Pu Luong

leboughton
Feb 11
2 min read

On a bus again - this time heading to the airport to fly south to Hoi An, so time for another update.

We spent the last 2 nights in Pu Luong, a nature preserve located 4 hours southwest of Hanoi. According to the internets, it is a “tranquil, off-the-beaten-path paradise renowned for its breathtaking limestone mountains, lush, terraced rice fields, and traditional Thai/Muong stilt-house villages.” Having walked many miles among the rice paddies and small villages yesterday, I can confirm this is all true!

The view from my room was stunning:

Our hotel was lovely, with a comfortable room, amazing views out over the valley, and very good food.

But I really came to appreciate the area on our long trek down the mountain and through the valley. The footing was a little treacherous - very steep and a bit slippery due to earlier rain - but the experience was so worth the effort. Look at these views along the way!

We passed people working the fields, as well as some of their animals!

Also passed through a number of small villages. The people were so friendly, and preparing for the new (lunar) year - Tet - which is in less than a week.

A highlight was visiting a family who live in a traditional stilt home. This is the oldest in the region, built 125 years ago and still in use. These homes were elevated to protect the occupants from snakes , tigers, and other animals.

The families here live very simply - growing their own food - rice, fish, chicken, duck, vegetables - cooking over an open fire, and doing laundry in the river. We were graciously invited in and shared some tea and rice wine.