Pu Luong homestays & hotels: Advice from local tour guide
If you’ve ever wanted to see Vietnam’s rice terraces without going all the way to Sapa or Mu Cang Chai, Pu Luong is the place I always tell my travelers about. I’m a Northern Vietnam local guide, and after years of leading tours through these mountains, this valley still takes my breath away every single time.
Based on my experiences, where you stay here truly matters since it will shape how easily you can move around Pu Luong and how much time you spend on the road each day. In this guide, I’ll share my honest notes on where to stay in Pu Luong: what to know before booking, and my favorite places that best capture the spirit of this peaceful nature reserve.
Written by Oliver PHUNG (Tour Guide)
Updated on Nov 17, 2025
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Oliver Phung is a cultural tourism specialist, trekking guide, and amateur photographer based in Northern Vietnam, with over seven years of hands-on experience. He has led countless travelers across routes from the Northwest (Moc Chau, Sapa, and more.) to the Northeast (Cao Bang, Ha Giang, etc.) and frequently shares his insights on Reddit’s travel communities.
Drawing from his fieldwork on hundreds of tours, Oliver offers an authentic, in-depth perspective on Vietnam’s mountain cultures.
It is known for rice terraces, waterfalls, ethnic Thai & Muong villages, and quiet mountain scenery.
Pu Luong is huge, over 17,000 hectares, so choosing where you want to stay is the first thing you should think about.
On the map everything looks close, but when you actually drive in the mountains, even 8 to 25 km can turn into steep curves and almost an hour on the road.
I always come back to Pu Luong whenever I get the chance.
The season you visit also matters a lot. You can travel to Pu Luong any time of the year, but as someone who has guided travelers here for many years, I personally find March to September the most beautiful. Spring, from March to May, is my favourite. You get warm sunshine, fresh colours, clear views and fewer crowds.
Pouring season in Pu Luong has its own beauty
In summer, from June to August, the scenery looks incredible and everything is bright green, but it can feel hot and humid. Autumn, from October to November, is cooler, although after the harvest some fields are burned and the valley can be smoky.
Winter, from December to February, is quiet and misty, sometimes chilly, and the fields are often empty.
No matter when you come, you should be ready for real mountain conditions. You can reach most areas by car, but the last sections of the road can be narrow or bumpy, especially after rain.
You can reach most areas by car, but some areas can be narrow or bumpy, especially after rain.
My notes as a Pu Luong guide:
Power cuts can happen, Wi-Fi might not be stable and you will not find many ATMs, so it is safer to carry some cash. Bring a light jacket for the cold evenings and make sure you have good shoes for walking on the trails.
My two cents on where to stay:
To be honest, if you choose Pu Luong as your destination, I would always recommend staying in a homestay rather than a hotel. Yes, part of the reason is the price, but the real value is the experience. Staying with local families gives you a much deeper look into daily life here.
Most people in this region are Thai and Muong ethnic communities (learn more about:Vietnamese ethnicity), and they are incredibly kind, gentle and genuine. When you stay in their homes, they treat you almost like a relative rather than a guest.
They will cook for you the same way they cook for their own family during a celebration, and the meals are some of the warmest, most generous moments you can have in Pu Luong.
Hieu Village sits amid a limestone mountain range tucked inside an old-growth forest, with small ethnic villages scattered between the trees. This is also where you’ll find the well-known Hieu Waterfall.
Surrounded by dense, untouched forest, the waterfall stays cool and refreshing all year round.
Hieu waterfall
Don village (best for rice fields)
If you’re into rice terraces, Don Village is one of the top places to stay. It’s at its most beautiful in September and October, when the fields turn a deep golden yellow and the whole valley glows.
And even if you come earlier when the rice is still green then the landscape is just as striking.
If you’re into rice terraces, Don Village is one of the top places to stay.
Good to know:
From Don, you can look down to:
Uoi Village: set beneath a limestone ridge, with palm forests, curving rice terraces, and a clear stream where locals live.
Lan Village: known for its traditional brocade weaving. Villagers used to weave only for family use, but today they also make textiles for visitors.
This cluster (Don - Uoi - Lan village) is the easiest to access by car and convenient for first-time visitors.
Bang Village is home to stretches of primary forest and remains one of the least-known areas for visitors. Compared to the other villages, it’s farther out and has only started welcoming tourists in the past few years.
Its raw, untouched beauty is exactly what many travelers fall in love with.
The bamboo forest of Pu Luong
Along national highway 15C (Most convenient)
If you look around Pu Luong, you’ll notice that many homestays and small local restaurants sit along the main road QL15C, right before the turnoff to Kho Muong or Don Village. Locals choose to build here because this road connects nearly all of Pu Luong’s highlights.
It’s a practical area to stay in. My guests who come by car find it much easier to access compared to the smaller village paths inside the valley. And although the main road has some traffic during the day, most homestays are actually perched slightly higher on the mountain ridge.
For many guests I guide through Pu Luong, this area along QL15C becomes one of the most ideal bases.
In short:
Area
Best For
Pros
Cons
Recommended
Hieu Village
Waterfalls, nature lovers
Cool all year, authentic villages, beautiful streams
Far from main road; slow access
Local homestays, riverside lodges
Don Village
Rice terraces, first-timers
Iconic views, golden season Sep–Oct, easy to move
Can be busy on weekends
Homestays, mid-range ecolodges
Uoi & Lan Village
Culture, weaving villages
Easy access from Don; strong Thai culture
Limited dining
Homestays
Bang Village
Peace & raw forest
Very quiet, fewer tourists
Remote, limited amenities
Eco-retreats, bungalows
QL15C roadside
Convenience, families, seniors
Easy access, smooth arrival by car, many restaurants
Some traffic during the day
Villas, lodges, homestays
Here's the map for the best areas to stay in Pu Luong:
Back in 2020, Kampá Tour helped sponsor the rebuilding of a small stilt house deep inside Pu Luong - the home of a local man - Mr. Ty. To get there, you cross a narrow wooden bridge over a stream, with rice fields and forested mountains all around. It’s a bit off the main road, but honestly, that’s part of what makes it special.
I’ve brought so many travelers here over the years that Mr. Ty’s family now greets me like an old friend. The house itself is traditional but comfortable, with three private rooms and outdoor bathrooms that keep the authentic feel.
Mr. Ty’s family with our dear travelers
What I love most about this place is the atmosphere. Three generations live together, sharing their daily life with whoever comes to stay. The grandmother cooks over a wood fire, the children run between the rice fields, and Mr. Ty chats with guests as if they were old friends. You can join in too, help prepare dinner with vegetables freshly picked from the garden or the forest, grill meat over the fire, and cook rice the old-fashioned way.
It’s a little far from the center, but to me, this corner of Pu Luong captures the heart of the region: quiet, kind, and unforgettable.
Mr.Ty and his wooden kitchen
3.2 Pu Luong Home
Address: Thanh Lam, Ba Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa
Phone: +84 359 841 456
Pu Luong Home is a small, easygoing place right along the main road, so getting in and out is straightforward. The owner speaks good English and is very down-to-earth, often sharing meals or chatting with guests.
The rooms are simple and clean, with nice views over the fields, and you can rent a scooter to explore nearby villages. It’s an affordable, friendly base if you want a stay that feels close to local life.
Our dear travelers in Pu Luong Home
The rooms are simple and clean, with nice views over the fields!
Set on a higher budget, Pu Luong Retreat is also one of the places my guests enjoy the most whenever I guide groups here. The retreat stretches along a quiet hillside with wide views of rice terraces and mountains. The bungalows and villas are built in a rustic, eco-friendly style, surrounded by gardens, palm trees, and two infinity pools.
You can learn how to cook Vietnamese dishes with Pu Luong Retreat
3.4 Pu Luong Natura
Address: Don Village, Thanh Lam Commune, Ba Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa
Pu Luong Natura sits high on a hillside with wide views of the valley, the kind that makes you stop and just stare for a while.
Staff are friendly and the local dishes are good, although weekends can be noisier than weekdays. Overall, it’s a lovely place if you want comfort in nature, but don’t expect total silence in the evenings.
Overall, it’s a lovely place if you want comfort in nature, but don’t expect total silence in the evenings.
3.5 Puluong Aroma
Address: Bang Village, Ba Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa
Phone: +84 389 715 852
Puluong Aroma is a small, heartfelt homestay in Bang Village, known for its warm hosts and beautiful views over the rice terraces. The rooms are simple but clean, each with a balcony facing the sunrise. What guests appreciate most is the atmosphere: Gam and Bo treat everyone like family, from helping with travel arrangements to cooking generous homemade meals.
The owner treats you like a member of their familly
3.6 Lua Pu Luong
Address: Leo Village, Ba Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa Phone: +84 983 742 088
Tucked away in Leo Village, Lua Pu Luong is one of those places that feels made with love. It was designed by Lua - a young Vietnamese woman who turned her passion for nature into a peaceful hideaway. The rooms are rustic but tasteful, the food is fresh, homemade and full of local flavor.
It was designed by Lua - a young Vietnamese woman who turned her passion for nature into a peaceful hideaway.
3.7 Pu Luong Riverside Lodge
Address: Hieu Village, Co Lung, Ba Thuoc, Thanh Hoa
Hidden deep in Hieu Village, Pu Luong Riverside Lodge is one of those places where you can instantly slow down. The lodge sits beside a small stream, surrounded by green hills, bamboo trees, and rice terraces that change color with the seasons.
This lodge has a beautiful hillside setting with great views of the rice terraces. It’s comfortable, fairly priced, and close to Pu Luong’s main attractions, a good option if you want a bit more comfort without losing the local charm.
3.9 Pu Luong Eco Garden
If you still want a more high-end stay in Pu Luong, Pu Luong Eco Garden is a solid choice.
It’s set in one of the most beautiful spots in the nature reserve, with sweeping mountain and valley views. Just keep in mind that Pu Luong is still a wild and rural area, so even in a place like this, “luxury” here means comfort blended with nature, not city-style high-end.
It’s set in one of the most beautiful spots in the nature reserve, with sweeping mountain and valley views.
In short
Stay Type
Best For
Pros
Cons
Homestay
Travelers who want culture, authenticity, local life
Ideally 2–3 days is enough to explore the highlights: waterfalls, rice terraces, and ethnic villages. If you love hiking or photography, staying 4–5 days is the most ideal.
If you plan to stay in a real local homestay, booking ahead isn’t usually necessary since many travelers simply arrive and ask for a room.
However, for resorts or boutique homestays, especially on weekends or holidays, it’s wise to book online in advance.
A bit of both, but quieter. Pu Luong has the terraced rice fields of Sapa and the limestone scenery of Ninh Binh, yet it remains much less touristy. It’s perfect for travelers who want nature, culture, and calm without the crowds.
Yes, but choose accommodation accessible by car and plan shorter walks. Many eco-lodges and homestays offer gentle trails and local experiences suitable for all ages.
Technically yes, but not recommended since the round trip takes around 10 hours. It’s better to stay at least one night to really experience the landscapes and local life.
If you’re looking for a simple, relaxing trip with soft activities like biking and meeting local artisans, Mai Chau is the way to go. But if you prefer deeper nature, tougher hikes, and peaceful scenery far from the crowds, Pu Luong will suit you better.
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