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Pu Luong, Thanh Hoa: A Hidden Gem

If you’re looking to escape the city’s heat and stress without venturing too far, consider Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa Province. Here, you can immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of mountains and forests, enjoy fresh breezes, and take in the picturesque scenery. Located about 160 km southwest of Hanoi, Pu Luong is a popular weekend retreat, known for its lush rice fields, palm groves, traditional waterwheels, and cascading waterfalls.

When is the Best Time to Visit Pu Luong

The ideal time to visit Pu Luong is from late May to early June, when the young rice fields are lush and vibrant, offering a serene experience for both mind and soul. Even during the hot summer months, Pu Luong enjoys a comfortable climate due to its location in a low limestone mountain area, surrounded by tropical rainforests and a sparse population. September and October mark the harvest season, transforming the terraced fields into a stunning golden landscape that feels both opulent and dreamlike. However, any time of year is perfect for a visit, allowing you to relax and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

How to get to Pu Luong

The most common way to reach Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa is by motorbike or car, both of which can be easily rented in Hanoi. Alternatively, you can take a limousine from Giap Bat or My Dinh stations, with the journey taking approximately 4.5 hours. It’s highly recommended to stop in Ninh Binh or Mai Chau along the way to fully appreciate the stunning landscapes of Northern Vietnam.

Things to do in Pu Luong

Hiking

In Pu Luong, you’ll find picturesque country roads leading up to hilltops. Along the journey, you can explore quaint villages and stroll through local plantations. The panoramic views of the mountains and valleys are truly stunning. Early risers will be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise atop the hills, where they can witness the sun dispelling the thick mist enveloping the mountains—a breathtaking experience that makes the hike worthwhile.

Biking

In contrast to the busy streets of the city center, visitors to Pu Luong may spot a local on a motorbike now and then. Here, bicycles are the primary mode of transportation. Riding along the scenic roads of Pu Luong allows for fresh air and a sense of tranquility. Some mountain trails present a challenge for adventurous cyclists. Many homestays in Pu Luong offer free bicycle rentals to their guests.

Explore the ethnic villages within the Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve, one of Vietnam’s hidden gems for ecotourism and trekking, was established in 1999 to safeguard its rich biodiversity. Spanning over 17,600 hectares, this area boasts a stunning blend of untouched forests, terraced rice fields, and charming ethnic villages. It is home to the Thai and Muong communities, where visitors can admire traditional stilt houses, witness local harvests, and savor authentic regional cuisine. Notable attractions within the reserve include Pu Luong Peak, Don Village, and the villages of Son, Ba, and Muoi, each offering unique experiences for explorers.

Discover the Pho Doan market.

Visitors can explore Pho Doan Market to immerse themselves in the local culture of ethnic communities. Situated in Lung Niem Commune, Ba Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa Province, the market features vibrant trading activities where you can find local products from the Kinh, Muong, and Thai minorities, sourced from nearby areas like Tan Lac and Lac Son Districts in Hoa Binh Province. The offerings are simple yet diverse, including traditional silk garments, tube wine, mountain vegetables, and fresh fruits.

Take in the breathtaking views from the peak of Pu Luong Mountain.

Adventure seekers will delight in conquering the 1,700-meter peak. At the summit, clouds drift lazily among stilt houses and terraced fields below, creating a picturesque scene that feels almost dreamlike. Everything seems to pause—time stands still, leaving only the tranquil beauty of the landscape.

Discover the beauty of Hieu Waterfall.

Hieu Waterfall, located in Hieu Village within Co Long Commune, is a charming community-based ecotourism spot. This picturesque waterfall features five smaller cascades, with crystal-clear blue-green waters that can be enjoyed throughout the year, making it a lovely place for occasional swimming.

In addition to the waterfall, you’ll find bamboo water wheels scattered throughout Pu Luong. These iconic structures are emblematic of the region and its Thai ethnic community. They play a vital role in agriculture by drawing water from nearby streams and rivers to irrigate the lush terraced rice fields that surround the area.

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Quang Binh Province: The land of 500 caves

With the recent discovery of 22 more caves, the central province of Quang Binh, renowned as Vietnam’s cave kingdom, now boasts over 500 caves, with about 40 open for tourism.

On April 14, Pham Hong Thai, Director of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, announced that an expedition team had discovered 22 caves in Minh Hoa and Tuyen Hoa districts during a recent survey, and an additional three caves the Va, Doi Trieng 2, and Tien cave system, combining for a total length of 3,550 meters. With a plethora of caves, both large and small, already accessible for tourism, Quang Binh has earned its title as the kingdom of caves.

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Phong Nha Cave

Phong Nha Cave stands as one of Quang Binh’s most sought-after destinations for tourists. Nestled within Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, it is located in Son Trach Commune, Bo Trach District, approximately 45 kilometers from Dong Hoi City.

Having been explored numerous times since the early 20th century, Phong Nha Cave garnered recognition in 1994 when a report on a geomorphological survey of Vietnam by a renowned British exploration group hailed it as “one of the two most beautiful water caves in the world.” Serving as the flagship attraction within Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, it was among the first sites opened for tourism in the area.

To embark on an exploration of Phong Nha Cave, visitors purchase tickets from the Phong Nha Tourism Center, then board a boat journey along the Son River, enjoying a 30 minute journey before entering the cave. Inside, visitors are greeted by stalactites and other natural wonders.

Paradise Cave

Paradise Cave, situated in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, lies 60 kilometers northwest of Quang Binh’s capital city Dong Hoi. Discovered in 2005, Paradise is a dry cave, distinct from Phong Nha Cave as it lacks an underground river. Its terrain mostly consists of soft and flat ground, and the cave’s temperature remains consistently around 10 degrees Celsius cooler than outside.

To reach Thien Duong Cave, visitors depart from the west branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway, traveling approximately 5 kilometers before ascending over 520 steps to access the cave entrance. The cave path extends for 1.1 kilometers.

Son Doong Cave

Son Doong Cave holds the distinction of being the largest cave in the world. Discovered by Ho Khanh, a native of Phong Nha, in 1990, it underwent survey and measurement by an English-Vietnamese cave exploration group in 2009. Subsequently, in 2013, Son Doong earned recognition from the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest natural cave.

With a total length of nearly 9 kilometers and a vast cave arch, Son Doong Cave boasts a volume of 38.5 million cubic meters. Within its chambers, visitors encounter towering stalactites, some exceeding 80 meters in height, alongside a primeval forest, unique ecosystem, and an underground river.

Offered as an adventure tourism experience, Son Doong cave exploration tours span 6 days and 5 nights, with bookings available since 2013. Demand for these tours remains consistently high, often fully booked a year in advance. This photo captures the Dinosaur Echo at Sinkhole 1 within Son Doong Cave.

Tu Lan cave system

The Tu Lan cave system is nestled within the primeval forest and limestone mountains spanning over 650 hectares in Tan Hoa Commune, Minh Hoa District. The cave system is connected to eight different valleys and mountain ranges via underground rivers and cave passages, which are all outside of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

Comprising 20 caves, this system was explored in 1992 by a joint Vietnamese and English cave exploration team. Subsequent extensive surveys were conducted from 2010 onwards.

The above photograph showcases the stalactite columns found within Tu Lan Cave.

Ba Cave

Situated within the heart of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, the Ba Cave area lies within the park’s strictly protected zone. This expanse is adorned with ancient forests featuring millennia-old trees, providing habitat for rare animal species.

Among the features of this area are several large caves, each adorned with diverse stalactite formations. These caves were discovered and mapped by a joint British-Vietnamese cave exploration team in 1992 and 1994.

Scheduled for development into an adventure tourism destination in 2022, this area offers exhilarating experiences for adventurers.

This image captures the Sang Cave campsite during the Ba Cave deep jungle expedition.

Va Cave

Va Cave, situated within the core area of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, and it is situated around 4 kilometers away from the west branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

Known as an underground water cave, Va Cave has a stalagmite system featuring around 1,000 conical-shaped stalactites of uniform size. These formations have developed within sedimentation lakes, with stalagmite towers characterized by steep slopes, reaching heights of up to 2 meters. These columns are covered in a layer of soft mud.

En Cave

En Cave, one of the largest natural caves globally, is nestled deep within the core area of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. To embark on an exploration of En Cave, adventurers must traverse through Doong Village, home to the Bru – Van Kieu ethnic communities.

Spanning more than 1.6 kilometers, the cave runs through a mountain range, boasting three entrances. Among these, the largest and most renowned entrance stands at an impressive height of 120 meters and width of 110 meters.

Moreover, the cave ceiling reaches heights of up to 145 meters in certain areas, while the cave corridor stretches to a width of 200 meters at its broadest point. Inside the cave, visitors encounter a stream leading towards Son Doong Cave.

This image showcases the back entrance of En Cave, soaring to a height of 120 meters.

The Tiger Cave System

The Tiger Cave system lies within Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, spanning the Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts. This complex comprises three significant interconnected caves: Tiger, Over, and Pygmy caves. Within the Tiger Cave System, visitors also encounter Kong Sinkhole, one of the tallest sinkholes globally, boasting a height of 450 meters.

Stretching approximately 1,600 meters in length and descending to a depth of 46 meters, the system features a cave entrance approximately 50 meters wide. Located around 10 kilometers from Dong Hoi City, tourists typically access the cave by traveling along the Ho Chi Minh Road to DT20 Road, where they then turn left and continue for about 3.5 kilometers to reach the cave entrance.

This photograph shows a night camp in the heart of Tiger Cave.

Hung Thoong Cave System

The Hung Thoong Cave System comprises several caves, including Tron, Hung, and Thung, each named after its discoverer. This system is notable for its Nightmare Sinkhole, plunging to a depth of 250 meters, and a natural lake amidst limestone mountains.

Hung Cave has an exceptional stalactite system where crystal-like formations hang from the cave’s ceiling, appearing hollow inside. These stalactites release droplets of water at their tips, resembling pearls. Additionally, Hung Cave is adorned with cave pearls of different sizes, resembling eggs. Further exploration of the cave leads to the discovery of a clear underground lake.

Tron cave features a blue lake stretching over 1 kilometer in length, offering visitors the opportunity to swim or enjoy some stand-up paddleboarding.

Resource: VNExpress International.