Guide to Pu Luong’s Villages: Best Area to Stay and Visit

Plan Your Trip to Pu Luong

Are you planning your Pu Luong trip last minute and don’t have time to read the whole article? We’ve got you covered! Here are the top rated accommodations you can book right away. 

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1. Tai Dam Homestay (Budget)

2. Pu Luong Natura (Mid-range)

3. Pu Luong Eco Garden (High-end)

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Here are the best tours you can book that will let you fully experience Pu Luong! 

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1. One Day Trekking with a Local (Excellent Value)

2. Pu Luong and Mai Chau - 2 or 3 Days Tour (#1 Best Seller) 

3. Pu Luong and Ninh Binh - 3 or 4 Days Tour (Highly Rated)

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Want a hassle-free transfer from Hanoi? Book this comfortable van to Pu Luong that will take you to your accommodation in no time. 

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Overview of Pu Luong Nature Reserve

The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is approximately four hours' drive away from Hanoi. Also known as ‘little Sapa,' Pu Luong boasts amazing views of rice fields, local villages, and trekking opportunities. 

However, because it is not as popular or developed as Sapa, you can still expect some authentic homestays to immerse yourself in the local culture. In addition, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is quiet and does not attract many foreign visitors—at least not yet! 

So, what are you waiting for? Visit Pu Luong to experience its irresistible charm!

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Pu Luong Map

Here is a map of Pu Luong Nature Reserve to help you navigate the villages better. We’ve marked the best places to stay and visit. 

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Where to Stay in Pu Luong

One of the main features of Pu Luong Nature Reserve is that there are many small villages dotted around. Within these small villages, there are also plenty of accommodations to choose from that fits every traveler's needs. From basic accommodation to luxurious bungalows, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. 

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Among the many villages in Pu Luong, there are three areas that are concentrated with homestays and are developed for tourism. These are the Hieu village, Don village, and along the main road (QL15C). 

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Hieu Village

The Hieu village is known for the Hieu waterfall, one of the best places to visit in Pu Luong, and has two main areas. 

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One area is right next to the waterfalls and the road leading up to the village is narrow and unpaved and can only be reached on foot or by motorbike. 

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Tip: There are motorbike taxis you can hire waiting next to the car park. You’ll also find some snack stores by the entrance. 

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There are a few nearby homestays and restaurants in this village, but we discovered that the area is frequently visited by locals and tourists, and it can be quite busy but not too crowded. It's a great place to stay if you want to be close to the waterfalls for daily swimming, especially during the hot summer months!

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The other area of Hieu village is on a mountain with a small collection of stilt houses surrounded by terraced rice fields. To reach this part of the village, you’ll have to drive up a steep and winding road up the mountain for about 10 minutes.

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We stayed here during our visit and found that it is the most quiet and peaceful village in Pu Luong and is the best place to stay in Hieu village. If you rent a motorbike, you can easily go around the area and even hike down to reach the Hieu waterfalls.

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We highly recommend staying at Tai Dam Homestay! Its location, which overlooks rice terraces and is very peaceful, cannot be beat. The family hosts are extremely friendly, and despite the language barrier, we never had any communication issues. We stayed for four days and spent the majority of our time exploring the area and relaxing at the homestay when it got too hot. 

You can order all of your meals from the homestay and enjoy farm-to-table local cuisine. They accommodated our dietary restrictions, and the food was plentiful and delicious. We cannot recommend them highly enough! 

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Here are the most highly rated homestays in Hieu village. 

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Budget

Tai Dam Homestay

Budget

Duy Phuong Homestay

Don Village

The Don village is the most developed village in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. You will find numerous homestays and bungalows that are scattered at the foothills surrounded by rice fields. There is also a good selection of restaurants nearby. 

Each homestay has breathtaking views of rice terraces and mountains! This village also has more modern homestays with infinity pools, which are ideal for the summer months. 

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We didn't stay in this village, but we found that the Culture Pu Luong restaurant had one of the best viewpoints in Pu Luong. Stop for drinks near sunset and drive around the paved road in between rice fields for an unforgettable experience. 

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Here are the most highly rated accommodations you can book in Don Village. 

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Mid-Range

Pu Luong Natura

Mid-Range

Pu Luong Boutique Garden

Main Road - QL15C

You will find many homestays and restaurants scattered along the main road in Pu Luong (QL15C), just before the road to Kho Muong and Don village. It is a convenient area to stay because it has direct access to the main road, which will take you to the majority of the attractions in Pu Luong. 

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However, it can be quite busy with cars passing by during the day, but because the majority of the homestays are located on the mountain road, you can guarantee amazing views of the mountains and rice fields below.

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Here are the most highly rated accommodations to stay by the main road in Pu Luong. 

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Mid-Range

Pu Luong Jungle Lodge

High-End

Pu Luong Eco Garden

Pu Luong Villages to Visit

We drove around the villages of Pu Luong and discovered some of the most beautiful views and scenic roads in the area during our visit. Here are the best villages to visit in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve!

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Kho Muong Village

The Kho Muong village is located at the foot of the tall mountains of Pu Luong and between expansive rice fields. One of the main attractions in the village is the Doi Cave, also known as Bat Cave. 

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Getting to Kho Muong village is an adventure on its own! The road to the village winds through steep and narrow mountain roads accessible only by foot or motorbike. If you’re taking a car, you’ll have to park at the top before the arch entrance and take a motorbike taxi from there. 

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The village has a few traditional homestays, but the majority are residents of the White Thai ethnic minority. You can find some restaurants for lunch at the village after visiting the cave. 

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If you want to stay at a local homestay, book Mr. Nam’s homestay (+84367884515) or just show up. 

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Ui Village

Ui village is home to one of our favorite valleys in Pu Luong. The village is nestled in the middle of a valley, with views of the mountains and lush rice terrace fields. 

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To get to the village, you'll have to drive down a narrow road between rice fields, with a small karst mountain prominently positioned in the middle, adding to the picturesque setting. 

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Tip: The mountain road connecting Don and Ui villages is steep and winding, so drive carefully and avoid driving at night.

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Lan Village

The beautiful countryside of Lan village is located right next to Ui village. What makes it so scenic are the vast rice fields and purple wildflowers that line the road leading to the village. 

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It was harvest season during our visit, and the entire village was packed with locals working in the fields early in the morning. It was such a delight to drive around and interact with the locals in the fields. 

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Pho Doan Village

Pho Doan is the locals' main area in Pu Luong, with rows of restaurants, cafes, and local stores. The Doan Market, which is only open on Thursdays and Sundays, is worth a visit. So, if you're in the area on these two days, a visit to the market is a must. 

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Locals gather in the market to buy and sell fresh produce, animals, handmade products, and many more! To see the market at its busiest, we recommend visiting before 8am.  

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Lang Long Village

Right next to Pho Doan, you will drive by Lang Long, which is another small village surrounded by expansive rice fields. Our favorite in this area is a small road winding through rice fields that heads to a preschool. In the morning, you may see some locals driving with their kids on their way to school. 

If you visit during harvest season, you will see many locals working in these fields in the morning. 

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Lac Village

Right before you enter Hieu village is Lac village. Apart from the beautiful rice terrace fields, what makes Lac village unique are the white butterflies that flutter around in the morning. 

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A common sight you can find is locals with nets catching these butterflies. We were told that they catch it for food and fry it with some local vegetables. 

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Pu Luong FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Read our comprehensive guide to visiting Pu Luong complete with everything you need to know to help you plan your trip. 

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How to Reach Pu Luong From Hanoi

The best way to get from Hanoi to Pu Luong is to book a van. There are daily departures from the old quarter, comfortable seats and affordable prices. Book your van to Pu Luong here!

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Best Time to Visit Pu Luong 

For the best weather conditions, the best time to visit Pu Luong is from March to May or September to November.  

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How Long Should You Visit

Pu Luong is a great place to relax and enjoy some trekking. So the more time you have, the better. However, we recommend staying in Pu Luong for at least two full days.

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How to Get Around

Renting a motorbike is the most convenient way to get around. The distances between the villages are significant, and driving around will allow you to see and experience more of Pu Luong.

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Rent your motorbike with Rentabike here!

And that’s the most comprehensive guide you’ll read about the villages in Pu Luong! 

We hope this article has helped you choose the most suitable area to stay and visit in Pu Luong. We're confident that with this guide in hand, you'll see the best of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Read our ultimate guide to Pu Luong to further plan your trip. 

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Let us know in the comments below if we’ve missed anything.