Image Missing
mai chau
Getting to know...
Pu Luong Nature Reserve covers over 17,000 hectares of limestone mountains, jungle and terraced rice fields in Thanh Hoa Province, just southwest of the Mai Chau Valley. The reserve was established to protect some of northern Vietnam’s last remaining primary forest and its rare wildlife, including the endangered Delacour’s langur.
What makes Pu Luong special for visitors is the combination of stunning scenery with genuine remoteness. The rice terraces here rival Sapa’s in beauty but see a fraction of the visitors. The valleys are dotted with traditional Thai and Muong minority villages connected by footpaths that wind through bamboo forest and along streams lined with iconic bamboo water wheels — handmade irrigation devices unique to this area.
Bamboo water wheels
The con nước (water wheels) are one of Pu Luong’s most distinctive sights. Built entirely from bamboo, these wheels are turned by the flow of the streams and lift water up to irrigate the terraced rice fields above. They are found throughout the reserve and are incredibly photogenic.
Best time to visit
The terraces are at their most photogenic in May-June (bright green after planting) and September-October (golden before harvest). The reserve can be visited year-round but trails can be muddy and slippery during the rainy season (July-August).