Buzz
When people think of Thanh Hóa, they often envision the beaches of Sầm Sơn or the historic sites like Thành nhà Hồ. However, nestled on the border with Laos lies a picturesque destination called Pù Luông. Its raw and mystical beauty is often likened to a paradise amidst the mountains.
Detailed Review of Self-Guided 2-Day Trip to Pù Luông
Pre-Trip Information:
Getting to Pù Luông:
Starting my journey from Hải Phòng, I opted for a similar flight route. Since there are no direct buses from Hải Phòng to Pù Luông, I had to go to Hà Nội first and then proceed to Pù Luông from there.
Option 1: Booking Hoàng Phương Sleeper Bus (Hanoi – Bá Thước). Phone number for booking: 0973737778.
– Departure: Giáp Bát (8:00, 11:30, 14:00) or Nước Ngầm (8:30, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00). Ticket price: 120k/person (Approx. 4 – 5 hours). Drop-off only at Nành Canh Town. You'll need to take a motorcycle taxi or taxi to get into Pù Luông (200k).
Option 2: Booking a Drop-off Service to Pù Luông:
– Phone number for booking: 0987129129. Pick-up at: 76 Ngô Quyền (Hoàn Kiếm) at 7:15 AM. Ticket price: 200k – 250k/person (Approx. 5 hours).
Transportation within Pù Luông:
– For nearby destinations, walking is a convenient option for sightseeing.
– For distant destinations, consider renting a motorbike or hiring a motorcycle taxi (with a guide).
– Additionally, the roads in Pù Luông are winding and some parts are still unpaved, so you'll need strong driving skills to handle a motorbike.
– We opted for hiring a motorcycle taxi with a dedicated driver (For remote destinations – Phone number: 0977596869) for safety reasons.
Accommodation:
– In Pù Luông, there are numerous charming homestays and resorts with stunning terraced rice field views. However, our choice for experiencing the essence of Pù Luông is Pù Luông Retreat, the pioneering resort that put Pù Luông on the map.
– Situated in Bản Đôn (This area tends to be warmer than others, leading to an earlier rice harvest). The rooms are beautifully appointed, environmentally friendly, and offer privacy. Each room boasts a balcony overlooking the terraced fields and valley. The suite rooms even feature an outdoor bathtub.
– Room rates: Suite Room for 2 people, featuring a sky-view bathtub (2,600k discounted to 1,780k/night – Weekend rate)
Best Time to Visit Pù Luông
Pù Luông offers unique experiences throughout the year. However, late May (20/5) to early June (15/6) and late September to early October are considered the ideal times to visit Pù Luông. During these periods, the terraced rice fields are a captivating golden hue.
Notes:
– As mentioned earlier, Bản Đôn is quite renowned. When people think of Pù Luông, they immediately think of Bản Đôn. However, Bản Đôn tends to be the warmest area in Pù Luông, leading to an early rice harvest. If you're planning to rent a room and admire the rice fields here, it's best to visit towards the end of May. If you come in early June, the rice in Bản Đôn will have been harvested, but other areas will still offer beautiful rice fields.
Dining:
– Grilled bamboo rice, Cổ Lũng roasted duck, bitter bamboo shoots, wild banana flower salad, grilled mountain fish, bitter soup, mountain snails. If you want to eat, it's best to order in advance. There are limited dining options here. Mostly, you'll dine at the resort. I had all three meals at Pù Luông Retreat. Average cost: 250k – 270k/person.
DETAILED ITINERARY FOR 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT IN PÙ LUÔNG:
Day 1: TRANSFER (Hải Phòng – Hà Nội – Pù Luông), VISIT BẢN ĐÔN, BẢN BÁNG
TRANSFER (Hải Phòng – Hà Nội – Pù Luông)
– Hải Phòng – Hà Nội: Hai Âu Bus from Vĩnh Niệm Port to Gia Lâm (5:30 – 7:00). Ticket price: 100k/person. Once you arrive at Gia Lâm, catch a taxi to 76 Ngô Quyền Street.
– Hà Nội – Pù Luông: Eco Garden's bus (7:15 – 13:00). Ticket price: 200k – 250k/one way.
EXPLORE BẢN ĐÔN
– Bản Đôn is predominantly inhabited by the Thai ethnic group, offering tranquil surroundings and pristine natural landscapes. It boasts numerous homestays and resorts.
– Bản Đôn stands out as the most renowned among the villages in Pù Luông.
EXPLORE BẢN BÁNG
– Situated adjacent to Bản Đôn, it offers stunning views of terraced rice fields that are truly captivating. You'll often encounter artists spending entire days here, painting the picturesque scenery of the terraced fields.
Day 2: PÙ LUÔNG RETREAT (Witness Sunrise – Cloud Hunting), THON PA BAN COMMUNITY AREA (Cloud Hunting), WATER WHEEL (Chàm Stream), BẢN KHO MƯỜNG, BAT CAVE (Bản Kho Mường), RETURN TRANSFER (Pù Luông – Hà Nội – Hải Phòng)
PÙ LUÔNG RETREAT (Sunrise Watching – Cloud Hunting)
– Wake up early at 5 AM to enjoy the sunrise and hunt for clouds at Pù Luông Retreat's infinity pool. Cloud hunting isn't guaranteed, but if it rained the previous day and the weather forecast indicates clear skies, chances are high for cloud sightings.
THON PA BAN COMMUNITY AREA (Cloud Hunting)
– If you can't find clouds at Bản Đôn, don't worry, head straight to Pả Ban. To catch clouds, be here around 7 AM. You'll witness clouds drifting above the terraced rice fields.
WATER WHEEL (Chàm Stream)
– An integral part of Pù Luông's charm is the water wheels, also known as water mills, crafted by the hands of the Thai and Mường ethnic minorities.
BÀN KHO MƯỜNG
– Kho Mường is a valley nestled deep within the core area of the Pù Luông Nature Reserve, relatively untouched by human influence, thus maintaining its rugged and romantic charm. However, the path to get there is rocky and steep.
BAT CAVE (Bản Kho Mường)
– This is one of the attractive caves within the cluster of caves discovered in the Pù Luông Nature Reserve, featuring limestone formations formed around 250 million years ago.
RETURN TRANSFER (Pù Luông – Hà Nội – Hải Phòng)
– Pù Luông – Hà Nội:
+ Eco Garden's bus (13:30 – 18:30). Ticket price: 200k – 250k/person. Drop-off at 76 Ngô Quyền.
– Hà Nội – Hải Phòng: Hai Âu Bus from Gia Lâm Port to Vĩnh Niệm Port (19:00 – 20:30). Ticket price: 100k/person.
– In summary, amidst the sweltering summer weather, if you're seeking a place to admire ripe rice fields and catch the ethereal morning clouds, give Pù Luông tourism a try.
By Hiếu Thiên
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Reference: Mytour travel guide
MytourJune 17, 2021
