Buzz
Traveling to Mai Chau is increasingly attracting many tourists due to the natural beauty and culture of the mountainous people. While it may not have many prominent tourist destinations like other Northern places, Mai Chau is still a must-visit destination for many backpackers and travelers. Now, let's quickly pocket these Mai Chau Hòa Bình travel experiences to explore the unique features of this land!
I. Introduction to Mai Chau
The picturesque scenery of the villages in Mai Chau (photo by ST)
Located west of Hanoi, Mai Chau is the westernmost district of Hoa Binh, adjacent to Moc Chau in Son La and Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa. Approximately 130 km from Hanoi, equivalent to a 3-hour car drive or a 4-hour motorbike ride, Mai Chau is a very suitable destination for short day trips or weekend getaways.
Not only captivating tourists with the rustic beauty of the mountains and forests, the charm of the local belles, but also Mai Chau is appealing with the warm hospitality of the people. When you come to Mai Chau Valley, you will have a journey to explore the fantastic beauty, culture, and cuisine of this place.
II. Ideal time to visit Mai Chau
With the topography of a valley, Mai Chau's climate is always cool and pleasant. Summer is not too hot, and winter is not too cold, so tourists can confidently visit Mai Chau at any time of the year. However, Mai Chau is most beautiful during two periods
– From October to December: When embarking on a Mai Chau trip during this time, the weather is quite pleasant, and visitors can immerse themselves in the peach and plum blossom gardens of Mai Chau. This is also considered an ideal time to visit Mai Chau chosen by many flower lovers
– March and April: According to many shared experiences about Mai Chau Hoa Binh travel, this is the time when ethnic communities organize many festivals, and especially tourists have the opportunity to admire the ban flowers – the characteristic flowers of this region.
Golden sunshine and lush green grass in Mai Chau (Photo: Collected)
III. Means of transportation
You can choose one of the two types of transportation to get to Mai Chau:
– Traveling to Mai Chau by motorbike: When choosing to travel by motorbike, you can take the route from Hanoi – Xuan Mai – Luong Son – Hoa Binh. This is the shortest and fastest route to Mai Chau. Alternatively, you can also travel via QL 12B, but it will take more time and there are fewer attractions along the way.
– Traveling to Mai Chau by car: Currently, there are various types of trips to Mai Chau with different schedules. You can go to My Dinh or Giap Bat bus stations to catch a bus to Mai Chau and stop at the Tong Dau intersection. From here, you can take a motorbike taxi along the road to the center of Mai Chau valley for about 110,000 VND/person.
IV. Attractive tourist destinations in Mai Chau
1. Thung Khe Pass (White Rock Pass)
Thung Khe Pass has an altitude of about 1,000m above sea level, located on National Highway 6 and on the way from Hanoi to Mai Chau. With mountainous roads, winding and twisting, this is a favorite route for backpackers. Standing here, you can gaze at the panoramic view of the valley at the foot of the pass, as well as enjoy ethnic dishes sold along the road such as sesame-dipped bamboo-cooked rice, boiled sugarcane... Especially, a day at Thung Khe Pass feels like experiencing all four seasons.
Panoramic view of the valley from Thung Khe Pass (Photo: ST)
2. Lac Village Mai Chau
Ban Lac attracts many tourists with its lush green bamboo forests, vast rice fields, and traditional stilt houses nestled closely together.
If you have limited time and only one day in Mai Chau, visit Ban Lac to admire the colorful ethnic stalls, professional services, delicious food, and clean village without any hustle and bustle.
3. Chieu Cave
This is a national monument located in Mai Chau. To enter the cave, you have to climb 1200 stone steps and ascend over 700m. During each evening, when the sunlight shines into the cave, it illuminates the sparkling layers of stalactites. The entrance fee is 10,000d/person, and you can ride a bike to the foot of the mountain, then park the bike and climb up on foot.
4. Mo Luong Cave
Situated in the Pù Khà mountain range, about 2 km from Ban Lac, Mo Luong Cave is an ideal destination for those who enjoy exploration and the thrill of new experiences. The cave is also known by another name given by the Thai people, Hang Bó Luông (meaning the large water mouth).
Mo Luong Cave consists of 4 main chambers, famous for its stalactite system forming unique shapes. After finishing the exploration journey in Mo Luong Cave, at the last chamber, you will witness an underground stream flowing into a nearby lake.
5. Exhibition of Thai Cultural Artifacts – Mai Chau
Exhibition of Thai Cultural Artifacts – Mai Chau (Photo: ST)
This location is a creation of Mr. Kieu Van Kien. For the past 10 years, whenever he hears about old artifacts, unused items, he immediately sets out to collect them. Not only around Mai Chau, but Mr. Kien also travels to various provinces such as Son La, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and even across the border to Laos or any region where the Thai people reside. His mission is to explore, collect, and promote ancient cultural values for people to appreciate and preserve for future generations.
6. Ba Khan
The breathtaking scenery of Ba Khan resembling a paradise on Earth (Photo: ST)
Ba Khan is a small commune of Mai Chau, located along the shore of Hoa Binh reservoir. With its majestic beauty, clear water, and rolling hills surrounding the lake, it is often compared to a miniature version of Ha Long Bay in Hoa Binh province.
This is also the headwater area of the hydroelectric reservoir, where you can rent a boat to explore the lake. The boat rental price is around 300,000 VND – 350,000 VND per hour. Tourism here is still underdeveloped and relatively untouched.
7. Go Lao Waterfall
Go Lao Waterfall, located in Phuc San commune about 15 km from Mai Chau town, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Mai Chau. From the Tong Dau intersection heading towards Moc Chau, you will easily find the way to the waterfall.
The majestic beauty of Go Lao Waterfall in Mai Chau (Photo: ST)
If you have a 2-day-1-night Mai Chau trip, Go Lao Waterfall will be an interesting destination for you. This is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Mai Chau. About 15km from the Tong Dau intersection, you won't spend much time finding the way to the waterfall. However, be careful on rainy days as the dirt road here can be slippery and prone to falls.
V. What to Eat in Mai Chau? Mai Chau Specialties
1. Lam Rice
This is an extremely famous dish not only in Mai Chau but in all the villages where ethnic people reside. This dish is simple, made with young bamboo tubes filled with rice and grilled over an open fire, served with sesame salt or grilled pork...
Lam rice in Mai Chau (Photo: ST)
2. Grilled Sticky Rice
When in Mai Chau, savoring sticky rice made by Thai women allows you to fully appreciate its delicious flavor. The Thai people always choose glutinous rice to make sticky rice, which is grown on the terraced fields in the Mai Chau valley.
The glutinous rice is soaked for several hours to become soft before being used for making sticky rice. Thai women do not cook sticky rice in a pot like the Kinh people but instead put the soaked rice in a wooden tray, allowing it to steam rather than boil. The preparation requires a lot of effort and the skill of the cook. After it becomes fragrant, the sticky rice is taken out, placed in a basket; however, at this point, the rice is not yet fully cooked. It is stirred thoroughly in the basket for a while before being transferred back to the wooden tray for another round of cooking until the rice is done.
Multicolored sticky rice (Photo: ST)
3. Enjoying Smoked Pork
What's interesting about Mai Chau tourism? Well, don't miss out on this delicious smoked pork! Smoked pork can be considered the pinnacle of Moc Chau cuisine with its charming rustic flavor that captivates even the most discerning diners. People often prepare smoked pork in various ways, but no matter how it's made, this dish always preserves the unique taste of the Northwest mountainous region.
Irresistible plate of smoked pork (Photo: ST)
4. Wild Bamboo Shoots
Wild bamboo shoots are a specialty of the Mai Chau region and are always available in households. The locals often gather bamboo shoots from the forest to pickle or sun-dry for later consumption. Many tourists humorously call this dish 'Love' because, upon first taste, the bitterness of the bamboo shoots is apparent, but as you swallow, the delightful sweet flavor of the bamboo water emerges.
5. Hill Chicken
Hill chicken is a freely roaming breed, living in gardens, on hills, and in forests, nurtured naturally. Anyone who has tasted authentic Mai Chau hill chicken cannot forget its delightful aroma and distinctively flavorful meat, unlike any other chicken breed. To savor this hill chicken at its best, locals prefer boiling it just right, keeping the meat firm and crispy. Dip it in a mixture of salt, chili, and lime leaves, while the broth, boiled to sweetness, serves as a perfect complement to hot rice.
VI. Mai Chau Hotels
1. Mai Chau Lodge
− Prices range from 1,400,000 VND to 3,750,000 VND
Mai Chau Lodge, a 3-star hotel located in Mai Chau town, Hoa Binh city, promises a fascinating retreat for travelers. Guests will be close to nature, exploring the mountainous forests and valleys surrounding the hotel.
Mai Chau Lodge features 16 spacious and well-equipped rooms with modern furniture. All rooms have windows to welcome the outdoor natural air, broad balconies, and sturdy safety railings for guests to admire the beautiful scenery around the hotel. The hotel has a private garden for guests to stroll and enjoy the breeze. Additionally, the hotel provides various services such as wifi, laundry, bicycle rental, and more.
2. Mai Chau Ecolodge
− Prices range from 1,900,000 VND to 2,900,000 VND
Mai Chau Ecolodge is a 4-star standard hotel nestled in the Mai Chau Valley, Hoa Binh, surrounded by the serene nature of Pòm Pu hills, providing a tranquil escape from the outside hustle and bustle.
The design of Mai Chau Ecolodge follows the traditional style of the Thai ethnic group. The hotel comprises 21 independent bungalows, totaling 40 rooms. Each room is designed with simplicity, rustic charm, yet modern and sophisticated, allowing guests to relax and immerse themselves in the pristine nature, enjoying the picturesque beauty of the countryside.
3. Sol Bungalows
− Prices range from 3,000,000 VND to 6,300,000 VND
As a 4-star standard hotel, Sol Bungalows provides a sense of relaxation and delight while embracing the beauty of nature. The hotel offers various amenities such as a restaurant, swimming pool, meeting rooms, sauna, and more.
VII. Some Tips for Traveling to Mai Chau
– Before heading to Mai Chau, ensure you have all necessary personal items such as toothbrush, face towel, hygiene essentials, and required medications.
– Obtain permission to visit Thai ethnic houses. Only with their consent can you enter. Also, when visiting Thai households, be mindful of their ancestral altar to avoid turning your back or putting your feet towards it.
– Prepare neat and convenient clothing for easy movement. Mai Chau can get chilly and foggy in the evening and night, so even if you're visiting in the summer, consider bringing a long-sleeved shirt.
Here are the most detailed Mai Chau travel tips compiled by Vntrip.vn. We hope these pieces of information will help you have truly enjoyable moments in the 'Northwest gem.'
