vietnam jungle marathon holidays
PU LUONG, VIETNAM | 23 MAY 2020
The Vietnam Jungle Marathon’s (VJM) landscape differs greatly from the romantic, mist-covered hills, trees, and flowers of the Vietnam Trail Marathon. Instead, the trail runs through the remote jungles and sparkling golden rice terraces of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, about a 4-hour drive south from Hanoi.
Pu Luong is a pristine paradise located near Mai Chau Valley, a very popular tourist destination. Despite its proximity to Mai Chau, Pu Luong has long been considered an off-the-beaten track location within Vietnam. Expect to run through ancient jungles and around towering limestone karst formations, turquoise waterfalls, sparkling rivers, and small villages cultivating terraced rice fields on race distances of 10km, 25km, 42km, 55km, and 70km. The trail consists of flowing downhills and challenging climbs, with an elevation gain ranging from 300m – 3000m depending on the type of race selected.
VJM is also unique for its finish line, a small minority village which transforms into homestays to take in runners for the weekend, sharing homemade food, laughs, and a little bit of rice wine to celebrate the race’s end.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free trip including the 3-day VJM event, we’ve developed 2 brand-new packages perfect for bringing along friends and family to discover the beauty of Vietnam. Including laid-back pre-race activities to warm your muscles up for the big day and interesting post-race experiences to help create quality moments with your loved ones, we’ve taken care of everything so you don’t have to.
How to get to Pu Luong ?
With so many outdoor activities to enjoy, whether you’re a solo traveler, part of a couple, or with your family, Pu Luong is a must-see destination in Northern Vietnam. And since it’s near Mai Chau, a popular tourist destination with Hanoians, it’s very easy to combine remote Pu Luong with accessible Mai Chau to experience two different kinds of landscapes.
If the idea of kayaking/rafting down the Cham River or trekking and cycling through Don, Uoi, Kho Muong, and Hieu ethnic minority villages excites you, start making your travel plans today!
- From Hanoi
- From Noi Bai International Airport, it takes between 25-45 minutes to get into the city center, depending on if you’re in Tay Ho, Ba Dinh, or Hoan Kiem District
- Once you’re in the city, it will take 5 hours to reach Pu Luong from Hanoi via join-in bus which is included in all of our sport holiday packages. Private transfers can also be easily arranged with an additional surcharge
- If you’re more of a DIY person, you can reach Pu Luong by first taking a public bus from Hanoi’s My Dinh or Gia Lam Bus Station to Mai Chau. Then upon arrival in Mai Chau, board another local bus from Hoa Binh Bus Station to Pu Luong.
- Conversely, those with driver’s licenses can travel by motorbike. Keep in mind that the road from Hanoi to Mai Chau is quite busy with trucks and construction, so the ride is not very pleasant, although the winding mountain passes between Mai Chau to Pu Luong more than make up for what the first part of the journey lacks in scenery.
- From Ho Chi Minh City
- Catch a flight from Tan Son Nhat Domestic Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Domestic Airport. From there, it will take between 25-40 minutes to get into the city center, depending on which district you are in (Tay Ho, Ba Dinh, or Hoan Kiem)
- Once you’re in the city, it will take 5 hours to reach Pu Luong from Hanoi via join-in bus which is included in all of our sport holiday packages. Private transfers can also be easily arranged with an additional surcharge
Sport Holiday Packages
Our specially-made VJM sport holiday packages take all the guesswork out of complicated researching and travel arrangements by arranging all transfers and including one-of-a-kind, pre-race warm-up activities leading up to race day like early morning guided jogs through a sleeping Hanoi and laying poolside in Pu Luong with your loved ones.
Then, once the race is finished, spend time cruising the emerald-like waters of Lan Ha Bay, or really treat yourself when you beat your personal record on the trail with a tour by air of Halong Bay! See which package calls to you by checking out the detailed itineraries below, or if you have other ideas, contact one of our travel designers and let us know what you need.
Ultimate VJM Adventure
9 Days
Trip Style: Active
Pre and Post Race Exploration
All set but curious about the weather in northern Vietnam? Check out our Vietnam Weather Guide for advice on what to expect and tips on what to pack for your next VJM adventure. Want to join VJM but don’t need a package? Here are some of our favorite pre and post-race suggested activities for our independent travelers to further enjoy Vietnam’s most dynamic cities and beachside digs.