Northern Vietnam
Pu Luong
Terraced valleys, bamboo bridges and Thai stilt house villages, far from the crowds.
About Pu Luong
A Quiet Valley For Walkers
Pu Luong Nature Reserve lies in the hills of Thanh Hoa province, about four hours south-west of Hanoi. It is a landscape of terraced rice fields, forested limestone ridges and small villages of the Thai and Muong people, linked by footpaths and bamboo bridges.
Unlike Sapa, Pu Luong is still quiet. There are no big hotels, only family homestays and a few eco-lodges, and the trails are the same ones farmers use every day. Bamboo water wheels lift water from the streams into the fields, and evenings are spent on the balcony of a stilt house.
It is a wonderful place for easy to moderate hikes, cycling and simply slowing down. Pu Luong combines well with Mai Chau, Ninh Binh and Halong Bay for a longer journey through the north.
Best time to visit
May to June and September to October, when the rice is green or golden. Spring is pleasant; winter can be cool and misty.
Getting there
About 4 hours by road from Hanoi.
How long to stay
2 to 3 days.
Good for
Hiking, homestays, nature, slow travel.
Highlights
What We Love About Pu Luong
Rice terraces
Green or golden depending on the season, carved into the valley walls.
Stilt house homestays
Nights with Thai and Muong families, with home-cooked dinners.
Village trails
Walks of 6 to 15 kilometres between hamlets, fields and forest.
Bamboo water wheels
Traditional wheels that lift water from the river into the fields.
Ma River rafting
A gentle bamboo raft trip on a wide, scenic river.
Peace and quiet
One of the least crowded corners of northern Vietnam.
Tours
Pu Luong Tours
Walking journeys with homestays, linking Pu Luong to Ninh Binh and the bays of the north-east.
Halong Bay
Pu Luong to Bai Tu Long Bay
A seven day journey through hill tribe villages, limestone rivers and the islands of Bai Tu Long Bay.
Plan Your Trip To Pu Luong
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