Is Pu Luong Hillside Lodge Worth Including in Your Pu Luong Tours?

Is Pu Luong Hillside Lodge Worth Staying?

Yes, and here’s why. Pu Luong Hillside Lodge is more than a where-to-sleep kind of destination; it’s a gateway to experiencing the untamed beauty and cultural richness of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Located in Don Village, the lodge is blended into the landscape, with wooden stilt houses with private balconies overlooking green rice terraces and peaceful streams.

What distinguishes it is the emphasis on authentic, in-depth experiences. Tourists can join Thai ethnic dance performances, rent traditional outfits, harvest vegetables in the organic garden, and trek to remote sites like Kho Muong Village and Hieu Waterfall — and all within a quaint, eco-friendly lodge that honors local tradition and nature.

Backed by the trusted team at Impress Travel, the stay is well-organized, thoughtfully designed, and ideal for couples, families, and small groups. If you’re searching for a Pu Luong hotel that delivers both comfort and culture, Pu Luong Hillside Lodge is worth booking, especially in the golden rice season (Sep–Oct) or green planting season (May–June).

Location & Accessibility

Pu Luong Hillside Lodge is located at Don Village, Thanh Lam Commune, Ba Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa Province, Pu Luong Nature Reserve. It is renowned for peaceful landscapes, rice paddies, and Thai culture.

The lodge is:

• 170 km from Hanoi (about 4.5–5 hours by car)
• 46 km from Mai Chau
• 68 km from Moc Chau

You have several transportation options:

• Limousine vans or sleeper buses shared from Hanoi (convenient and cheap)
• Private car with driver (most suitable for families or those who want comfort)
• Motorbike hire (for those who are experienced riders)
• Pre-booked tours with pickup, organized by Impress Travel

Room Types at Pu Luong Hillside Lodge

Dormitory Room

• Capacity: Up to 6 guests
• Bed type: Shared bedding with individual mosquito nets
• Bathroom: Shared (clean, hot water provided)
• Suitable for: Solo travelers, backpackers, groups seeking budget accommodation
• Highlight: Good way to meet other travelers; full use of lodge facilities

Dormitory Room (Source: trip)

Double Room

• Space for: 2 people
• Type of bed: 1 king-sized double bed
• Bathroom: En-suite, with shower, hot water, towels, shampoo, soap
• View: Rice terraces or garden
• Suitable for: Couples, honeymooners

Double Room (Source: trip)

Twin Room

• Space for: 2 people
• Type of bed: 2 singles
• Bathroom: En-suite, fully equipped
• View: Garden or hillside
• Suitable for: Friends, siblings, colleagues

Twin Room (Source: trip)

Triple Room

• Space for: 3 people
• Type of bed: 1 double + 1 single or 3 singles
• Bathroom: En-suite with standard amenities
• Size: Approximately 25m²
• View: Mountains or inner courtyard
• Suitable for: Small families, tight groups

Triple Room (Source: trip)

Family Room

• Capacity: Up to 5 visitors
• Bed type: Multiple beds (1 double + 2–3 singles)
• Bathroom: Spacious private bathroom with full facilities
• View: Balcony overlooking terraced fields or organic farm
• Suitable for: Families with children or small travel groups

Family Room (Source: trip)

Traditional Stilt House (Shared Wooden Lodge)

• Capacity: 20–25 visitors
• Bed type: Shared bedding with individual mosquito nets
• Bathroom: 2 clean shared bathrooms
• Facilities: Open living area, houses in an ethnic style
• Best for: Team-building, student groups, company retreats, ethnic-style immersion

What’s on the Menu at Pu Luong Hillside Lodge: Dining, Organic Garden & Local Flavors

Breakfast

• Included in the room rate
• Options: Vietnamese (porridge, noodle soup) or Western (fruits, eggs, toast, tea/coffee)
• Served 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Lunch & Dinner

• Daily changing fixed set menus
• Vegetarian options can be ordered
• Signature dishes are:

• • Co Lung duck – locally available free-range duck grilled with herbs
  • Wild vegetables from local forests
  • Can wine, a locally fermented rice wine, be served in bamboo tubes

Organic Garden

• The lodge operates an organic vegetable farm of its own
• Guests can visit and help with harvesting greens used in daily cooking

Café Space

• Small café in the Pu Luong Hillside Lodge
• Serves Vietnamese coffee, herbal tea, and soft drinks
• Outdoor seating with garden view and hill view

Café Space (Source: trip)

Local Experiences & Cultural Activities

Thai Ethnic Costume Rental

Guests can rent traditional Thai clothing from the lodge itself. Outfits include colorful skirts, hand-woven scarves, and jewelry worn by the Thai hill tribe in the region. They are perfect for balcony photographs, garden pictures, or near the rice terraces. They can be rented from the reception at a small fee.

Thai Ethnic Costume Rental (Source: thuetrangphuc)

Evening Thai Dance Performance

Every evening, Pu Luong Hillside Lodge features a live Thai dance show by local Thai women. They dress in traditional costumes and do cultural, rhythmic dances that reflect the people’s identity. One is encouraged to watch, photograph, or even join in. It is an informal and friendly environment, often accompanied by some glasses of Can wine (fermented rice wine, home-produced).

Organic Farming Experience

There is an organic vegetable farm at the lodge, where visitors can:

• Visit the farm at any time.
• Harvest seasonal vegetables in a joint activity.
• Experience how food is grown naturally, without using chemicals.
• This fresh food produced is then utilized in the day’s meals, enhancing value to your dining experience.

Organic Farming (Source: trip)

Cooking Class and Outdoor BBQ

Guests may also organize a cooking session with the kitchen team to learn how to prepare local dishes like stir-fried wild vegetables, barbecue meat in bamboo tubes, and dipping sauce. You may also have a private BBQ arrangement in the garden for dinner under the stars.

Fishing, Walking, and Valley Viewing

• There is a fishing pool inside the property. Rods and bait are available free of charge.
• Walking paths across the gardens and organic farm deliver peaceful short walks.
• Wooden furniture and hammocks are cleverly placed throughout the garden, offering panoramic vistas across the valley—ideal for relaxing with a pot of tea.

Valley Viewing (Source: tinnhanhchungkhoan)

Suggested Tour: Explore Pu Luong While Staying at the Lodge

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong Hillside Lodge – Kho Muong Trek – Thai Dance Night

07:30 AM – Departure from Hanoi
Your journey begins with a road drive from Hanoi to Pu Luong through a scenic rural landscape. You have the opportunity to drive through the stunning Thung Khe Pass, which is famous for its panoramic views of the mountains. A short stopover at Mai Chau provides you with an opportunity to stretch and taste ancient stilt houses and local crafts.

01:00 PM – Arrival and Check-in at Pu Luong Hillside Lodge
Upon arrival at Pu Luong Hillside Lodge, enjoy a refreshing welcome drink while taking in the peaceful valley views. After check-in, you’ll settle into your wooden stilt room, complete with a balcony overlooking rice terraces or garden views.

03:30 PM – Trek to Kho Muong Village
Join a guided trek through the heart of the reserve to Kho Muong Village, known for its limestone valley and bat cave. You’ll pass terraced fields, local homes, and forested paths while learning about the daily life of the Thai ethnic community.

06:00 PM – Return to Lodge and Dinner
Back to Pu Luong Hillside Lodge for a delightful set dinner of local dishes such as Co Lung duck and mountain greens, freshly picked from the garden.

08:00 PM – Thai Traditional Dance Performance
Cap off your evening with a live Thai dance performance. Locals, dressed in multicolored ethnic attire, dance traditional rhythmic dances in the common lounge of the lodge. Visitors are also encouraged to join in and have a drink of can wine, a local rice wine drunk out of bamboo tubes.

Thai Traditional Dance Performance (Source: naturabungalow)

Day 2: Sunrise – Hieu Waterfall – Return to Hanoi

05:30 AM – Sunrise Over the Valley
Get up early and watch the sun rise from your balcony or lodge perspective. The misty morning light over the terraced fields is a photographer’s idyll.

07:00 AM – Breakfast at the Lodge
Feast on a big breakfast that has it all – Western- and Vietnamese-style fresh fruit, eggs, bread, and a choice of hot tea or coffee.

08:00 AM – Trek to Hieu Village and Hieu Waterfall
Start the day with a guided morning hike to Hieu Waterfall. The journey is a meander through forest, past hillside farmland to the village and the opportunity to visit stilt houses and chat with locals, before ending with a dip at the base of the falls.

11:00 AM – Return to the Lodge and Check out
Head back to Pu Luong Hillside Lodge for a quick put on and check out. All you need to do here is catch your breath and take one last glimpse before your departure.

12:00 PM – Depart for Hanoi
You will return from Pu Luong at midday, getting back to Hanoi at about 5:00-6:00 PM, finishing a spectacular and enriching short escape full of nature and culture!

Hieu Waterfall (Source: tripadvisor)

Book Your Pu Luong Hillside Lodge Tour with Impress Travel

Now, in search of a solid escape into nature? A night at Pu Luong Hillside Lodge is more than just a break from travelling; it’s an insight into calm valleys, authentic culture, and unforgettable local hospitality. Impress Travel provides private tours to Pu Luong Hillside Lodge with local transport, trekking with a guide, all meals, and cultural experiences.

Whether you are a couple looking for a romantic getaway or a family looking to discover rural Vietnam, read on, and our travel experts are here to help. Book today your Pu Luong tour and explore the best of Thanh Hoa with a professional local team.

Contact Impress Travel:

• Address: 125 Hoang Ngan, 3rd Floor, Trung Hoa, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Hotline / WhatsApp: (+84) 912 379 189
• Email: info@impresstravel.com
• Website: www.impresstravel.com

Conclusion

Pu Luong Hillside Lodge is an ideal retreat for those looking for peace, nature, and real local life. With its optimal positioning, hospitality, and immersive experiences, it’s worth spending time with. For the most stunning views, book early in the green season (May–June) or the golden rice season (Sep–Oct). When it comes to the best Pu Luong hotel, this takes some beating.