Buzz
Far from the bustling urban life, Mai Châu welcomes visitors with its tranquil beauty of mountains and the rustic lifestyle of the local ethnic people. If you're seeking a place of pristine nature and peace, exploring Bản Lác for a day is an excellent suggestion to relax your mind.
1. Insights into Bản Lác - Mai Châu
Bản Lác is an ancient village located in Chiềng Châu commune, Mai Châu district, Hoa Binh province. Situated approximately 140 km west of the capital city Hanoi, Bản Lác boasts a history of over 700 years and is home to the White Thai ethnic group.
As the legend goes about Bản Lác Mai Châu in the past, most residents were confined to 5 family lineages. They primarily engaged in farming and weaving to make a living. In recent years, as discovered and cherished by tourists, Bản Lác has begun to flourish, especially in providing homestay services for tourists to rent traditional stilt houses for accommodation.
There are only about 20 homestays available for tourists here. Therefore, it can be said that Bản Lác Hoa Binh has largely preserved the majestic natural scenery of the mountains, intertwined with the poetic charm of the valley and the rice fields.
Bản Lác is where people come to seek peaceful space.
Embarking on a one-day journey to Bản Lác, travelers will immerse themselves in the natural beauty of this place, with winding mountain passes and deep ravines along the way. Moreover, the old stilt houses add to the sense of tranquility and fascination for tourists.
Bản Lác will not disappoint travelers, especially those seeking to explore the vast mountains, lush green valleys to enjoy nature, and relax amidst the misty veil and cool air here.
Recently, there has been a trend among young people to go on one-day trips to Bản Lác to experience the rustic mountain village atmosphere before returning to urban life.
2. Getting to Bản Lác
From Hanoi, travelers only need about 3 hours to reach here, making it very suitable for a one-day trip to Bản Lác. To get to Bản Lác, travelers should divide the journey into 2 parts. From Hanoi to Hoa Binh City, then from Hoa Binh City to Bản Lác, Mai Châu.
2.1 Route to Bản Lác from Hanoi
Specifically, travelers departing from Hanoi follow the Thang Long Boulevard onto the Hòa Lạc - Hòa Bình expressway to reach Hoa Binh City.
After a rest stop, travelers continue from Hoa Binh City to Mai Châu and Bản Lác. From here, travelers ascend the Cun Pass and Thung Khe Pass. Along the way, the Thung Khe Pass unfolds with treacherous yet majestic terrain.
Travelers can pause to check in at Thung Khe, overlooking the serene Mai Châu valley with fields dotted with small houses. Passing Thung Khe, travelers will continue for another stretch to reach Bản Lác.
2.2
Transportation Options
Regarding transportation, travelers can choose between traveling by personal motorcycle or car, or by bus. For those who love exploration and enjoying scenic routes, motorcycles are the preferred choice.
Additionally, modern limousine buses are an optimal choice for travelers who prefer to relax and rest during the journey while still being able to enjoy the scenery. Nowadays, these types of buses have many routes picking up at requested locations and returning within the day, suitable for one-day trips to Bản Lác.
3. Which Season is Best to Visit Bản Lác?
Bản Lác - Mai Châu, nestled in the Northwest mountains, boasts a mild climate throughout the year. Therefore, travelers can visit Bản Lác in any season to enjoy the cool and fresh air amidst the mountains and forests.
Travelers feel like they've stepped into a flower forest when visiting Bản Lác in spring.
If possible, travelers should visit Bản Lác in spring, when the mountainous landscape awakens to welcome the new year. During this time, Bản Lác Mai Châu is adorned with the white hues of Bauhinia variegata, apricot blossoms, and plum blossoms.
4. What to Do in Bản Lác?
4.1 Admire the Natural Beauty of Bản Lác
In contrast to the majestic landscape of mountains and valleys on the way from Thung Khe to Mai Châu, Bản Lác presents itself to travelers as a rustic village with sprawling rice fields, distant hills shrouded in mist and clouds.
Bản Lác captivates visitors with its stilt houses nestled among the hills. From these houses, travelers can gaze upon the lush green rice fields like a giant carpet or the hills veiled behind the mist.
The towering mountains stand behind the simple stilt houses.
Travelers can rent bicycles and cycle along the village roads to enjoy the fresh air here. Additionally, they can also marvel at the waterfalls and admire the majestic combination of mountains and water.
4.2 Explore Hang Chiều
Moreover, travelers can explore the famous Hang Chiều nearby. Hang Chiều is a must-visit spot in Bản Lác. Visitors can explore the two floors of Hang Chiều with numerous stunning stalactites thousands of years old in the one-day trip to Bản Lác tour.
To reach Hang Chiều, travelers have to climb 1200 steps, along the way shaded by refreshing Xà Pùng trees. On the first floor, the space of Hang Chiều is quite spacious beside the stalactites that have been eroded and shaped for thousands of years.
Here, travelers can also admire the white limestone, characteristic of Hang Chiều, formed by gradually descending stalactites, creating shapes resembling coral reefs.
Hang Chiều is exceptionally beautiful thanks to the light shining on the stalactites and white limestone.
On the second floor, visitors will encounter more complex and unique formations, such as the statue of a Thai girl. Additionally, when the light shines into the cave, it creates beautiful golden and silver hues. This is an ideal place for travelers to take artistic backlit photos.
4.3 Immerse in the life of the local people in Bản Lác Mai Châu
When talking about Bản Lác, one cannot overlook the activity of bonfire camping at night. The locals in Bản Lác are known for their friendliness, always warmly welcoming tourists. Travelers will have the opportunity to experience bonfire camping in the evening with the local people, singing and dancing together, and engaging in sharing activities around the crackling fire.
The bonfire camping area is located in the vacant land near Bản Lác 2 bridge - a place used for kite flying and organizing activities that embrace the highland culture, such as traditional dances,...
Furthermore, Bản Lác has long been renowned for its brocade weaving craft. Therefore, when visiting Bản Lác for a day trip, don't miss the opportunity to take photos in ethnic costumes, especially Thai ethnic costumes.
4.4 Experience the Bản Lác market
Highland markets are an exciting experience that tourists must venture into the Northern mountainous regions to encounter. These markets typically start in the early morning, as early as 5 a.m.
Bản Lác is also known among travelers for its fair pricing, unlike other tourist destinations.
Browsing through the highland market, tourists will find an abundance of specialty products from the mountainous region. Particularly, they might be amazed by the colorful array of items such as scarves, clothing, traditional brocade dresses, Thai skirts, bamboo flutes, crossbows,… all at reasonable prices.
5. Essential tips for a day trip to Bản Lác
Most residents in Bản Lác live in stilt houses. Therefore, there are many homestays in Bản Lác, Mai Châu designed in traditional architecture but equipped with modern amenities.
However, there aren't many stilt house homestays in Bản Lác. Travelers interested in this type of accommodation should book in advance via phone to avoid fully booked situations, especially during peak seasons.
Typically, the price for a stilt house homestay for a group of 3 - 4 people falls around 350,000 VND for the entire group.
Experience the unique stilt house homestay when visiting Bản Lác, Mai Châu.
Bản Lác offers bicycle rental services, convenient for travelers who want to explore the hills, fields, and surrounding areas. The usual price is 15,000 VND per bike per day. Travelers should try this experience to visit places like Bản Văn, Bản Pom Coọng, Hang Mỏ Luông, Hang Chiều, and more.
Bản Lác is a recently discovered destination. However, thanks to its pristine hills, majestic nature, and rustic villages, it has attracted travelers seeking tranquility who are reluctant to leave. Travelers interested in a 1-day tour to Bản Lác can call the Mytour hotline at 19003398 for advice on the most budget-friendly Mai Châu - Mộc Châu tours.
