Travelling to Pu Luong on the tours of Vietnam is perfect for the nature lovers wishing to escape the bustle of city life and see imposing mountain ranges, intact rivers and waterfalls, poetic villages, and immense valleys of beautiful terraced rice fields. Plus, a tour of a less-visited place like Pu Luong makes it possible to get off-the-beaten-path and appreciate the remote life and taste the local cuisine.

The Pu Luong region gives the perfect opportunity to get to know authentic Vietnam with its remote region and friendly and kind-hearted local ethnic-minority Muong and Thai that have their own interesting cultures and lifestyles.

Pu Luong and its nature reserve is slowly gaining favour in the region and starting to see more tourist attention over the otherwise most famous destinations in the north, such as Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Mai Chau, and Sapa.

Best time to visit

The terraced fields are popular and quite beautiful in Pu Luong valley and to appreciate this region at its most beautiful, you want to travel at the right time of the year. The best time to travel to Pu Luong is between February to May and September to November when the rice harvest season is taking place. This is the time to fully appreciate the multi-layer terraced fields and lush-green landscape that will certainly give the breathtaking photographic moments. Plus, the weather is pleasant at this time of year with a temperature range in the region of 15-30° C. The warmest time is from June to September with highs of up to 38° C, while winter (November-February) can be chilly and cold.

Getting there from Hanoi

The travel distance from Hanoi to Pu Luong is in the region of 150 km which makes a journey time of just over 4 hours by private car hire.

Tours to Pu Luong

A trip to the Pu Luong Nature Reserve on the Vietnam holiday is a popular 2 or 3-day tour destination for the traveller based in Hanoi, who is looking to escape the city life for the peaceful limestone landscape in the countryside with its high biodiversity value, cultural interest and outstanding beauty. A trekking tour gives the opportunity to explore the rice paddy fields and lush forests. Alternatively, it is possible to cycle through the reserve and stop at several of the small and beautiful villages and appreciate the stunning terrace fields in Kia, Kho Muong, and Hang villages. Also, this type of tour often includes staying in a homestay with a local family for the most authentic experience.

Pu Luong is one of the best places for the off-the-beaten-path adventure that is relatively close to Hanoi and makes it possible to see the more authentic side of Vietnam.

Where to stay?

In addition to the number of inns and homestays in the region, Pu Luong Retreat continues to be a popular place to stay while visiting this beautiful part of Vietnam. This retreat is well linked and close to several of the nearby attractions. The accommodation options include suite bungalow, valley-view bungalow, and dorms. A dorm is relatively cheap at $13 per night, while a stay in a bungalow is $20 per night. While this retreat isn't fitted out with the latest facilities, it does create a comfortable place to rest up for the night. Sun lounge chairs, comfortable beds, and a pool are the pleasant amenities you can enjoy.

However, for the travellers on the family tours in Vietnam wishing to experience the more authentic stay in Pu Luong, there is the option to stay with a local family in a homestay. A great benefit of the overnight stay at a local homestay is the ability to get a more in-depth experience and get closer to the local ethnic minority people. Plus, the homestay gives the opportunity to enjoy a traditional meal and drink that has been prepared by your hosts.

Things to do in Pu Luong

Once you arrive in Pu Luong, there are plenty of not-to-be-missed experiences, including:

Trekking

Trekking in Pu Luong is certain to appeal to tourists looking to relax among nature and explore the mysterious beauty in this evergreen region of Vietnam. Walk along the mountain ranges, cross the streams and see the immense fields that create the pristine landscape that is perfect for capturing the photographic memories. Plus, there are plenty of scenic routes to following on the trekking expedition. The thrill-seekers can try the multi-day trek on the least-visited trails and pass several villages, a challenging hike that climbs to the Pu Luong summit, or the more leisurely hike with a trail distance of about 5 km that passes nearby hamlets.

Cycling

A really enjoyable and authentic way to explore the different regions of Pu Luong is by hiring a bicycle for the day. The energetic cyclists can travel the remote tracks and steep valleys that follow a very scenic route. Similar to the hiking routes, there are also several for cycling with a difficulty range from moderate to advanced.

Kayaking

Pu Luong’s river is a great place for the kayaking enthusiasts, especially when the rainy season arrives. A trip along the river gives the stunning scenery with the green farmland, eye-catching water wheels, simple stilted houses, and all-round beautiful riverscape.

In addition to kayaking, there is also the option to go rafting on the simple bamboo rafts. The Cham River is extremely peaceful and makes it possible to appreciate the local farming life. Plus, it may even be possible to get full hands-on experience and copy what the local fishermen do.

Relaxing

For the travellers that simply want to relax, Pu Luong can be your stress-free retreat. The local harmonious and pure atmosphere is perfect to simply lay back and relax. Whether it is walking in harmony with nature, sunbathing, swimming, or gardening, there are plenty of things to do to feel relaxed and comfortable on the package holidays to Vietnam.