Get ready for the adventure: the Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour overwhelming journey that brings you face-to-face with Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage and the pristine beauty of Pu Luong Nature Reserve! This is truly an exclusive tour for travelers who stick to the authentic desire to explore the vibrant Pho Doan Market, where local communities gather to trade traditional goods and explore breathtaking landscapes in Pu Luong. Whether it’s for adventure or a cultural connection, this is one of the best-pronounced and most immersive Pu Luong Tours, offering an enriching combination of nature, tradition, and ecotourism for a memorable journey.
Let’s start with a bit of interesting history about Pho Doan Market. Although this is quite an ancient and famous market in the Thanh Hoa province, it was established in the time of the French colonization period. Centuries have gone by, yet it has played the important role of a meeting point for the ethnic Thai, Muong, and Kinh people to trade, narrate stories, and celebrate their traditions. More than just a trading site, this market represents a living museum of the rich cultural heritage of Northern Vietnam. You have to vividly imagine being transported back in time at every step you take while walking through the many market stalls, with passed-on traditions surrounding practically everything you see.
One of the most interesting dimensions of Pho Doan Market is that it has always played a role in community building. People from different villages, being of different ethnicities, have always come together, bringing with them relationships reaching beyond business matters. Whether by informal chatting or formal communication, the marketplace has long served as a meeting point for different cultures in this region.
Let’s talk about Pho Doan Market! It opens only on Thursdays and Sundays, turning into an energetic display of colors, buzzing with excited haggling and the aromas of local delicacies. The energy here is contagious. You could almost feel the variation in the local products being displayed-from handwoven textiles to fresh vegetables and traditional handicrafts. Each of these stalls represents one aspect or another of the daily lives of people living in the surrounding mountains.
The uniqueness of Pho Doan Market is the traditional barter system still in practice today. Can you imagine a place where not just money but goods are traded according to their values? You will see someone exchanging rice for a handwoven blanket or vegetables for handcrafted bamboo tools. It not only portrays the self-sufficient life of the ethnic communities but also presents a rare opportunity for visitors to witness one of the ancient trading methodologies at work. High spot of the Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour, and one of many things that make this market different from any other.
Of course, a visit to Pho Doan Market is not all about seeing; rather, it is about the experiences that await you-traipsing along the market for interactions with local sellers and some of their very unique traditions. Many handmade products will be on display, their techniques traced back through generations: intricately woven textiles by the ethnic Thai people, and beautifully crafted bamboo items complement organic produce fresh off the local fields.
What makes this experience so special is the fact that one gets to speak one-on-one with the artisans themselves, who will be very proud to tell you the tales of their crafts, explain what they make and why, and even let you try weaving or crafting for yourself. This truly allows one to soak up the culture while being appreciative of the talent and craftsmanship that goes into handmade products. One of the reasons that would make it memorable for anyone to be on the Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour is a live cultural exchange, which is the case here.
And now, let’s talk about food because no visit to the Pho Doan Market would be complete without a taste of some of the local cuisine. The market is not just a feast for the eyes; it is also a feast for the stomach. You will be provided with an opportunity to taste typical dishes representing the farm produce in this area. First, with a backdrop of sticky rice, grilled meat, and forest vegetables prepared by traditional techniques to emphasize the richness and Earth’s flavor in the mountains.
Be sure to try ruou can, a fermented rice wine considered a staple at any kind of local celebration. It’s generally offered around a circle of friends and family, and it’s even a simple sign of hospitality in the region. If feeling adventurous, try com lam, a tasty bamboo rice dish that’s already more related to the experience than to the flavor itself. The rice is cooked inside bamboo tubes, giving a slightly smoky nutty taste that’s irresistible. Both these dishes are a must-try on this Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour!
6:00 AM – Pickup in Hanoi
Our energetic guide from Impress Travel will meet you at your hotel in Hanoi, where after a brief description of today’s adventures, we leave for Pu Luong Nature Reserve, ready to be imbued with the culture and beauty of Northern Vietnam.
7:30 AM – Breakfast Stop in Hoa Binh
En route, we are going to stop in Hoa Binh to have a breakfast break. Individuals can have a local Vietnamese breakfast the various options are something like pho bo or bun cha. Take time to rest and appreciate the tranquility around you set by nature.
9:00 AM – Stop at Thung Khe Pass
The first stop is Thung Khe Pass, under which the great scenery comes from a panoramic view of mountains and valleys. You will take time for photo shooting or simply enjoy the fresh mountain air. Local sellers will offer you specialties, such as grilled corn or sticky rice, and other fast foods or souvenirs.
10:00 AM – Arrival at Pho Doan Market
We arrive at the famous Pho Doan Market highland market opening only on Thursday and Sunday. This forms without question one of the most authentic experiences in the region where ethnic Thai, Muong, and Kinh people get together to sell handmade goods and fresh produce. Passing through this market, we dive into a rainbow of colored, hand-loomed textiles, bamboo products, and locally grown vegetables.
Cultural Highlight: You will also be able to observe the traditional system of barter, whereby locals exchange goods without the use of money. It’s a uniquely kept way of the passing of generations. Take your time exploring the market, intermingling with the sellers, and perhaps purchasing a few souvenirs.
12:00 PM – Lunch at a Local Restaurant
After visiting the market, we will head to a local restaurant nearby for a tasty lunch with a specialty of the local people. We will enjoy grilled mountain chicken and crispy stream fish; various kinds of forest veggies prepared with all local ingredients. The meal is simple but with a lot of flavors, which represents the real essence of Pu Luong cuisine.
2:00 PM – Bamboo Rafting on Cham Stream (Optional)
The afternoon is filled with the continuation of the adventure: optional bamboo rafting on Cham Stream self-paid. This is a tranquil experience that enables floating down the crystal-clear waters of Pu Luong on a traditionally crafted bamboo raft, which allows appreciation of its serene beauty. As it slides down the stream, you will enjoy the serenity of the atmosphere: lush green mountains and a forest line will accompany you during this time.
Optional Swimming: After rafting, there is ample time to plunge and draw a refreshing dip in the cool waters of Cham Stream. Hence, this is one of the best ways to relax and fully merge into the beautiful surroundings of nature in its virgin form.
4:00 PM – Departure from Pu Luong
Late in the afternoon, we start driving back to Hanoi and stop at Thung Khe again on the way. You can buy local specialties here as souvenirs to bring home, such as ‘com lam’ or bamboo rice, ‘mac khen’ or wild pepper, and ‘ruou can’ or fermented rice wine.
7:00 PM – Arrival in Hanoi
In the late afternoon, we drive back to Hanoi, and your tour ends here. Hope that you have had a nice time on Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour and see you again on Pu Luong Tours!
The following are a few important things to remember when getting ready for the unforgettable Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour. Whether your interest points to delving into a vibrant market or trekking through stunning rice terraces, all of these tips will help you make the most of your trip!
For those of you wondering about the best time to take the Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour, it is highly recommended during the rice harvest season. The magic happens twice a year: first from May to June and again from September to October. During these months, the golden brilliant fields transform into terraced rice fields resembling breathtaking views across the landscape as if some natural tapestry has been woven.
It’s the time one should plan if they ever want to see the famous golden terraces of Pu Luong. Just think: standing atop a ridge, a sea of gold everywhere, with farmers working down below. It is any photographer’s dream and a very special time to visit!
Packing for the Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour is easy, but there are a few things you’ll want to remember and not forget. Here’s a quick checklist to make certain you’re prepared for all of the adventures awaiting you:
The Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour is designed to be enjoyable for everybody, but there are some physical activities within the tour that require a good level of physical fitness. The hikes in Pu Luong are not too challenging; you will drift into rural areas, and some form of incline can be expected, but this is not demanding. Besides that, there’s the option of bamboo rafting down the Cham Stream, where some paddling comes into play, but it’s pretty laid-back and quite fun.
In case you enjoy being outdoors and have no problems with walking for about a few hours or so, then there shouldn’t be a problem in fully exploiting this adventure. We are going to be with you every step of the way to make sure that you have fun but stay safe.
Cultural immersion forms an important part of any Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour and largely consists of respectful behavior towards the customs and traditions ruling the local people. Here’s a quick guide on etiquette as you go about Pe Luong villages and market:
One of the great things about this Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour is you’ll also get the chance to take some souvenirs home and indulge in the local cuisine: from hand-woven textiles to delicious rice wine, there is a treasure trove of local products you can pick up as a memento of the adventure. Now let’s find out some must-buy items, their whereabouts, and typical prices to stay updated when it comes to shopping in Pu Luong!
Pho Doan Market is the perfect place to find handcrafted items made by the ethnic Thai, Muong, and Kinh communities. These items are not just souvenirs but also a reflection of the rich cultural heritage of Pu Luong.
Handwoven Textiles: Scarves, blankets, table runners, and other textile goods conventionally made.
Bamboo Products: Bamboo is used in making different items like baskets, utensils, home décor, among many other things
Take home a piece of Pu Luong with some of the region’s most renowned food products. These edible souvenirs will be great for family and friends or for that touch of Vietnamese in meals.
Rice Wine (Ruou Can): Bamboo containers of Ruou Can – a traditional fermented rice wine.
Local Spices (Mac Khen): Mac Khen, or wild pepper in small bags with other forest spices typical of the region.
These are some dishes that are waiting for your taste when you pay a visit to Pho Doan Market on your Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour:
Com Lam (Bamboo Rice): Com Lam can be consumed at the market or bamboo tubes containing rice can be brought home to cook to reproduce the flavor.
Mang Dang (Bitter Bamboo Shoots): Although people mostly consume Mang Dang fresh, you can buy it in its dried or preserved state to take home
The bottom line is that the Pho Doan Market Pu Luong Tour combines cultural immersion with the distillate of natural beauty deep in the heart of Northern Vietnam. From vibrant Pho Doan Market to serene bamboo rafting on Cham Stream, this tour will point out the rich traditions and stunning landscapes of Pu Luong. Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, or with a group, this is the adventure for any kind of traveler desiring real and unforgettable experiences. Book your tour now with Impress Travel and behold the hidden charms of Vietnam’s highlands! Don’t forget to regularly follow our Impress Travel for more interesting information about traveling Pu Luong to and to book Pu Luong Tours at the best prices.
Inclusion: Meals: 1 x lunch, 1 x dinner, Accommodation: Overnight at Pu Luong Retreat, private transfer, tour guide, water on van/car.
HOTELS & CRUISES IN VIETNAM SELECTED
Destination |
Room Type |
HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE |
Pu Luong |
Deluxe |
Homestay or Resort or Retreat or Bungalows |
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
Inclusion: Meals: 1 x breakfast, 1 x lunch, 1 x dinner, Accommodation: Overnight at Pu Luong Retreat, tour guide
Inclusion: Meals: 1 x lunch, Private Transfer, Tour Guide, Water on van/car.
Pu Luong is a natural reservation in the northern land of Vietnam. It is 160 km away from Hanoi and is a 4-hour drive north-west of Hanoi. Pu Luong Reserve is located in Quan Hoa & Bac Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa Province and shares a border with Hoa Binh Province in Tan Lac, Mai Chau, and Lac Son districts, and is divided by a central valley, which contains several human settlements and a large area of agricultural land, therefore, it is not included within the nature reserve. Pù Luông is endowed with great biodiversity, its flora and fauna are closely associated with the Cúc Phương National Park 25 km south-east. Impress Travel offers travelers a tour to explore Pu Luong combined with a Mai Chau trekking tour. It is a trekking tour from Mai Chau to Pu Luong, then an overnight stay at Pu Luong Retreat – 9 comfortable bungalows, 1 traditional stilt house with 16 comfy beds, an open-air restaurant with tasty cuisine, an infinity pool and spa with rock garden, all at your disposal. Come to Pu Luong Retreat to discover the hidden magic, of a place built by hand, with meticulous attention to detail, from the ground up puluong@impresstravel.com