Pu Luong Nature Reserve, spanning more than 17,600 hectares, is nestled between Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa districts in Thanh Hoa Province. This region is blessed with untouched rainforests, expansive terraced rice fields, and rustic villages.

The air here remains fresh and cool year-round. Often referred to as the “mini Sa Pa” of western Thanh Hoa, Pu Luong has become a popular destination for eco-tourists and cultural experience seekers.

Cham Stream, hidden among the lush mountains of Pu Luong, flows through Chieng Lau village, Ban Cong commune, Ba Thuoc District. It is quickly emerging as a top travel attraction.

Gliding gently along Cham Stream, the simple bamboo rafts offer tourists a peaceful and immersive experience in nature.

Bamboo rafting is not just a leisurely activity, but also a unique way to explore the breathtaking natural scenery of the Pu Luong forest.

Ha Van Thuong, leader of the local raft team, explained that these rafts were traditionally used by locals to transport bamboo, forest produce, and for fishing. Today, they are repurposed to serve tourists.

According to Thuong, each bamboo rafting tour lasts around 45 minutes to an hour, taking visitors through winding sections of the stream, under the shade of cool forest canopies, far removed from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Along the journey, tourists pass by traditional stilt houses of the Thai ethnic group and enjoy regional specialties such as grilled chicken, sticky rice in bamboo tubes, stream fish, and ruou can (fermented rice wine sipped through straws).

“Pu Luong is beautiful year-round, but the best time for bamboo rafting on Cham Stream is from May to October,” said Thuong. “That’s when the terraced fields turn golden and the forested mountains look their most vibrant.”