Pu Luong Nature Reserve is located in Thanh Hoa, North-Central Vietnam. This place was once an attractive green retreat that nature lovers come to relax. The name “Pu Luong Retreat” is a magnet that attracts tourists to the North and enjoy happy homestays to make their holidays go the best. It includes the highlights of mountains, limestones, valleys, rivers and primeval forests creating an exquisite paradise. Let’s find out complete information about Pu Luong Nature Reserve with the Vietnam Travel Guide!

Scientific details about Pu Luong nature reserve

• Pu Luong is located in two districts of Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc, northwest of Thanh Hoa province. The northeast of the site borders the districts of Mai Chau, Tan Lac and Lac Son of Hoa Binh province. Its map coordinates are 20°21′ – 20°34′ North, 105°02′ – 105°20′ East
• Its terrain consists of two parallel mountain ranges that have completely different terraces and run from northwest to southeast and are separated by a valley in the center. Inside this valley there are a number of residential households and large areas of agricultural land. Its elevation ranges from 60 to 1,667m.
• The nature reserve covers an area of ​​17,662 hectares.
• Traditionally, Pu Luong is not mentioned in any of the Prime Minister’s decisions regarding Special-use forests (MARD, 1997). However, Pu Luong has been included in the proposal as a special-use forest in Vietnam to be established by 2010, with an area of ​​17,662 ha (FPD 1998).
• In 1998, a sponsored joint venture was made to propose the establishment of Pu Luong Nature Reserve with an area of 17,662 ha, of which 13,320 ha strict safety space and 4,343 ha forest restoration space (Anon) , 1998a).
• In 1999, that joint venture was approved by MARD on 9 January under Decision No. 556/BNN-KH. Then, it was accepted by Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee on March 27, 1999 according to Decision No. 495/QD-UB.
• On the basis of that approval, the Nature Reserve Management Board was established on April 24, 1999 under Decision No. 472/QD-UB (Thanh Hoa FPD, 2000). The board consists of 21 staff members and 03 forest protection stations.

Biodiversity and conservation objects in Pu Luong nature reserve

Two survey packages were carried out in Pu Luong in 1997 and 1998 (Anon. 1998a, Le Trong Trai and Do Tuoc 1998). Part of the packages was to analyze the presence of Trachypithecus delacouri (white rump langur) which is a critically endangered langur in north central Vietnam. Since 2003, other studies in the “Pu Luong – Cuc Phuong Limestone Landscape Conservation Project” have completed surveys of plant species (minimum 1,109 outlined), animals and plants. Mammals, fish, butterflies, mollusks and invertebrates inhabit the area. cave.

The primary forest in Pu Luong Nature Reserve in Thanh Hoa is particularly distinguished by its seasonal tropical evergreen forest. Five different forest subtypes exist as a result of diverse tops and bottoms: (1) lowland broadleaf forests on limestone mountains (600-700m); (2) low broadleaf forest on sandstone and clay (600-1,000m); (3) broadleaf mountain at the back of the karst (700-950m); (4) mountain coniferous forest on the back side of limestone mountains (700-850m); (5) Basalt back broadleaf forest (1,000-1,650m). In addition, it preserves bamboo forests, shrubs and secondary agricultural land (Averyanov et al. 2003).

The fauna has 84 species of mammals (24 species of bats), 162 species of birds, 55 species of fish, 28 species of reptiles and 13 species of amphibians ((Anon. 1998a, Dang Ngoc Can 2003, Mai Dinh Yen et al. 2003,) Vu Dinh Thong 2003) In addition, the insect fauna including at least 158 ​​butterfly species, 96 terrestrial mollusk species and 12 special mollusc species are only found in the area. Normally, Pu Luong Khu Bao Nature Vietnam has wildlife that is identical to that of Cuc Phuong National Park located 25 km to the southeast along limestone ridges ‘inaccessible at Cuc Phuong.

Regarding conservation issues, the main threats to biodiversity in Pu Luong are deforestation and illegal clearing for agriculture, wildlife hunting, forest burning and mining. products, according to Thanh Hoa Forest Protection Department (2000). To deal with and minimize threats, the Pu Luong Nature Reserve Management Board has the initiative to build 02 more guard stations, banning people from bringing weapons to the site by cooperating with the authorities. local people, raising the awareness of environmental protection of local people, creating normal ideas about forests, safety in indigenous villages, 100 ha new forest vegetation in bare land in the mountains Southwest, etc.

Ecotourism in Pu Luong nature reserve

160km from Hanoi and a 4-hour drive southwest of the capital, Pu Luong is a beautiful ecological place to visit. Hanoi Excursions often include a gentle ride and homestay at Pu Luong Retreat, making it all the more lovely for visitors. An interesting thing about this verdant resort spot is that “Pu Luong” is a Thai ethnic name, which means the highest peak in the area. Along with the cultural experiences in Thai villages, Pu Luong is also rich with pure accents that always satisfy nature lovers.

On the journey to Pu Luong, you discover magnificent limestone caves. Two of the most attractive places for ecotourism must be Son Ba Muoi (Lung Cao commune) and Pu Luong peak 1,700m high. Above all, make sure you stay at a homestay in Pu Luong Nature Reserve, which is said to be one of the key romantic and atmospheric sites in Vietnam. The surroundings are so elegant that you will marvel at the terraced rice fields that cascade down the mountainside into crystal clear rivers, the wooden and thatched houses, the limestone peaks that rise above the clouds, and more. Verify your favorite accommodation as there are several options on this Web site, from country categories to “store style” accommodation.

Let’s explore Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a truly charming nook of Vietnam, and discover for yourself a wonderful retreat to return to anytime when body and mind need to be pampered!