Buzz
Escape to Pù Luông (Thanh Hóa) with sports editor Quynh Chi on weekends for a refreshing pool dip and to admire the majestic mountain scenery.
Quynh Chi Reveals a Fantastic Weekend Travel Destination in the Mountains
Travel Tips from BTV Quynh Chi
The spark for my desire to visit Pù Luông ignited when I glimpsed the magical pool through your introduction. The sparkling pool sits amidst a valley surrounded by lush hills, nestled among terraced rice fields that flow elegantly like a painting.
Getting to Pù Luông is Easy with 2 Options:
First option is to use Google Maps and search for Pù Luông, Thanh Hoá, then follow the Hồ Chí Minh road. On both sides, you'll enjoy picturesque landscapes with moonlit skies, lush forests, and winding roads. To reach Pù Luông, you'll travel about 20 km of mountainous terrain. After the pass, at the Lũng Cao junction, turn left towards Tôm village (7 km), then at the Tôm village junction, turn right and travel approximately 8.5 km to Pù Luông Retreat in Đôn hamlet, Thành Lâm commune.
Second option, shorter but more adventurous, is for those who love experiences. Take the road through Lũng Vân (Tân Lạc district), passing through the highest areas of Hòa Bình and Bá Thước. This is the shortest route, offering breathtaking scenery. You'll admire majestic mountain passes, have panoramic views of Pù Luông valley, pass through small villages with traditional thatched-roof houses, observe farmers cultivating corn and rice fields, and see children playing joyfully in the pristine nature.
And of course, we chose the second option!
Our journey began at 1:00 PM, taking Thăng Long avenue towards Hòa Bình – Mường Khến intersection (Mãn Đức), then continuing towards Sơn La for another 5 km until reaching Chợ Lồ intersection, where we turned left and inquired about the way to Lũng Vân. We then traversed approximately 15 km of mountain passes.
Upon reaching Lũng Vân, we turned left towards Nam Sơn (an additional 3 km), then asked for directions to Bản Son or Pù Luông, approximately 20 km through valleys and old forests. There's a challenging section of about 3 – 5 km, with steep slopes and rocky paths. Although the driver needed to stay focused, passengers enjoyed the scenic views. Each turn revealed a picturesque scene with serene tranquility, optimism, and wonder.
After descending from the pass, at the Lũng Cao junction, turn left towards Tôm village (7 km). At the Tôm village junction, turn right and travel approximately 8.5 km to reach the resort.
Important Note:
It is advisable to keep Google Maps on throughout the journey as there are many intersections where it's easy to get lost. The road from Chợ Lồ junction to the resort can be challenging to find, so it's best to ask locals for directions. There are plenty of locals around, so don't worry about feeling lost.
During the journey, if you're a photography enthusiast, always be ready to capture the breathtaking moments. You'll constantly be amazed throughout the trip. We stopped several times to ask for directions and take photos, so it took us a little over 5 hours to reach our destination.
Pù Luông Retreat sits atop a hill covering about 8,000 m². This land has been passed down through generations of two families. The swimming pool here used to be a fish pond. Now, it's redesigned for relaxation. One remarkable feature is that the water is pumped into the pool from an underground source without the use of chlorine, making it fresh and gentle on the skin. Every few days, the staff drains and cleans the water, ensuring cleanliness and peace of mind.
This area has only about 8 bungalows facing the valley and 2 communal houses with multiple mattresses for group travelers. The concept is a hidden resort, completely nature-friendly. Therefore, all rooms here are without air conditioning, refrigerators, or landline phones... However, the bathrooms are clean and equipped with all necessary amenities.
The price for a bungalow is approximately 1,400,000 VND.
Food options here are limited due to remote transportation. You can enjoy 3 set menu meals per day, with complimentary breakfast. Lunch and dinner are priced at 200,000 VND per person per meal.
Phone signal and Wi-Fi are readily available. The 3G signal might be slightly weak.
In a place abundant with greenery and fields, insects and mosquitoes are inevitable. However, rest assured, there aren't many here as it's relatively clean. Just be cautious and carry insect repellent spray.
As for the scenery, everyone may have a different perception. For me, this is undeniably a peaceful place to unwind.
According to Ngôi Sao
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourAugust 16, 2016
