Pu Luong Ecolodge - bản Đôn — Hotel in Thanh Hoá Province

Pu Luong isn’t loud like Sa Pa or packed like Tam Dao. It’s tucked away quietly in a corner of Thanh Hoa. Not many people talk about it — but once you make it there, it’s the kind of place you end up wanting to stay longer than planned.

I stayed at Pu Luong Ban Homestay in late May, right when the terraced rice fields were turning golden — probably the most beautiful time of year.

The homestay’s in Ban Don, about a 10-minute motorbike ride from the heart of the reserve. The road’s a little twisty, but nothing too hard to handle. I left from Hanoi, caught the 7am bus at My Dinh Station (150k VND per person), and when I got to Canh Nang town, I rented a motorbike — 120k a day, gas not included.

This isn’t one of those polished eco-resorts. It’s simple, in a good way. Built in the local style — wooden stilt houses, old but solid. The beddings were clean. At night, I lay there listening to crickets and the occasional distant bark of a dog. The shower was hot, there was wifi too, though I barely looked at my phone. Didn’t really need to.

What stuck with me most was dinner. The host cooked home-style meals — soup made from wild greens, braised stream fish, grilled chicken seasoned with mac khen pepper. One night we had stir-fried sour bamboo shoots with garlic. The smell? Insane. A meal like that feeds three easily, and it only cost around 100k per person. Way too cheap for the quality, honestly. I’d sit out on the porch, watching the fields, smoke drifting from the kitchen. It just… felt right. No noise, no rush. Peace, in a very real way.

Next morning I got up at 5:30, took a walk out to the fields. The sun was breaking through the mist — it looked like a scene from a movie. A few kids passed by on their way to school, greeting me in Thai. I didn’t understand, but somehow, it felt warm.

Later, I rented another motorbike and rode to Hieu Village, about 15km away. The road was mostly dirt, but the views were something else. There was a stream running along part of the way — clear water, super refreshing. I stopped, kicked off my shoes, and soaked my feet. Nothing...

Pu Luong Ecostay is a perfect getaway destination for nature lovers who are seeking a peaceful and serene environment. It is situated in the heart of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, surrounded by greenery, mountains, and paddy fields. I had the pleasure of staying at this homestay for a few days, and I must say it was a memorable experience. The rooms are spacious and clean, and the beds are comfortable. The homestay has a common area where guests can relax, read a book, or enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the breathtaking views of the mountains. The hosts at Pu Luong Ecostay are warm and welcoming. They are always ready to assist their guests and make them feel at home. They offer a variety of activities such as trekking, cycling, and exploring the local villages. The homestay also offers cooking classes where guests can learn to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes. One of the highlights of my stay at Pu Luong Ecostay was the food. The hosts prepared delicious and authentic Vietnamese meals using fresh ingredients from their garden. The meals were served family-style, which added to the overall homely experience. The location of the homestay is perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the beauty of nature. The surrounding area is peaceful and quiet, and the views are simply stunning. The homestay is also located near several hiking trails, which makes it an ideal base for exploring the area. Overall, I highly recommend Pu Luong Ecostay for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Pu Luong Nature Reserve and learn about...

Would recommend it but we won't come back.

Pros: The lodge is located in a beautiful small villages surrounding by green rice terrace. We got a room with an exceptional view looking out to the rice field and mountain. This is definitely one of the best view out of all of the places that I’ve been to. The room has all basic facilities and pretty comfy bed.

Cons:

The water in bathroom and toilet was so stinky that we couldn't have a shower nor washing our hands. At first we thought if we let it run longer, the smell would go away but unfortunately it didn't. We reported the issues to the staffs and were told to use the shared bathroom which looked like it hadn't been cleaned for days. the sink was dusty with brown water stain and green moss. The mirror was cracked and foggy because of water stain that I couldn't even see my reflection. We didn't expect our bathroom to be fixed straightaway since it happened at night time. But there wasn't anyone even the manager (who was informed about the issue) gave us any further updates or attention until we left. We were pretty unhappy with the way they handled the problem. It had been very inconvenient when we had to keep using the unhygienic facilities...