Mai Chau

Vietnam – Getting to know Mai Chau

Mai Chau Valley is within the stunningly beautiful, mountainous region of Hoa Binh Province, 135km southwest of Hanoi. Many of Vietnam’s 54 indigenous ethnic minority groups live in the region, making the local Sunday market a colourful place to be! The region provides an excellent base for light trekking or cycling, thanks to the picturesque valleys and rice paddy terraces, the friendly locals, and the many small villages that make ideal destinations to break from your day’s activities.

Mai Chau is growing in popularity due to its convenient location, 4 hours by car from central Hanoi, offering the perfect retreat for visitors keen to escape the busy city streets of Hanoi and elsewhere in Vietnam.

What to do in Mai Chau

Get on your bike or take a hike, through picturesque farmland and lush natural landscapes. Pu Luong Nature Reserve stretches from Mai Chau Valley to Cuc Phuong National Park to the south east, and is rich in both cultural interests and wildlife.

Rest and rejuvenate. Mai Chau Eco Lodge complements its rural surrounds perfectly, with a handful of thatched hilltop stilt-houses to accommodate guests, and pleasant facilities (including a scenic swimming pool) that are a cut above those offered elsewhere in the area.

Alternatively, homestay accommodation can be arranged in a minority-tribe village for the more adventurous.

“Mai Chau is a great alternative to the hills of Sapa – it’s so easily accessible. The Mai Chau Eco Lodge is very special indeed, offering the perfect base to explore the region.”