Getting There: How to Reach Pu Luong Riverside Lodge
Pu Luong Riverside Lodge is located at Ban Am Hieu, Co Lung commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam, within Pu Luong Nature Reserve, amidst rice terraces, limestone peaks, and riverbends. Though located far from metropolitan tourist areas in a remote valley, the lodge remains easily reached from major tourist spots in northern Vietnam.
Distances from Key Travel Hubs
- From Hanoi: 178 km — ~4.5 to 5 hours by car
- From Ninh Binh: 125 km — ~3.5 to 4 hours by car
- From Mai Chau: 30 km — ~1 hour by car
Best Routes to Pu Luong Riverside Lodge
- From Hanoi:
- By either the Ho Chi Minh Trail (Xuan Mai – Cam Thuy – Canh Nang) for a peaceful drive, or National Highway 6 (Hoa Binh – Mai Chau – Co Luong – Ban Don – Ban Am Hieu).
- Both of these offer scenery of mountains and rural villages, ideal for nature lovers.
- From Ninh Binh:
- Route: Ninh Binh → Cuc Phuong → Cam Thuy → Pho Doan → Ban Am Hieu
- A great option if you’re going to see nature and culture on the same trip.
- From Mai Chau:
- Fastest access only 30 km via Co Luong → Ban Don → Ban Am Hieu
- Best suited for tourists on multi-day trekking or cultural tours.
Rooms at Pu Luong Riverside Lodge: A Deep Dive
Deluxe Bungalow
- Size: ~35m²
- Bed Type: 2 Twin Beds
- Material: Clay walls, wooden frame, bamboo ceiling
- View: Garden, rice terraces
- Max Occupancy: 2 adults
This is an independent, private bungalow built in the style of Thai stilt houses. It contains two comfortable twin beds, an en-suite bathroom with a hot shower facility, and a small porch area where you can sit and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature. There is no TV and no fridge, making this room ideal for a digital detox.
Suitable for: Individual travelers, friends, or couples with simple tastes
Photo concept: Balcony sunrise with misty mountain vista
Deluxe Bungalow (Source: puluongriversidelodge)
Family Cottage
- Size: ~45m²
- Bed Type: 2 King Beds + 1 Large Twin Bed
- Material: Wooden walls, thatched roof
- View: Trees, nearby stream
- Max Occupancy: Up to 5 people
Ideal for families or small groups, this cottage has ample room to unwind after a hard day of trekking. It features three beds, an ensuite bathroom, and opening windows to serene garden views. Crafted from natural wood and local materials, it naturally stays cool.
Best for: Families, groups of 4–5
Photo idea: Group photo under the high wooden ceiling, morning light filtering in
Family Cottage (Source: puluongriversidelodge)
Mountain View Cottage
- Size: ~35–40m²
- Bed Type: 2 King Beds
- Material: Bamboo and hardwood
- View: Direct view of rice terraces and mountains
- Max Occupancy: 2–4 adults
This is among Pu Luong Riverside Lodge’s best rooms. The large veranda gives out to breathtaking views of rice field tiers and mountain peaks, the perfect morning sight. Built using natural materials, the cottage insulates itself naturally, and it is minimalist and cozy inside.
Ideal for: Nature lovers, couples, or small groups
Photo idea: Sunrise balcony coffee shot over the rice terraces
Mountain View Cottage (Source: puluongriversidelodge)
Deluxe Double Room
- Size: ~30m²
- Bed Type: 1 King Bed
- Material: Clay and wood
- View: Garden or internal courtyard
- Max Occupancy: 2 adults
Sweet in size but not as roomy, this room offers a secluded king-size bed with clay walls and wooden beams. It’s serene, clean, and ideal for couples who are fond of simplicity and a good night’s sleep in the midst of rural surroundings.
Recommended for: Couples, short-stay visitors
Photo spot: Soft window light corner shot with clay wall texture
Deluxe Double Room (Source: puluongriversidelodge)
Shared Features in All Rooms
Whatever room you choose at Pu Luong Riverside Lodge, you’ll have:
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- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom with hot water
- Eco-friendly body wash, shampoo, and towels
- Local tea with an electric kettle
- Hair dryer
- Fan (ceiling or standing)
- Daily housekeeping service
- No TV, no refrigerator — by design
The plan is to get you chilled, listen to the outside stream, and have some quiet time, not screens. You may even be greeted by pleasant resort dogs like Mr. Chao Chao on your way back to your room!
Pu Luong Riverside Lodge: Full 3-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival & Village Discovery (Easy Hike)
Morning:
- 07:30 AM: Private transfer (arranged by Impress Travel or the Lodge) pick-up in Hanoi
- 12:00 – 12:30 PM: Arrive at Pu Luong Riverside Lodge in Ban Am Hieu, check in, and relax
- Welcome tea and short orientation
Afternoon:
- 01:00 PM: Enjoy local specialties for lunch, a traditional meal
- 02:30 PM: Start a 3-hour soft trek with a local guide
- Explore Uoi and Lan Villages – ethnic Thai villages nestled in terraced rice fields
- Hike palm forests, earth roads, and pass by local families drying herbs, weaving, and cooking
- Shoot photos of old stilt houses and historic bamboo water wheels
- 05:30 PM: Return to the lodge, have time at leisure to rest or watch the sunset at the stream
Evening:
- 06:30 PM: Dinner at the lodge’s open-air restaurant
- Optional: Participate in a night cultural exchange (folk songs, ethnic tale, or get an experience with ruou can)
Lan Villages (Source: puluongretreat)
Day 2 – Kho Muong Trek & Bat Cave Adventure (Full-Day Trek)
Morning:
- 07:00 AM: Have breakfast with fresh fruits, tea, and traditional rice cakes
- 08:00 AM: Leave by lodge vehicle to trekking starting point (about 25 minutes away)
- Start a guided 6-hour round trek along secret valleys and tropical forests
- Cross tiny streams and rice paddies to arrive at Kho Muong Village, a remote Thai village in a valley of limestone hills
- Discover the mythical Bat Cave (Hang Doi) — hike through sparkly rock formations with a flashlight
- Meet with local villagers, have tea, and learn about local life
Midday:
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a stilt house with the local people (bamboo chicken, sticky rice, locally grown greens)
Afternoon:
- Return on a different path: the trail passes through cornfields, water buffalo farms, and rice terraces high up above
- 04:00 PM: Return to the drop-off and transfer back to Pu Luong Riverside Lodge
Evening:
- 06:30 PM: Dinner at the lodge – vegetarian options available
- Relax by the stream, write about your experience, or take a nap under the stars
Kho Muong Trek (Source: kimlientravel)
Day 3 – Morning at Leisure & Return to Hanoi
Morning
- 07:30 AM: Breakfast at Pu Luong Riverside Lodge – hot coffee, pancakes, sticky rice, and tropical fruits
- 08:30 – 09:30 AM: Leisure time to relax, grab last-minute photos, or walk to the local craft shop
- Buy souvenirs made by the local Thai families: brocade scarves, rattan baskets, herbal teas
- Optional: short walk to the natural stream or rice terrace for some final photos
Midday
- 10:30 AM: Checkout, settle bills, and say goodbye to the warm lodge staff
- 11:00 AM: Depart by private car or shared transfer to Hanoi
Buy Local Thai Family-Made Souvenirs (Source: vietnamairlines)
Facilities & Onsite Comfort at Pu Luong Riverside Lodge
Natural Pools for Summer Relaxation
A few minutes’ stroll from your room is one of Pu Luong Riverside Lodge’s coolest assets: a natural stream-fed swimming pool. In the warmer months (May to September), visitors can swim in these shallow pools in the shade of the forest and surrounded by mountain air. No ordinary hotel swimming pools, this is swimming the way nature meant it to be, no chlorine, no din, just water sound and bird song.
Natural Pools (Source: puluongriversidelodge)
Shared Lounge Areas & Reception Comfort
The main lodge has comfortable, easy places to sit, read, or meet fellow travelers. Having herbal tea outside in the lounge or charging your phone at the reception desk, it’s all designed to unwind.
- Wi-Fi is available at the reception desk and restaurant area, fast enough for emails or uploading your day’s photos
- Power sockets are available in common spaces
- Reception staff are available to assist with local tips, booking hikes, or calling transport
Daily Comfort Services
At Pu Luong Riverside Lodge, your well-being is cared for through practical, consistent services:
- Daily cleaning of rooms
- A 24/7 security team ensures guest safety day and night
- Free bottled water is provided in each room
- Guided support is available for tours, emergencies, and translation help
- Fans, hot showers, hair dryers, and basic amenities in every room
It is this thoughtfulness and this modesty that induce many a guest to come back or recommend the lodge to friends.
Pu Luong Riverside Lodge – Is It Right for You?
Pros
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Cons
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Authentic Thai cultural experience
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Remote location (4.5 hours from Hanoi)
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Quiet, peaceful environment
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No TV, minibar, or spa
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Great for trekking, slow travel, and nature walks
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No nightlife or entertainment options
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Eco-friendly rooms built from clay, bamboo, and wood
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Wi-Fi is only available in the reception area
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Guided hikes and meals are included in the stay
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Not ideal for remote work or business travelers
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Who Should Stay?
- Trekkers and nature adventurers
- Couples looking for peace and scenery, romance
- Digital detoxers
- Culture buffs and photographers
Conclusion
Looking to unwind, breathe, and connect with something real? Pu Luong Riverside Lodge is a stay, not an overnight, a chance to hike through valley terracing, experience real adventures with Thai villages, and really rest in a place far removed from city noise. Here, every meal is prepared to order, every view serene, and every day leads you closer to the ground and yourself.
Whether you’re embarking on a digital detox, a cultural retreat, or simply a peaceful respite, let your journey begin here. Reserve directly, speak with our local experts, or explore other Pu Luong hotel experiences curated by Impress Travel. Pu Luong is calling, and it could just be the refuge you’ve been looking for.
FAQ
Is Pu Luong worth visiting?
Absolutely, yes. Pu Luong is one of Vietnam’s hidden treasures, a peaceful nature reserve filled with terraced rice fields, ethnic Thai villages, and jungle-lined valleys. It offers a more authentic, quieter alternative to places like Sapa. If you’re seeking real local culture, nature walks, and slow travel, Pu Luong is worth visiting.
Who owns the Riverside Lodge Hotel?
Pu Luong Riverside Lodge is owned and operated by a community group belonging to neighboring Thai ethnic villages, with Impress Travel as a partner. The lodge is a community-based tourism venture aimed at facilitating sustainable travel and conserving cultural heritage through authentic experiences.
How long should you stay in Pu Luong?
The ideal stay is 2 to 3 nights, especially if staying at Pu Luong Riverside Lodge. This will give you enough time to take a complete hiking tour, explore Thai villages like Kho Muong and Hieu, swim in natural streams, and relax amidst nature. For even deeper cultural experiences, some tourists prefer to stay for as long as 4 nights.
What to do at Pu Luong?
There is much to visit and experience in Pu Luong, all courtesy of Pu Luong Riverside Lodge’s tours:
- Take a walk to remote Thai villages like Kho Muong and Lan
- Swim at Hieu Waterfall and natural rock pools
- Shop in local markets and hike through bamboo forests
- Stay in eco-lodges like Pu Luong hotel, options chosen by Impress Travel
- Dine on traditional food, listen to traditional music, and purchase ethnic crafts