Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Trekking, Rice Terraces & Homestays

The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a haven of breathtaking scenery, great biodiversity, and colorful local culture in the heart of northern Vietnam. For tourists looking for a site to retreat quietly and lazily without the hustle and bustle of crowded tourist cities like Hanoi, Pu Luong is a perfect destination which is still relatively unknown in Vietnam.

About Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Pu Luong was officially established in 1999 and covers an area of 17,600 hectares across the districts of Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa in Thanh Hoa province. The park is renowned for mighty forests, rice fields on terraces, limestone peaks, and traditional villages owned by the Thai and Muong ethnic minorities. This diverse ecosystem houses many plant and animal species, a few of which are endemic.

The best time to visit Pu Luong is from March through June and again from September through November. During this time, the weather is lovely, and the rice fields either attain bright green or golden colors, creating amazingly beautiful landscapes. The difference it will make should you be traveling during the week and not during Vietnamese public holidays is that it will be very quiet.

How to Get to Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Pu Luong is about 180 kilometers southwest of Hanoi. To reach the reserve, travelers can use:

• Private Car:
  Renting a private car is flexible and comfortable, especially if Pu Luong is part of a bigger northern Vietnam trip.

• Public Bus:
  There are buses from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa city, after which locals take people to the park. This is the cheapest way to reach from Hanoi but do note they are not as comfortable as the tour specific buses.

• Guided Tours:
  There are tour companies offering trips to Pu Luong that may include transfers, accommodation, and activities.
  Guided tours will always be more costly and you can surely save money by planning the tour on your own and travelling by a rented motorbike. But then you sacrifice time in building tour itinerary and comfort also.
  Personally, we would suggest the self guided tour of Pu Luong since you will have your own stories and freedom to stop and go whenever you want wherever you want! Plot the top spots on google maps given in our guide below and hop on to the best tour of north Vietnam.

Types of Accommodation in Pu Luong

There is quite a variety of accommodation types available in Pu Luong for different tastes:

• Eco-lodges:
  

• Pu Luong Retreat: This is among the oldest eco-lodges, offering comfortable bungalows in a tranquil environment. Here is the official website link for the resort and as always it will be always cheaper most of the time to book the tour directly with them by calling in advance compared to third party sites like Booking.com.

• Avana Retreat: Built by the local Hmongs, White Thai, and Black Thai, this retreat combines luxury with cultural authenticity. It's a luxury resort and one of the costliest properties in Pu Luong!

• Homestays:
  
  Living with the locals is an immersive cultural experience and a source of community benefit. Villages such as Ban Don and Ban Hieu are some of the favorite villages to stay in.

Activities and Attractions in Pu Luong

• Trekking:
  

• Summit of Mt. Pu Luong: Go for a guided trek to its summit for scenic views of the reserve. Start early in the morning if you want to see the sunrise, it's unreal, trust us!

• Multi-day treks: Hike on several trails that cut across the terraced fields, forests, and ethnic villages. It's difficult to get lost there but still have a map beforehand and if you can afford a book through a local tour operator.

• Waterfalls:
  

• Hieu Waterfall: A great spot for a swim and relaxation in the lap of nature. We loved it during the intense heat of the afternoon.

• Cultural Experiences:

• Traditional villages: Thai and Muong Villages are a must to understand local traditions, crafts, and daily life.

• Local Markets: The lively atmosphere in markets such as Pho Doan sees people trading goods and produce.

• Outdoor Activities:
  

• Bamboo rafting: Take a ride down the silent rivers in their famed bamboo rafts and witness the stillness and peace of the landscape. It was really peaceful with barely any tourists when we visited it.

• Cycling: Rent a bicycle and explore the reserve at your pace to find secret spots along the way. Some homestays provide complimentary bicycles when you stay with them/

Travel Tips for Pu Luong

• Local Guides:
  A local guide will increase the richness of the trip by helping you understand the ecology and culture of the area. Most of the local people who were also acting as tour guides were quite honest in our short tour there since it's still not heavily commercialised.

• Sustainable Tourism:
  Respect the locals, reduce or eliminate plastic usage, and support eco-friendly businesses that help conserve the natural environment.

• Preparation:
  Trekking shoes, insect repellents, and season-specific clothes are essential to be prepared.

Our Take

Pu Luong Nature Reserve reflects both aspects—nature and culture—of Vietnam. From trekking in the heart of its emerald-green valleys, mingling with locals, to simply basking in the tranquility, Pu Luong has its surprises in store for the perfect vacation of a sensible traveler. 
Trekking to reach Pu Luong summit is a must do thing there and we highly recommend doing only this activity if you only have a day there.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What time of the year is considered best for visiting Pu Luong Nature Reserve?
  The best time for visits is during the months of March, June, September, and November when the weather remains fine, and the rice fields have their fullest vibrancy. 

• How do I go to Pu Luong from Hanoi?
  You can hire a private car, take public buses to Thanh Hoa city and further local transport, or go on a guided tour that would provide the transport service. Buses are the cheapest way to reach.

• What kind of accommodation does Pu Luong offer?
  One can choose between eco-lodges, which include the likes of Pu Luong Retreat and Avana Retreat, or even homestays in villages such as Ban Don and Ban Hieu.
  We would recommend homestay to experience the best local food and talk with local villagers about their daily lives.
  I mean you most hotels and resorts would feel similar almost everywhere you go but if you want an authentic experience of Vietnam, then you gotta stay in homestays!
  
  

• What to Do in Pu Luong?
  You can walk, visit waterfalls like Hieu Waterfall, or just visit traditional villages, raft bamboo, and enjoy cycling. Trekking to the peak of Pu Luong is a must do!

• Must a Local Guide be hired to explore Pu Luong?
  While it is not compulsory, the best way to know trails and get deeper insights into ecology and culture is to hire a local guide.

• How should I go about responsible tourism in Pu Luong Nature Reserve?
  Respect the culture, reduce plastic usage, engage with only those businesses that are eco-friendly, and follow all guidelines for the protection of natural surroundings.
  Never and we repeat again, never throw any trash while you are trekking the mountain since it's really costly and time consuming to clean up given the accessibility!