When it comes to Thanh Hoa, many people may think of the beautiful Sam Som beach with gorgeous sunlight and golden sand. However, the province has another heavenly untouched tourist location that has become very famous recently, Pu Luong, Vietnam. As a nature reserve that bears a large value of ecology, economics, science, and society, the site draws tourists to come to enjoy the beauty of raw and majestic nature.
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Where is Pu Luong?
Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a new name on the map, located in the territory of Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa District in the northwest of Thanh Hoa Province and 130km away from the city to the northwest. The North and Northeast of Pu Luong border the districts of Mai Chau, Tan Lac, and Lac Son in Hoa Binh Province.
Best time to travel to Pu Luong Vietnam
The best time to enjoy the pretty Pu Luong Vietnam is May – June, and September – October.
- May – June: It’s summertime but the weather is very cool, at about 68℉. Pu Luong, Vietnam at this time is bathed in the eye-catching green of young paddy fields.
- September – October: Season of golden paddy fields, when all the hills turn into a grand golden that is able to calm any minds. The beauty is both serene and dreamy that can hold you back.
How to get to Pu Luong Vietnam?
The way to Pu Luong Vietnam is considered the best route for Vietnam dirt bike tours.
If you depart from Hanoi and Northern provinces, head from Xuan Mai, Luong Son, Hoa Binh to Ban Lac, and Mai Chau. Continue going onwards to Co Luong, Dong Dieng, then turn to road 15C along the Ma River to reach the Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
And if you start from Thanh Hoa and Central or South provinces, go along the legendary Ho Chi Minh trails. After arriving in Cam Thuy, turn right and go ahead to Canh Nang. Next, get on Road 15C before running about 10km to hit Pu Luong, Vietnam.
Where to stay
Pu Luong is an ideal stopover for those who really love nature and want to get closer to it as well as the local culture. Therefore, you should stay at a local house or a homestay in the villages of Kho Muong, Kit, and Bang to gain more rustic experiences. The common price is around 2 dollars/night/person.
Or you can stay overnight at Pu Luong Retreat, which has the price of around 14 dollars/night for a space in stilt houses and 60,5 dollars/night if you choose to stay at the bungalows. Although there is no TV, air-conditioners or refrigerators, all the rooms are clean and refreshingly airy with basic amenities and WiFi. No worries! Living amid raw nature, you don’t need those devices. Believe us!
What’s interesting in Pu Luong?
Pu Luong Peak
Pu Luong in the Thai language means the highest peak in the region. At a height of 1700 meters, Pu Luong peak is such a pretty magnet for adventurous youngsters. Back then, the French once built a land strip for their retreat when necessary. Even so, the place bears many historic stories that a few people can know. Standing atop Pu Luong Peak, you will get the best aerial view over the stunning mountains, the golden rice fields stretching as far as the eyes can see, and the valley under your feet.
Son Ba Muoi
Located at an altitude of about 1,180 m, the danger and ruggedness along with the grandeur of the remote place in the mountains seem to set Son Ba Muoi (as known as Cao Son area) apart from the outside world but it’s irresistibly charming to tourists.
Dubbed as Sapa of Thanh Hoa, the place is hard to reach. Travelers have got to cross the sloping roads, go through many dreary forests. Nonetheless, when climbing up, you can admire the splendid scenery of sleepy villages resting beside colorful flowers and marvelous terraced fields.
Kho Muong Village
Kho Muong, which is a pristine valley in the buffer zone of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, has long been home to the White Thai ethnic minority group. Coming to Kho Muong, tourists will get a chance to learn more about the Thai people’s culture and enjoy their delicacies and specialties aside from immersing themselves in nature.
Pho Don Market
Do not pass by Pho Don Market if you have set your feet in Pu Luong. Opened every Thursday and Sunday, a market is a place for not only trading but also exchanging regional cultures between ethnic groups. Most are self-sufficient commodities and people often give the objects of equivalent value to take what they want.
The traditional culture of the ethnic minorities
The inhabitants in the highlands in general and the Pu Luong people in particular always welcome visitors with an endearing smile, friendliness, and hospitality. This makes you feel comfortable. Take time to go native and watch the traditional performances of Sap, Xoe, and Luon dances and enjoy the local specialties. These factors will bring you a perfect trip.
Hanoi – Pu Luong Motorcycle Tour Itinerary
As one of the lesser-known ecotourism and trekking spots of Vietnam, Pu Luong is a remote land that is incredibly beautiful and rustic. That’s why it has become a perfect getaway for travelers who are finding real nature and the best off-road two-wheeled tour.
For the best off-road riding to offer, we – BM Travel Adventure have designed scenic motorcycle tours from Hanoi to Pu Luong. Most of the routes that we choose are challenging and adventurous enough to please any riders, even the most fastidious ones.
Here are the suggested itineraries for a Pu Luong motorcycle tour from Hanoi. Scroll down and find the one that suits you most.
- 6-day Northwest Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Pu Luong and Ninh Binh
Route: Hanoi → Mai Chau → Moc Chau → Pu Luong → Cuc Phuong → Ninh Binh → Trang An → Hanoi
During this tour, we will take you to the valley of Mai Chau and Moc Chau Plateau. After that, you will take part in a cruise to 3 nature reserves including Pu Luong, Cuc Phuong, and Trang An in Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh Province. The trip comes with a day of trekking in Pu Luong before returning to the capital city of Hanoi. Check out the itinerary in detail below.
Check out the detailed itinerary!
- 3-day Motorcycle tour from Hanoi to Mai Chau via Pu Luong on the historic Ho Chi Minh trail
Despite being the shortest tour to uncover part of the Ho Chi Minh trail, the trip is still full of interests. Don’t worry if you are afraid of getting anything special and exciting. After getting out of Hanoi, we keep heading west for only a few hours to the serene valleys of Mai Chau and Pu Luong Vietnam. With a lot of charming natural landscapes, the area is well worth your stay for a few days. Overnight at a traditional stilt house in Mai Chau. The following is the detailed itinerary that you need to check out!
