Pu Luong Discovery Handbook

Pu Luong is a primeval forest reserve, famous for its diverse ecosystem of successive mountains, endless terraced fields, and gentle streams and rivers. The journey to discover Pu Luong is not only a trip but also a journey for us to discover ourselves, immerse our souls in unspoiled nature, and awaken our love for mountains and forests - the green lungs of the earth. Through extremely interesting experiences in Pu Luong. Pu Luong Jungle Lodge would like to show you "Pu Luong Handbook Discovery”. We hope that our sharing will help you have a wonderful trip, and full of peace in Pu Luong!

Where is PU LUONG?

Pu Luong is about 180 kilometers far from Hanoi to the northwest - a nature reserve established in 1999 with its area covering Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa districts, Thanh Hoa province. In addition to the diversity of natural landscapes, there is also a diversity of cultural identities of the Thai community.

Local attractions

Bamboo Rafts on Cham Stream

*** NOTE: From 27/04/2024, all bamboo rafting activities on the river are temporarily suspended until further notice.

Taking a trip to the bamboo rafts and bathing in Cham Stream in Pu Luong is one of the exciting experiences that many travelers cherish when they visit this "enchanted paradise." Leave behind the noise of everyday life, the stress of work, and unwind by the stream, take a refreshing dip, ride bamboo rafts, and explore the village.

From the Jungle Lodge gate, turn right and continue for about 12 km, passing Ban Cong Primary School; you will find the entrance to Chieng Lau. The road here is quite narrow, suitable for walking, riding a motorbike, or a bicycle. Cross the Chieng Lau bridge, follow the small village road, turn left, and head to the end of the road. The path can be challenging and winding, so for detailed directions and guidance, please contact the reception for assistance.

The bamboo rafts here are quite spacious, accommodating around 10 people, and the ticket price is 100,000 VND per person. Enjoy the crystal-clear river with visible rocks and moss, let your spirit drift along with the passing clouds, and find an unexpected serenity in this peaceful place.

At the end of the river, the rafts will stop, allowing you to explore Chay cave, adorned with massive stalactites that have formed over hundreds of years. However, be cautious, as the path leading to the cave and inside the cave can be quite challenging.

Chieng Lau Waterwheel

Approximately 100 meters from the bamboo rafts is an area featuring giant waterwheels. Waterwheels, also known as water scoops, are unique creations of the local community. For the people of this ethnic group, waterwheels play a crucial role in their daily lives and production. The materials used to make these waterwheels come from the mountains and forests, such as bamboo, rattan, palm, wood, and bamboo slats. After generations of refinement and experience in agricultural production, these waterwheels represent the development of agricultural civilization within the Wet Rice culture.

Hieu Waterfall

Ban Hieu, located in Dien Quang commune, Ba Thuoc district, is a Thai ethnic village nestled at the foot of Pu Luong. The stream originates from the top of Pu Luong and boasts five distinct waterfalls along its short course. Each waterfall possesses its unique beauty. The most picturesque is Hieu Waterfall, where the water flows from the mountain and splits into two directions before merging again at the end of the stream. The water level here is only about 1 meter, with a sandy bottom, making it suitable for adventurous swimmers.

Doan Fair Market

To reach Hieu Waterfall, you will pass through Doan Market. This market is held every Thursday and Sunday mornings. Doan Market, also known as Doan Market, has a long history dating back to the French colonial period. It is situated in Lung Niem commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province, and is a reflection of the cultural and daily life of ethnic groups in the western highlands of Thanh Hoa.

The market offers a wide variety of goods, with a particular focus on the local produce cultivated by indigenous people in the region. Most of these products are grown and harvested by locals from the forests.

Doan Fair Market has become an attractive destination to explore the cultural beauty of the highland ethnic communities.

Kho Muong Village - Hang Doi

Kho Muong Village is also known as Hua Muong in the Thai language. According to the locals here, "Kho" means the original, and "Muong" means village. "Kho Muong" is the place where people first settled in this area.

About 300 years ago, some residents of Lung Cao commune went hunting and found this valley to be relatively flat and blessed with abundant water sources from various streams. They decided to establish their livelihoods here by cultivating fields, creating a picturesque and prosperous village that exists today.

From the Jungle Lodge gate, turn left and drive about 5 km. You will see a sign indicating the way; turn right to reach Kho Muong Village. The road to Kho Muong Village can be challenging, with steep slopes and rough dirt roads. There is about 2 km of rocky terrain, and the road is narrow and winding, with a cliff on one side and a gorge on the other. You can reach the Kho Muong gate by car, but the rest of the way is extremely narrow and must be traversed on foot or by motorbike or bicycle. As you descend into the village, you will encounter the traditional stilt houses of the Black Thai ethnic group peacefully nestled in the valley.

Continue a bit further and turn right; you will come across vast rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see. Follow the narrow path with a stream on one side and the fields on the other, and you will find a sign that reads "Visit Hang Doi Cave." Cross a small bamboo bridge over the stream, and there is a small toll booth for hygiene purposes before entering the cave, with an entrance fee of 10,000 VND per person.

Inside Hang Doi Cave, you'll find a spacious cavern with massive, oddly shaped limestone formations that have stood for hundreds of years. You can explore deeper into the cave, but be cautious as the path can be slippery.

Terraced Rice Fields

Bam village: Just a 300-meter walk from Jungle Lodge, you'll encounter the breathtaking scenery of terraced rice fields and majestic mountains in front of you.

Don village: From the Jungle Lodge gate, turn right and drive about 1 km to reach the entrance of Don Village. You can also drive down to the valley below the village.

Bang village: Turn left from the Jungle Lodge gate and drive for 3 km to reach Bang village.

Uoi Village - Lan Village

Looking down from Don village, tourists will see Uoi Village nestled at the foot of the limestone mountains, with a lush palm forest providing shade from the sun above. The terraced rice fields meander around the village, and a stream flows through the middle where locals bathe and do their laundry. Next to Uoi Village is Lan Village, where the traditional craft of weaving brocade is still preserved. In the past, people wove brocade only for their families and neighbors. Recently, as the village began to engage in tourism, the locals started weaving more to serve visiting tourists.

Tourist experience weaving brocade in Lan village

Son – Ba – Muoi village

Son Ba Muoi, or Cao Son, is the collective name for three villages: Son, Ba, and Muoi, located at the highest point of Lung Cao commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province. These villages are situated on the peaks of mountain ranges such as Pha Chien, Pong Muu, and Pong Pa Co, running parallel to the Pu Luong mountain range, and they sit at an elevation of nearly 1,200 meters above sea level. This is the primary residence of the Black Thai ethnic group, and life here is largely isolated from the outside world.

Son Ba Muoi remains largely untouched by human intervention, and its climate is fresher than other places, earning it poetic descriptions such as "the flower of the mountains and forests" and "a paradise on earth."

The road to Son Ba Muoi is only suitable for motorbike travel due to steep and somewhat dangerous terrain. If you're not comfortable riding, you can hire a local motorbike taxi driver to take you there.

Pu Luong summit

In the Thai language, Pu Luong means the highest peak in the region, and indeed, the peak stands at an elevation of 1,700 meters. Standing at the entrance to Ban Don, you can easily spot the towering and lush green Pu Luong Peak.

If you're a trekking and adventure enthusiast, then Pu Luong Peak is the ideal destination for you. With an elevation of 1,700 meters, it takes approximately 4 hours to reach the summit on clear, sunny days. From the summit, you can gaze down below and admire the panoramic view of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, savoring the sense of conquering this glorious peak.

“Hoi” Tangerine Garden

Hoi tangerine, also known as "quýt hôi" or "quýt hoi," is a native plant originating from the highlands of Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province.

Tangerines are more sour compared to other citrus fruits but have a distinct and pleasant aroma. When eating tangerines, people experience a strong flavor, a refreshing sensation in the throat, and a clearing of the sinuses. People in the highlands often use tangerine peels to make tea for medicinal purposes, especially to relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions.

Muon Waterfall

Muon Waterfall is located in Dien Quang commune, Ba Thuoc district. The stream flows from the high mountain crevices, over 500 meters above sea level, through the valley, creating a majestic waterfall with 43 tiers of varying heights. Accessing Muon Waterfall is easy because the rocks here are of the sandy type and not slippery.

In addition to the mentioned destinations, you can combine your travels with some areas near Pu Luong, such as: Mai Chau, Cuc Phuong national park, The God Fish Stream,…

Local Cuisine

Co Lung Duck: They are usually raised near natural streams, which makes their meat tender and more flavorful compared to industrially raised ducks. Co Lung duck can be prepared in various ways, such as grilled duck, steamed duck, hotpot with snakehead fish, and duck salad.

Hill Chicken: Hill chickens in Pu Luong taste better than those in other regions because they roam freely and forage for their food, resulting in sweet, firm, and crispy meat. Pu Luong hill chicken can be prepared in various dishes, each with its own unique flavor. Grilled hill chicken with traditional Thai spices is particularly enticing.

Stream Fish and River Shrimp: Pu Luong is known for its stream fish and river shrimp, which may not be very large but offer tender and fresh meat. Some must-try dishes include grilled stream fish, fried stream fish, fish wrapped in banana leaves, grilled river shrimp, and fried river shrimp.

Bitter Leaf Soup: Bitter leaf soup is an acquired taste, but once you get used to it, it's hard to forget. Initially, the soup has a bitter taste, but as you continue eating, it transforms into a refreshing and soothing flavor. The bitter leaves are harvested from the forest and, despite being initially challenging to eat, can become addictive.

Bitter Bamboo Shoots: Bitter bamboo shoots are a specialty in Pu Luong, especially during the rainy season when they have a sweeter taste. They are slightly bitter but have a hearty and sweet aftertaste. Bitter bamboo shoots are used to create various delicious dishes such as stir-fried bamboo shoots, braised bamboo shoots, boiled bamboo shoots with mắc khén and hạt dổi, or bamboo shoot stir-fried with garlic.

Stone Snails: Stone snails are typically found in rocky crevices and are most abundant during the rainy season. The best way to prepare them is by steaming with fish sauce or lime, lemongrass, and chili. When you eat them, you'll taste their natural sweetness, chewiness, and rich flavor, combined with a flavorful dipping sauce made with garlic, chili, and other characteristic spices.

Bamboo Tube Rice: Bamboo tube rice is made by soaking rice and pouring it into bamboo tubes lined with banana leaves on the inside, adding water until it covers the rice, and sealing the tubes. Bamboo tube rice is roasted evenly to prevent burning, and when you peel off the black layer on the outside, you're left with rice wrapped in banana leaves. It's often enjoyed with grilled duck or grilled chicken, stir-fried bitter bamboo shoots, and can be a truly memorable meal in Pu Luong.

To get around Pu Luong, you have a few options:

Driving: You can drive your car if you have one. Make sure it's in good condition for the journey.

Motorbike Rental: Another popular option is to rent a motorbike. The rental cost is around 300,000 VND per day, and this usually includes fuel. It's a great way to explore the area at your own pace.

Complimentary Bicycles: If you're staying at Jungle Lodge, we offer complimentary bicycles for in-house guests. It's an eco-friendly and leisurely way to explore the surroundings.

Leave behind the hustle and bustle of daily life, take in the fresh, pure air, and rejuvenate your soul with the pristine energy of Pu Luong. Everything is ready to welcome you to Pu Luong Jungle Lodge.