Pu Luong – Mai Chau travel experience: A wonderful journey among wild nature

 Fall in love with Pu Luong – Hidden Corner of Nature Thanh Hoa, Vietnam

 Table of contents

1. 5 reasons young people should once Travel to Pu Luong – Mai Chau.

2. Information about Pu Luong – Mai Chau nature reserve

3. How to move to Pu Luong – Mai Chau?

4. 3 days 2 nights outing schedule in Pu Luong – Mai Chau.

5. How about the cost?

6. Notes to know when traveling here.

Wading through the stream at Pu Luong

1. 5 reasons young people should once travel to Pu Luong – Mai Chau

•  Unspoiled and beautiful nature: Pu Luong – Mai Chau is an unspoiled nature destination with green terraced rice fields and lush primeval forests.
• Challenge and adventure: With diverse trekking and hiking routes, Pu Luong – Mai Chau is full of challenges and adventures for young people.
• There are opportunities to meet and interact with the local community and learn about their unique culture, traditions, and way of life.
• Extremely low cost, homestay, and local life experience
• Pu Luong – Mai Chau is an ideal destination for youth to escape the noise and pressure of the city

2. Information about Pu Luong – Mai Chau nature reserve

The water wheel is a familiar image associated with the indigenous people in Pu Luong

Location: Pu Luong Nature Reserve was established in 1999, about 180km southwest of Hanoi. The North borders Hoa Binh, and the South borders Cuc Phuong National Park. It is included in both Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc districts of Thanh Hoa province.

A miniature Sapa with majestic mountains, a glimpse of Mu Cang Chai with beautiful, terraced fields, a Mai Chau valley with ethnic minority villages – A perfect combination of all the beauty of Northwest Vietnam in one location.

Geographical features: Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Mai Chau is famous for its diverse landscapes, including primeval forests, terraced rice fields, and waterfalls. This land has an altitude from 150m to 1,700m, creating a richness in topography and ecosystems.

Biodiversity: It is the habitat of many rare animals and plants, including endangered animals such as red bears and baboons. The reserve also plays an important role in protecting local birds.

Native culture: Home to many ethnic minorities, mainly Thai and Mong. Their traditional culture and way of life have been preserved and developed in this area. Visitors have the opportunity to meet and chat with local residents, participate in traditional activities and experience the diverse culture of the area.

Tourist activities: Attract visitors with stunning natural landscapes and unique cultural experiences. Visitors can participate in activities such as trekking, hiking, walking through the forest, visiting traditional villages, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the homestay. Tourism infrastructure is increasingly developing with homestays, hotels, and motels meeting the needs of visitors. Transportation services, such as bicycles, motorbikes, and cars, are also provided for easy exploration of the area.

3. How to move to Pu Luong – Mai Chau?

To get to Pu Luong – Mai Chau, I chose to travel by car from Hanoi and set off early in the morning. The journey through Highway 6 is a real adventure, with winding passes and beautiful natural scenery all around. However, there are many ways to get here, so there will be many transportation choices for you:

Option 1: Going by car is the most popular and convenient method. You can rent a private car or use a tourist car service from Hanoi. The usual way is to follow Highway 6 through Hoa Binh, then go through the passes to Mai Chau and Pu Luong.

Option 2: Can use the bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau. There are public buses or tour buses operating from central Hanoi. The bus ride from Hanoi to Mai Chau is about 3-4 hours. If traveling by bus from Hanoi, you can pick up the bus at Giap Bat, Nuoc Ngam, or My Dinh Wharf. The ticket price is about 150,000 VND/per person. The car will return to town, then you can take a taxi to move to Pu Luong about 20km.

Option 3: If you want adventure and freedom, you can rent or drive a motorbike yourself from Hanoi. This allows you to explore the landscape and stop at any point along the way. However, the road will be quite long and there are many steep passes that can be dangerous to you.

4. 3 days 2 nights outing schedule in Pu Luong – Mai Chau

I had a great experience when exploring the 3-day 2 nights trip in Pu Luong and Mai Chau. When I first arrived in Mai Chau, I was mesmerized by the wild beauty of the mountains and green terraced fields. The landscape here is really beautiful and gives a sense of peace. Here is my schedule, please refer to it.

Trekking to see the village.

DAY 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau Valley

7.00 – 8.00: Departure from Hanoi to Mai Chau Valley

10.00: Take a short break after a long trip.

11.30 – 12.30: Landscape photography shop Mai Chau Valley / to Mai Chau.

12.30: Traditional lunch at the restaurant (vegetarian dishes are available). Because I didn’t know which restaurant or resort to choose for myself, I chose a reputable place to reserve for my journey.

14.30: An exciting journey in the 3 days 2 nights tour in Pu Luong – Mai Chau is the experience of cycling through rice fields and enjoying special moments in the countryside. I Witness the farmers working hard in the fields, planting and harvesting rice.

Next, I get a chance to visit the beautiful traditional villages around in Mai Chau, walk in the small streets, see the traditional stilt houses, and observe the daily life of the locals. A special highlight is meeting and interacting with the people, who are very friendly and share unique stories about their culture and traditions.

During the journey, I had the opportunity to learn about the art of weaving typical Thai scarves. I witnessed the process of creating beautiful colorful and patterned fabrics. This was a fun experience, and I bought these crafts as a souvenir.

17.00: Free to explore by bicycle, walking, and shopping.

The afternoon at 17.00 is free time to be able to freely explore and experience according to personal liking. I choose to cycle to other destinations in the region, and enjoy the fresh air.

Stroll around the touristy area, exploring the side streets, cafes, specialty shops, and local art shops.

Enjoy shopping for local products and souvenirs. Local shops and markets offer a variety of unique crafts, from ao dai, bags, and jewelry to ceramics and specialty food products. This will give you the opportunity to give meaningful gifts to family and friends or bring back fond memories from your trip.

19.00: Have dinner, enjoy traditional dishes prepared in the local Thai style and watch classical Thai dance shows and drink can wine.

Pass the road from Mai Chau to Pu Luong

DAY 2: Mai Chau – Pu Luong Nature Reserve

7h30 – 8h30: Enjoy breakfast prepared by the restaurant.

8.30 – 10.30: I drive my own motorbike 35 km to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, on the way will stop to see the chopstick factory and sometimes take pictures. The long and far-pass road is suitable for those who love backpacking.

10.30 – 12.30: Arriving at Pu Luong nature reserve, you will rest for 10 minutes before starting to hike and discover the beauty of the mountains and beautiful rice terraces.

After resting, I restart your walking journey to discover the special landscape of mountains and beautiful rice terraces at Pu Luong. Along the way, admire the majestic scenery, rolling mountains, fresh streams, and verdant fields stretching below.

The walking journey in Pu Luong will bring me experience full of fun and unforgettable memories, explore caves, and waterfalls and enjoy the peaceful space of the mountains.

12.30 – 15.30: Enjoy lunch at the village and rest before starting the hike then drive back to Mai Chau.

19.00: Enjoy dinner and sleep comfortably to recharge for the next activity the next day.

Above is my experience when day 2 in Pu Luong, you can refer to Pu Luong travel here or all Pu Luong travel experiences to prepare for your experience journey!

DAY 3: Mai Chau – Explore more remote rural villages

7:30 am: Breakfast time.

8:30 am: We cycle for about 2km before starting the trip to visit more remote rural villages: Na Meo, Na Mo, and Xam Pa villages to see the rice terraces and understand more about their culture and customs. 

12h00: Back to the homestay, check out, and have lunch.

13.00: Free to shop, rest.

15.30: Get on the van/bus back to Hanoi.

19.30 – 20.00: Let’s go back to Hanoi and end an extremely comfortable trip after long tiring days.

End of trip 3 DAYS 2 NIGHT

5. How about the cost?

The cost for a 3-day 2-night trip in Pu Luong – Mai Chau can vary depending on many factors such as type of transportation, accommodation, activities and accompanying services. For me, traveling here is cheaper than other areas. I went for 3 days and 2 nights for only $185.00 with the resort, two-way shuttle bus from Hanoi, motorbike service at no extra cost, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and one additional cost involved. With such a cost, I find it very worthwhile for this trip. You can refer to the tour 3 days 2 nights Pu Luong – Mai Chau.

6. Notes to know when traveling here

When traveling in Pu Luong – Mai Chau on a 3 days 2 nights trip, here are some important notes for you to have a good experience.

Weather: Check the weather forecast before you go and dress appropriately. The region has a tropical climate, so temperatures and rainfall can vary. Please bring appropriate raincoats, coats, and shoes.

Destinations and schedules: Research destinations and schedules well before you go for a detailed plan. This helps you make the most of your time and not miss important activities.

Transportation – accommodation – food: Consider means of transportation in the area such as buses, bicycles, or motorbikes for flexible mobility. Make sure you have a basic knowledge of the terrain and how to travel safely. Book accommodation before you go to avoid not having suitable accommodation. There are many options such as motels, hotels, or homestays. Try traditional dishes and local specialties. However, make sure to eat only in hygienic and food-safe places.

Personal belongings: Please bring personal belongings.

• Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, drinking water, and necessary medicine.
• Bring a camera or cell phone to capture beautiful moments.
• It is recommended to bring walking, sports, or climbing shoes that are comfortable, well-absorbent, and comfortable.
• Bring extra clothes if you plan to swim at Ban Hieu waterfall.
• Bring spare gasoline and monitor the weather for a perfect Pu Luong trip.

Discover the wonderful natural beauty at Pu Luong – Mai Chau and experience a peaceful life amidst beautiful nature. Leave the pressures of everyday life behind and immerse yourself in green spaces, shady rice terraces, and traditional old villages. Hike through the forest trail, take in the stunning views, and relax in a peaceful setting. Vietnamdailytourist will help you have memorable memories like me.