Pu Luong, in the local language, stands for "the highest mountain peak". Pu Luong Nature Reserve belongs to both Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa district in Thanh Hoa province, the nature lovers in the north-west of Vietnam.
With an area of more than 17.600 hectares together with a diverse system of flora and fauna, Pu Luong impresses tourists with the natural beauty of its primary forests, terraces of rice and the peaceful life of the local ethnic minorities. It is a new attractive destination for any tourists loving the nature and wishing to discover new lands in their journey.
When is the best time to visit Pu Luong?
Tourists are supposed to visit Pu Luong in late May and early June when the season starts. All the terraces will be covered with the green color of young rice, which brings about a feeling of peace and tranquility. Although it is hot in summer, Pu Luong still maintains a comfortable temperature thanks to its location on a low limestone mountain area, with many tropical rainforests and the sparse population.
September and October are the harvest time in Pu Luong. All the terraces on the uphill mountains will turn into a glorious yellow and makes the place an opulent and dreamy area.
How to get to Pu Luong?
Pu Luong is about 150 kilometres from Hanoi, and takes approximately four and half hours to reach by car. Travellers can also hire private shuttles from Hanoi, with a stop in Mai Chau along the way. There is no direct public buses from Hanoi but there are buses to Mai Chau from My Dinh bus station, where you can take a taxi for the remaining 90-minute drive to Pu Luong.
Activities in Pu Luong
- Take a swim in Thác Hiêu waterfall
From the top of Hieu village, it’s only a short hike through the rice fields before you’re presented with a series of dreamy waterfalls cascading down the hillside. Climb down and follow along to where the two streams meet and the pools become larger. This is the perfect spot to cool down with a quick dip, relax in nature, and explore different sections of the falls.
- Exciting adventure on Cham river
Other than traveling through mountains and hills, we recommend you to visit Cham River and relax in the peaceful nature of Pu Luong. Here, you can explore the unique water transfer system of this region. Bamboo water wheels which transport water from the river to the handmade aqueducts are really interesting to watch.
- Immerse yourself in nature
Pu Luong’s mountains are covered with tropical rainforest, while the valley is a series of cultivated rice terraces. Take a walk along the valley floor or in the foothills to get up close with the area’s flora and fauna. Listen to the waterwheels and forest sounds, wave at farmers and grazing water buffalo, and snap pictures of the greenery and wildlife. Simply being in Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a breath of fresh air.
- Kho Muong village and Kho Muong cave
On the road to Pu Luong Mountain Peak, there is a wild and simple valley called Kho Muong. It is one of the remote villages in Muong Son Commune, Ba Thuoc District which is also the poorest one in the area. However, it has great potential for commune tourism thanks to the natural conditions and cultural traditions of the local residents.
The road to the village is meandering because it is still in construction. One side is the cliffs, and the other is a deep end with yellow terraces and endless green forests. There are about 60 families living in the area, most of them are Thai ethnic minority. Traditionally, they earn their living by growing rice, corn,.. self-sufficiently. Thanks to the dominance in natural resources, they have trained themselves to turn the village into an attractive tourism destination.
An impressive spot that tourists should not miss here is Kho Muong Cave. To reach the cave, you have to go through a perched path stretching for 100 meters. However, the cave heart is very wide, about 2,5 kilometers, with many small spaces sinking deeply into the ground. Hundreds of blocks of limestone have contributed for millions of million years to fulfilling the shape of the cave.
- Don Village (Thanh Lam Commune)
Don Village, the home of Thai ethnic people with population of 285 people (80 households). About 2 years ago, domestic and foreign tourists came to Don village more and more. Ban Don has peaceful space, beautiful natural landscape. But also enjoy the specialties of indigenous people. Such as: bamboo shoots, grass ducks, wild pigs, hill chickens… especially the scenery and hospitality of the local people.
- Trek to the top of Mt. Pu Luong
Trekking is the best way to soak up the natural splendour of Pu Luong. Access to maps and marked trails are limited throughout the park, so hiring a local guide will save you time and help you plot the perfect route. You may like to hike to the summit of Mt. Pu Luong, or do a multi-day trek through the entire reserve. Either way, you’re in a for an exhilarating experience.
- Dine on farm-to-table home cooking
There’s nothing more delightful than food made from ingredients grown right in the area. Pu Luong is home to an amazing array of vegetables such as baby pumpkin leaf, green beans and bamboo shoots. With so many freshly harvested options, you’re likely to find a few new favourites on the table. For a real Pu Luong lunch or dinner, try the locally raised pork and grilled mountain snails dipped in fish sauce.
Where to stay in Pu Luong?
Homestays make up the majority of accommodation options in Pu Luong. The good news is, each one is secluded and tranquil and you can take your pick from mountainside huts to stilted homes in the rice terraces. While there are also a handful of retreats, lodges and even treehouses on offer, homestays will give you a memorable experience deep in the serenity of the reserve. Some suggestions for you are: Pu Luong retreat, Ban Hieu garden Lodge, Puluong Nature Bugalow, homestay in Kho Muong village, Nua village, Kit village, etc.
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