Located about 70 km from Hue city center, A Luoi is an ideal destination for a two-day journey amidst mountainous nature. Visitors can swim in waterfalls, visit historical sites, explore the culture of ethnic minorities, and enjoy local specialties.

A festival held in A Luoi in 4/2025. Photo: Visit Hue

This 48-hour itinerary for exploring A Luoi is based on suggestions from local guide Minh Thien and research by VnExpress reporters.

Day 1

Traveling to A Luoi

From Hue city center, you can reach A Luoi by car or motorbike via National Highway 49. The journey is approximately 70 km and takes 2 to 2.5 hours. This winding mountain road offers scenic views, especially the section over A Co Pass. Here, you can stop to capture photos of the rolling mountains and clouds clinging to the peaks. Be mindful of freely roaming livestock and reduce your speed accordingly.

A section of National Highway 49 from Hue city to A Luoi. Photo: Hue crown A Luoi

Alternatively, you can take the Hue - A Luoi bus, which departs daily from the Southern Bus Station (Nguyen Tat Thanh Street). Tickets cost around 50,000 VND per trip, and the journey takes longer due to stops along the way.

A Nor Waterfall

The first destination is A Nor Waterfall, located northeast of Viet Tien village, Hong Kim commune (now A Luoi 1 commune). Hidden within the green forest, the waterfall cascades over moss-covered rocks, forming three tiers with heights of approximately 8 m, 60 m, and 120 m respectively. The shortest tier is at the top, while the lowest and highest tier plunges from hundreds of meters. At the base is a wide, clear, and cool pool, perfect for swimming or taking photos.

A view of A Nor Waterfall. Photo: Hue crown A Luoi

Nearby, there are huts serving traditional dishes of the Pa Co and Ta Oi ethnic groups, such as sticky rice, grilled chicken, stream fish, and wild vegetables, all with distinct mountain flavors. Guide Minh Thien recommends pre-ordering to avoid waiting after exploring the waterfall area.

Visiting A Bia Mountain

A Bia Mountain, also known as "Hamburger Hill," is a site of a fierce 10-day battle between Vietnamese forces and the US Army in 1969. It was once considered a "living hell" in the Truong Son Mountains.

Today, the former battlefield is covered in lush greenery, becoming a historical destination on the A Luoi exploration route. A 3.5 km concrete road leads from the center of Hong Bac commune (now A Luoi 2 commune) to the foot of the mountain. To reach the 937 m summit, visitors must climb 853 steps, spanning over 1.5 km.

Along the way to A Bia's summit, you'll encounter signs marking wartime remnants, such as the A Bia field hospital, a US helicopter crash site, and a bunker. These fragments of memory are preserved in the mountains for those who wish to reflect on and learn about the nation's heroic history.

Exploring the "Coi Nguon" area

Coi Nguon, located in the center of A Luoi 2 commune, is a spacious area resembling a town square. Within the grounds are miniature landscapes depicting the life of local ethnic minorities, such as a Neu pole (a tall wooden pole erected during festivals) and stilt houses, creating a unique cultural space. It's also a popular recreation area for young people.

Visitors check in at Coi Nguon in A Luoi. Photo: Hue crown A Luoi

Above this area is a small pine hill, perfect for strolling and admiring the purple mua flowers during their blooming season. You can also visit the A Nam village cultural house in Hong Van commune (A Luoi 1 commune), about 15 km from A Luoi 2 commune. This house preserves a traditional Pa Co stilt house with a wooden staircase and thatched roof.

For dinner, Minh Thien suggests A La Restaurant, a renowned eatery serving A Luoi specialties like bamboo-cooked rice, grilled meat in bamboo tubes, A Quat soup, and Can wine. Groups can book accommodations with BBQ and campfire setups for dining and socializing. Prices range from 200,000 to 500,000 VND per serving for 4 people.

Local-style dishes in A Luoi. Photo: Nguyen Phong

A Luoi now has many community-based tourism accommodations that combine nature experiences. You can also choose to stay at guesthouses and homestays in A Luoi's center, such as Hue crown A Luoi retreat, Muong A Luoi homestay, Ngoc Tram homestay, Jim House homestay Hong Ha, and Hachi homestay, with prices ranging from 500,000 to 1,500,000 VND per night.

Day 2

Breakfast and A Luoi Market

Enjoy breakfast at local eateries in A Luoi's center with specialties like snakehead fish noodle soup and beef noodle soup, priced from around 20,000 VND depending on the dish.

Alternatively, have breakfast at A Luoi Market, a bustling hub where people from surrounding highland communes bring their agricultural products to trade. The market offers local specialties like bamboo shoots, upland sticky rice, and local pork, along with distinctive spices like chili, wild pepper, and herbs. It's also a great place to buy souvenirs.

Visiting Aso Airfield and the border marker

After breakfast, head to the Aso Airfield, a wartime military base located in a large valley near A Luoi town (now A Luoi 2 commune). During the war, the US used A So valley as a tactical airfield to bolster its military power and control the western strategic corridor of the Truong Son range. Aso Airfield was recognized as a National Historical Site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2013.

Marker 666 - the border between Vietnam and Laos. Photo: Nguyen Phong

Continue along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to marker 666, the border between A Luoi (Vietnam) and Ka Luem, Sekong province (Laos). The area around the marker features pristine forests and fresh air, ideal for photos.

For lunch, stop at Huong Danh Homestay, a popular resting spot in A Luoi, offering simple meals made with wild vegetables, stream fish, and upland sticky rice. Interact with the host family and learn about their traditions and culture.

Exploring the headwaters of A Lin Stream

A Lin Stream, located in Trung Son commune (now A Luoi 1 commune), is about 500 m northeast of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. This cool, pristine destination amidst the mountains features clear water and scenic swimming areas.

The stream has several natural pools larger than 30 m2 and deeper than 2 m, surrounded by large rocks that create a peaceful, untouched setting. Along the banks are various-sized rocks and spacious wooden platforms, ideal for relaxing, chatting, and enjoying A Luoi's highland specialties. Besides swimming, visitors can also camp and paddleboard. When swimming, wear a life jacket and avoid deep areas without a guide or safety measures.

Alternative itinerary

A La Dam, A Vau Bridge, Can Te Stream, and A Roang Forest—part of the A Luoi Nature Reserve—offer diverse ecosystems and pristine landscapes. These spots are scattered across various communes, accessible via different routes. Due to the sunny weather, travel times may be longer.

Tuan Anh