Pu Luong Nature Reserve: Where To Stay

the road to Pu Luong overlooking Tien Son

Table of Contents

Pu Luong Nature Reserve

140kms from the center of Hanoi you will find one of Northern Vietnam’s hidden gems, Pu Luong Nature Reserve. This vast and diverse nature reserve serves as an ideal rural escape for anyone looking for a tranquil experience.

Whether you’re planning an active week of activities or a few days of sweet nothing, Pu Luong has it all. The reserves of diverse scenery have an equally diverse culture. And as a result, there are various different options in terms of accommodation. In this post, we will explore the different types of accommodation available in Pu Luong and our top 5 places to stay. Taking cost, experience, and location into consideration.

Route Map

The first thing you really need to know is how to get to Pu Luong. Here we show you the two main routes. You can find more information as well as routes on our Mai Chau Blog.

The route in Black is the faster route but is a little more boring as it follows the highway for more than half of the distance. However, you will make good time and it is a great option if you are prone to leaving later in the day. 

The Red route is a little trickier to follow and runs on smaller roads but it is more interesting, especially the section on the ATK road. You do, however, miss out on the Hoa Binh Dam which can be an interesting stop. 

the huge Russian dam in Hoa Binh City
the huge Russian dam in Hoa Binh City

An Authentic Experience

Locals in Pu Luong are the majority part of the White Thai ethnic minority. As a culture they are particularly welcoming and hospitable, greeting tourists with open arms. In recent years Pu Luong has grown as a tourist destination in the north, giving locals an opportunity to turn their authentic homes into homestays. Therefore allowing tourists to truly experience life as a local.

Authentic homes in Pu Luong are built from basic wooden structures and sit above the ground on stilts. Due to this the living area is raised above the effects of flooding and unwanted creatures. Homestays come equipped with a welcoming family, bed, bathroom, food and flowing rice wine. Staying in a homestay allows travelers to give something back to the local communities whilst gaining an authentic Vietnamese experience. If you’re planning on spending time hiking and exploring the outdoors, a homestay may be the best option for you.

a traditional stilt house in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
a traditional stilt house in Pu Luong Nature Reserve

1. Pu Luong Homestay $

Address: Bản Hiêu, Cổ Lũng, Bá Thước, Thanh Hoá

Contact: 0389 506 696

Located a short distance from the village of Thac Hieu you’ll find this traditional homestay. Sitting on the valley floor this family home provides travelers a place to rest their weary heads. Run by a local family, those who stay there are able to experience life as part of a local family. Food can be prepared for each meal of the day and will often be served with the family themselves.

Access to a bed, mosquito net, and clean shower are provided for all customers. An authentic experience not to be missed!

2. Mr Ba’s Homestay $

Address: Cổ Lũng, Bá Thước District, Thanh Hoa, Vietnam

Contact: +84 379 781 988

Yet another fantastic family run homestay in near the small village of Thac Hieu. Offering a similar experience to Pu Luong homestay, travelers are given the opportunity to sleep, eat and live like a local. You can read more about the village of Thac Hieu and what you can expect from the area in our post about Pu Luong as a destination in the North.

3. Pu Luong Holiday $

Address: Lac Village, Bá Thước District, Thanh Hoa

Contact: 097 863 55 51

These purposes made wooden bungalows lean very slightly more toward a luxury experience. All are equipped with their own bathrooms and two beds. The accommodation itself is managed by a local family who lives next door in their own traditional stilt house. Breakfast and dinner are served daily for all residents to enjoy together with the family.

The bungalows look out over the valley floor and raised hammocks swing off the ground, offering the perfect place to relax!

Located in Lac Village and walking distance from Thac Hieu, this accommodation is ideal for those wanting to explore the area by bike or on foot.

A Luxury Experience

Although Pu Luong Nature Reserve is associated with a rural and outdoorsy experience, it also has a few high-end resorts to choose from. As a regular holiday destination for city dwellers from Hanoi, there is a demand for a more luxurious style of accommodation. The popular village of ‘Ban Kho Muong’ is home to a few of these. Located off the QL15 (highway), this village is easily accessible for all, therefore making it an attractive destination in Pu Luong. Homestays and resorts are dotted amongst the vast rice paddies in this area.

Popular with families and large groups, this scenic part of the nature reserve offers various different activities. Such as kayaking, hiking, swimming, and cycling.

local men playing cards in Pu Luong
local men playing cards in Pu Luong

4. Pu Luong Retreat $$

Address: Thành Lâm, Bá Thước District, Thanh Hoa

Contact: 024 3823 9988

Wooden bungalows on stilts scatter the hillside at this luxury retreat. Those who stay here have access to their own private rooms with balconies that overlook rolling rice paddies. Nestled within this retreat is a pool that looks out over a breathtaking mountain view, making it the ideal place to sit with a book and soak in the surrounding nature.

Staff at the retreat speak good English, are attentive and will make your stay here memorable. The restaurant serves local and western food at every mealtime, ensuring you’ll never go hungry. This truly is a luxurious and remote place to stay hidden within some of Pu Luong’s most dramatic scenery.

5. Pu Luong Treehouse $$

Address: Don village, Thanh Lam, Ba Thuoc, Thanh Hoa, Thanh Hoá

Contact: 096 696 38 51

Perched on top of rice terraces, this accommodation is an ideal place to stay for those wanting to relax and explore the nature reserve. The houses on stilts (treehouses) have private and mixed dormitory rooms equipped with comfortable beds and mosquito nets. Most rooms have balconies that look out over the valley.

Decorated in a shabby chic style, this accommodation has hammocks, outdoor sofas, and seat swings ideal for socializing. Hidden away within a peaceful surroundings, guests will enjoy a tranquil place to relax between outdoor excursions.

the road to Pu Luong overlooking Tien Son
the road to Pu Luong overlooking Tien Son
BMW 1250 GS

Engine Type

air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine

Displacement

1255 cc

Bore X Stroke

102.5 mm x 76 mm

Ignition

FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

12.5:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm

Rear Suspension

single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever

Front Brakes

dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers

Rear Brakes

single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper

Front Tyres

120/70 R19

Rear Tyres

170/60 R17

Wheelbase

1514 mm

Seat Height

850 mm

Ground Clearance

790 mm

Kerb Weight

249 kg

Fuel Capacity

20 litres

Dimensions

2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)

Honda XR 150 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

air cooled, OHC, single cylinder

Displacement

149 cc

Bore X Stroke

57.3 mm x 57.8 mm

Ignition

CDI

Fuel System

20 mm piston valve carburettor

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric with kick starter backup

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel

Rear Suspension

single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel

Front Brakes

dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc

Rear Brakes

mechanical drum

Front Tyres

90/90 19

Rear Tyres

110/90 17

Wheelbase

1362 mm

Seat Height

825 mm

Ground Clearance

243 mm

Kerb Weight

129 kg

Fuel Capacity

12 litres

Dimensions

2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)

Honda CB 500X motorcycle rental

Engine Type

liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke

Displacement

470 cc

Bore X Stroke

67 mm x 66.8 mm

Ignition

PGMI – FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS

Rear Brakes

240 mm disc; ABS

Front Tyres

110/80R19M/C (59H)

Rear Tyres

160/60R17M/C

Wheelbase

1445 mm

Seat Height

830 mm

Ground Clearance

180 mm

Kerb Weight

199 kg

Fuel Capacity

17.7 litres

Dimensions

2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)

Honda CRF 300 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled

Displacement

286 cc

Bore X Stroke

76 mm x 63 mm

Ignition

Full Transistor Digital

Fuel System

PGM-FI electronic fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

43 mm telescopic upside down

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

256 mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Rear Brakes

220 mm disc, single piston caliper

Front Tyres

80/100 21

Rear Tyres

120/80 18

Wheelbase

1455 mm

Seat Height

880 mm

Ground Clearance

285 mm

Kerb Weight

142 kg

Fuel Capacity

7.8 litres

Dimensions

2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)