Mai Chau

Mai Chau is a destination for hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists every year who come to immerse themselves in nature and explore the life of the Thai ethnic group. Mai Chau attracts a significant number of tourists and backpackers due to its picturesque beauty, fresh and clean air, diverse and rich culture, and distinctive culinary offerings.

Some information about Mai Chau

Mai Chau is located in the western part of Hanoi, at the far end of Hoa Binh province, and borders Moc Chau, Son La, and Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa. The district is approximately 130 kilometers from the center of Hanoi, and it takes around 4 hours to reach by motorbike or 3 hours when traveling by car.

Mai Chau is a valley surrounded by vast limestone formations. This place boasts the natural beauty of lush green forests, meandering small streams, and the sight of ethnic people working in the fields. All of this creates an incredibly serene and beautiful scenery.

Mai Chau during the rice harvest season

Mai Chau is beautiful in its own unique way throughout the year. From February to April, it is springtime with blossoming ban flowers, and the weather is pleasantly warm. The landscape in Mai Chau undergoes changes during the summer season. May and June are the rice ripening season, with golden fields of mature rice covering the valley. July is the pour water season. The most ideal time to visit Mai Chau is from August to October, enjoying the cool autumn weather in the midst of golden rice fields bathed in the warm sunlight. By the end of October, the valley turns golden as it's time for the rice harvest. From November to January of the following year, it's the season of plum blossoms, blanketing the valley in white.

Mai Chau during the pour water season

Things to do and see in Mai Chau

Thung Khe Pass

Thung Khe Pass or Da Trang Pass is located on National Highway 6, between the areas of Tan Lac and Mai Chau. Originally a limestone mountain, it was formed during the road construction process. This area is often shrouded in clouds, creating a mystical and ethereal landscape. Along the pass, there are also stalls selling local specialties, food, and beverages for travelers to take a break.

Thung Khe pass is covered with white stones

Mai Chau Flagpole

Standing at the Mai Chau flagpole, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Mai Chau valley from a high vantage point. There's nothing quite like breathing in the fresh, cool air and taking in the picturesque sights of the mountainous forests and vast plains stretching out before your eyes. This is also an opportunity for you to capture some stunning photographs.

Mai Chau flagpole

Mo Luong Cave

Mo Luong Cave is located in the Pu Kha mountain range within Mai Chau township. The cave consists of four main chambers and is renowned for its intricate stalactite formations that resemble various shapes such as flowers, streams, and more. During the resistance against the French colonialists, this place served as a meeting and coordination point for the Vietnamese military. At the end of the journey, in the final chamber, visitors can admire an underground spring flowing into a nearby lake.

Inside Mo Luong Cave

Hang Kia - Pa Co

Hang Kia - Pa Co is situated at the northwestern gateway of Hoa Binh, at an altitude ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 meters above sea level, with nearly year-round cloud coverage. It is home to the only two Hmong villages in Hoa Binh, nestled amidst four rocky mountains. When you hike up to the "Sky's Gate," you can immerse yourself in the sea of drifting white clouds. The ideal time to capture clouds in Hang Kia - Pà Cò is from November to April.

Cloud hunting at Hang Kia

Clouds are abundant and beautiful, especially between 5 AM and 9 AM. If luck isn't on your side with the cloud cover, this place also offers an excellent vantage point for you to gaze at the panoramic view of the valley. Local residents have planted numerous flowers in the area for tourists to take photos alongside the wooden bridge. The ticket to access the cloud-hunting spot in Hang Kia is 20,000 VND.

Ban Lac

To learn about local culture, you should not miss Ban Lac, a place with hundreds of stilt houses that are up to 700 years old. This place also boasts endless expanses of paddy fields and stilt house homestays for accommodation.

Ban Lac

Ban Poom Coong

Pom Coong is known as a cultural village and a tourist destination that attracts travelers from all over the world, with nearly 70 households and over 300 residents. According to tradition, the people of Pom Coong continue to build unique stilt houses for their living. These houses rise closely together, separated only by vegetable gardens or narrow pathways. Sitting on the doorstep, one can engage in conversation and enjoy playful moments together.

Peaceful scene in Ban Poom Coong

Go Lao Waterfall

Go Lao Waterfall or Go Mu Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Mai Chau, located in Phuc San commune, approximately 15 km from Mai Chau. If you take the road from the Tòng Đậu junction towards Mộc Châu, you will easily find the way to the waterfall. You can park your car at a local house right in front of the waterfall and then hike down. The waterfall is about 20 meters high, with gushing white water, and there are large rocks at the bottom of the pool.

Go Lao Waterall

Explore Local Cultural Identity

When you visit Mai Chau, don't forget to explore the local cultural diversity and discover the unique aspects of the lives of the Thai, Dao, or H'Mong ethnic communities, and so on. During your days here, you will come across images of women sitting and weaving traditional fabrics, or men skillfully crafting bows and arrows, knives, and more.

An ethnic woman is weaving

One of the most complete experiences is listening to the young men and women of these ethnic groups singing traditional melodies, admiring them as they dance in colorful costumes, and joining them in the joyous folk performances with the lively cheraw dance.

Cheraw dance

In conclusion, Hoa Binh is not only a wonderful destination for travelers to immerse themselves in the beautiful nature but also a place to explore the beauty of the local way of life. Whether you're looking for an adventure trip or a relaxing vacation, Hoa Binh can certainly meet your needs.