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Every June, Pu Luong dons a new, dazzling, and captivating cloak. The gently sloping terraced rice fields transform from a vibrant green to the golden hue of ripening rice, creating a magnificent natural landscape, a mesmerizing "golden season" that everyone longs to witness.
Located in the northwest of Thanh Hoa province, the Pu Luong Nature Reserve spans 17,600 hectares across the districts of Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa. It is not only blessed with a cool climate year-round but also impresses with its unique beauty: majestic primeval forests interspersed with picturesque terraced rice fields. This is a key factor attracting a large number of tourists to Pu Luong in recent years.
Located approximately 160 km from Hanoi, bordering the Vietnam-Laos border, the Pu Luong Nature Reserve has long been a destination for those who appreciate simplicity and tranquility.
The "golden season" on the terraced rice fields is captivating.
Currently, Pu Luong has officially entered its first rice harvest season of the year. This region has two main rice crops, around May-June and September-October, offering visitors the opportunity to admire the beauty of the vibrant golden rice fields at different times.
With an area of 17,662 hectares, Pu Luong is a land of dense forests, large and small streams and waterfalls, caves and mountains interspersed with peaceful villages.
The terraced rice fields in Pu Luong are characterized by their low, gently sloping terrain, surrounded by small mountain ranges, creating a unique landscape. Especially in the early morning, when clouds and mist still linger around the mountain peaks, the scenery of Pu Luong becomes magical and poetic, like a "fairyland," stirring the hearts of visitors.
The Pu Luong mountain region enjoys a cool climate, surrounded by pristine forests interspersed with picturesque terraced rice fields, especially beautiful during the harvest season. This has become a major attraction for tourists visiting Pu Luong in recent years.
Among the villages in Pu Luong, Don village is one of the most outstanding destinations this season. Most of the rice fields here have turned a brilliant golden yellow, interspersed with some fields where the villagers are busily harvesting. The name "Don" in the Thai language means "gathering," partly reflecting the close-knit spirit of the Thai and Muong ethnic communities living here. In the Thai language, Pu Luong also means "the highest peak of the village," showing respect for the highest mountain in the region.
Pu Luong embodies the quintessential beauty of the Northwest highlands with its terraced rice fields, towering mountains shrouded in clouds, and an ethereal, wild, and captivating charm.
Life in Buon Don in particular, and Pu Luong in general, is a harmonious blend of people and nature. The people of Pu Luong are renowned for their diligence in farming and harvesting, and especially for their hospitality. Terraced rice paddies, laden with ripe green rice stalks, wind around the hillsides like a verdant stream flowing past simple, rustic stilt houses, creating a vibrant picture of traditional agricultural life.
Although it's summer, the weather in Pu Luong isn't too hot, ideal for all activities. You can stroll around, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and admire the rice fields from above, taking in the breathtaking scenery of Pu Luong.
With its cool climate characteristic of the high mountains, Pu Luong has become a favorite summer getaway for many tourists. The vast, fresh, and peaceful environment is ideal for visitors to rest, relax, or enjoy hiking and driving to explore the beautiful roads. The roads to Pu Luong are also becoming increasingly convenient and easy to navigate, creating ideal conditions for independent travel.
During the harvest season, the terraced rice fields of Pu Luong are ablaze with golden hues, winding around the mountain slopes like a shimmering silk ribbon amidst the forests of Thanh Hoa province.
One of the special attractions of Bản Đôn for tourists is its peacefulness, unlike other developed tourist areas. It retains the pristine, rustic charm of a tranquil borderland. Despite shifting towards tourism, the local people persistently preserve their traditions of rice cultivation, handicrafts, and a way of life rich in ethnic identity. This offers visitors an authentic and fresh travel experience.
When visiting Buon Don, don't forget to explore and take photos at the legendary "S" shaped road. This is a small, gently winding road through rice paddies fragrant with the scent of fresh grass, possessing a unique beauty different from the famous "S" shaped road of Moc Chau. It's a simple, intimate beauty, yet no less romantic, and will surely be the perfect backdrop for memorable photos.
The legendary S-shaped road
Pu Luong is often likened to a Sapa of Thanh Hoa province, with its vast terraced rice fields nestled amidst majestic mountain ranges. Pu Luong is currently an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists. It boasts a cool climate year-round and stunning natural scenery. Many tourism services, including homestays and community-based tourism with traditional stilt houses, are increasingly being developed by locals and investors.
Pu Luong, with its stunning terraced rice fields during the harvest season, is not just a tourist destination but also a profound experience of harmony between man and nature. Every moment here is a vivid, unforgettable film.
Exploring Pu Luong this season not only provides stunning photographs but also leaves visitors with a magical sense of peace. The pristine, rustic beauty, along with the warm hospitality of the local people, will surely make you want to return. Let Pu Luong be the next stop on your travel diary.
