located in a valley in the northern province of Thanh Hoa, about 180 km from Hanoi. Here, nature is the most magnificent.
360-degree rice paddies and forests. Flatland forests, mountain forests, and numerous bamboo groves.
Many animal species including the Delacour’s langur, an endangered monkey species. 30 of these animals still live here. It is also said that Pu Luong is a “storehouse” of medicinal plants. 1,100 species of vascular plants, four of which are listed in the Red Book of the World.
Pu Luong is populated by the Thai ethnic group who live in houses on stilts with thatched or palm leaf roofs. The daily life of the Thai is mostly removed from modern times.
Cycling, hiking, climbing, being guided by the host to secret places in this beautiful nature, and preparing dinner with the Thai family, chatting and exchanging ideas for an evening, is an unforgettable experience that more than makes up for the Spartan conditions for an evening and a night.
Ban Don is the main residence of the Thai ethnic group, consisting of 76 households and 285 people with a total natural area of over 125 hectares in Thanh Lam commune, Ba Thuoc mountainous district (Thanh Hoa).
Don village possesses a wild beauty, with extending terraced fields, stilt houses located along the foothills of calm and tranquility.
Just 10 km from the center of Pu Luong, and accessible by car/motorbike or on foot, Kho Muong village is located at the foot of a steep valley. Warm encounters with the Thai people, discovering their habitat and their way of life from another time.
During the walk in the village, you will meet residents busy with their daily tasks in the rice fields. This pleasant walk takes you to Hang Doi cave which houses thousands of bats.
The picturesque village of Hieu stands on a hill of terraced rice fields and has a pretty waterfall of the same name. The waterfall, nestled in lush tropical vegetation, forms beautiful clear water basins suitable for swimming.
Participating in the Pho Doan market, held on Thursday and Sunday mornings, and discovering exotic products grown in the region. There are not too many tourists. Don’t miss it if you are in the area on a Thursday or Sunday!
Pu Luong is populated by the Thai ethnic group who live in stilt houses with thatched or palm roofs. The daily life of the Thai is out of modern time for the most part. Meeting these people is a beautiful experience!
Thai hospitality is real, and sharing a meal with the Thai also means preparing the meal with them!
As for hiking, which is the only activity to practice, you will do it in the company of the host who knows the places better than anyone! You will discover very pretty villages, isolated in the middle of rice fields: Ban Hang, Ban Kho Muong, Ban Cao Hoong, Ban Eo Ken, Ban Uoi, Ban Chieng Lau…
In the village of Hieu, you will discover what waterwheels are. A system that collects water, pours it into buckets and pipes, and redistributes it in the rice fields.
The mountains of Pu Luong are covered with humid tropical forests, while the valley is a series of cultivated terraced rice fields.
Take a walk along the valley floor or foothills to get closer to the flora and fauna of the region. Listen to the sounds of hydraulic wheels and the forest, meet residents busy with their daily tasks in the rice fields, and take photos of the greenery and fauna. Or simply stay at your hotel and enjoy fresh air.
In the language of the Thai ethnic group, Pu Luong means the highest mountain in the region. If you are an avid hiker, conquering the summit of Pu Luong at an altitude of 1700m is an unforgettable experience. It takes 5-6 hours of walking to climb it and enjoy a splendid view of the entire valley.
A short hike through the rice fields leads you to Hieu Waterfall. The waterfall, nestled in lush tropical vegetation, forms beautiful pools of clear water suitable for swimming.
For adventure enthusiasts, kayaking on the Pu Luong River is a very interesting option, especially during the rainy season. Paddle through a breathtaking river landscape, passing traditional stilt houses, impressive waterwheels, and farmland.
The Pho Doan market takes place every Thursday and Sunday morning. Kinh, Thai, and Muong ethnic groups gather there to sell their products, including peasant agriculture and handicrafts. There aren’t too many tourists here. Don’t miss it if you are in the area on a Thursday or Sunday!
Homestay is currently a popular formula in Pu Luong, and it has proven successful in other regions. With the help of the state, the Thai people undertake housing development work that provides a minimalist level of comfort but offers nature-loving and peaceful tourists adequate food and sleeping arrangements. The income they receive directly, without intermediaries, thus significantly improves their living conditions
Considering the distance of 180 km from Hanoi and the driving time, a minimum stay of 2 days/1 night is suggested for a perfect discovery of the Pu Luong nature reserve.
It is possible to combine it with Mai Chau, the terrestrial Ha Long Bay, and an extension to the maritime Ha Long Bay with a cruise.
A possible extension of 3 or 4 days in Pu Luong
Located in the most pristine reserve in the North, with a unique impression in every architecture, Pu Luong Natura is an ideal resort for a return to nature. Located in Ban Don, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province, the complex has an area of over 1800m2, the most unique pool in Vietnam, and bungalows right next to the edge of terraced fields. Visitors will be immersed in the setting of the island, rustic but pure nature, close yet.
Located in the Pu Luong region, this hotel offers a charming and serene setting for travelers seeking authenticity and tranquility. From the rooms, a magnificent panorama of rice fields and mountains unfolds before your eyes.
