1. Bicycle

This type of bicycle tourism is increasingly chosen by many tourists, especially foreign tourists, thanks to its environmental friendliness and flexibility in use. Nowadays, many Vietnamese tourists also choose bicycles to explore Mai Chau, especially young groups of tourists and families to increase their connection through physical exercise.
Riding on the trails in Mai Chau, visitors will be able to see all the beauty of nature and people of Mai Chau in the most authentic way. Na Chieng Homestay provides free bicycles for guests staying at the resort. For families with young children, the resort will provide child safety seats.

2. Electric car

The electric car is like a small car but runs on a battery engine with a maximum speed of 25 km/h. With this type of car, visitors will not have to move too much and also have the opportunity to take pictures of Mai Chau from the car. The car has 3 rows of seats for about 6 adults, including the driver. This type of car has no doors so visitors can comfortably enjoy the scenery, has a low chassis and runs at a slow speed so it is safe. At Na Chieng Hoamestay, you can register for an electric car service to visit the villages in Mai Chau for the whole family.

3. Walking

Another way to explore Mai Chau is by foot. You can walk from the resort and resort to nearby villages such as Ban Lac, Ban Pom Coong or see the rice fields around the resort. However, due to your limited strength and speed, it is difficult for you to visit further destinations in Mai Chau.

4. Taxi/Private car

Hiring a taxi may seem a bit boring because you will be taken to the destination as quickly as possible and there is little chance to linger to visit the scenic spots due to the small roads in the villages of Mai Chau. However, in hot weather, families with young children and the elderly, this is probably the most convenient way to travel. You can also visit further destinations such as Ba Khan, about 30km away. Many families also travel to Mai Chau by private car.

5. Motorcycle

Motorbikes are also a quick way to travel for tourists, especially young tourists. Many young people choose to travel by motorbike to Mai Chau or rent a motorbike right in Mai Chau.

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1. Thung Khe Pass

Before entering Mai Chau, you will pass Thung Khe Pass. Don’t rush, stop here to admire the beautiful scenery of Mai Chau from afar like a colorful painting and take some special photos next to the white hill. Considered the Northern European hill of Mai Chau, coming here you will feel like you are lost in a European scene with the white space of rocky mountains and the surrounding fog.

The weather at Thung Khe Pass is beautiful all year round. When the sun rises, the first rays of sunlight here are covered with early morning mist, at noon the sunlight shines brightly like summer, but not hot but gentle like autumn, at night it is freezing cold like winter. This is a check-in point you should not miss when traveling to Mai Chau.

2. Thung Nai Port

About 20km from the center of Hoa Binh city, Thung Nai is considered as “Ha Long on land”. The beauty of Thung Nai is a combination of the Da River and majestic mountains, suitable for short and fun weekend trips. Coming to Thung Nai, you will be able to row a boat to see the Da River, participate in Thac Bo Floating Market, visit Ba Chua Thac Bo Temple…

The first impression of this beautiful Mai Chau landscape is the peacefulness like a dream, both wild and romantic, lyrical. On rainy days, the lake surface is covered with the red color of alluvium, while Thung Nhai is covered by nature with a magical turquoise color. Together, enjoy the feeling of complete lightness and relaxation in the charming, peaceful natural space filled with green.

3. Mai Chau Flagpole

After passing Thung Khe Pass, don’t rush to Mai Chau, but stop by the Flagpole. From the Flagpole, you will see the whole Mai Chau valley with white clouds hovering over the mountainside, as if you were lost in a fairyland. Coming here without checking in at this Mai Chau tourist spot is a real pity!

4. Ban Lac

When talking about Mai Chau tourism, it is impossible not to mention Ban Lac, the most beautiful village in Mai Chau. Instead of being a bustling or magnificent place, Ban Lac converges all the characteristics of rusticity, nature and friendliness. This is where the cultural identity of the White Thai people is strongly imprinted, 5 Thai ethnic families living in Ban Lac are Ha, Lo, Vi, Mac, Loc. The village has existed for 700 years until now. Coming here, you will admire the vast rice fields, interspersed with villages, enjoy and choose your own souvenir brocade items.

5. Mu Waterfall

Mu Waterfall is located on the majestic Truong Son mountain range, at an altitude of over 1000m in Mu hamlet, Tu Do commune, Lac Son district – Hoa Binh. When mentioning this beautiful Mai Chau landscape, many people still have to dream about its beauty, but when they get there, many people have to exclaim because of the wild beauty that only belongs to this place. The waterfalls pour down white across the sky like a fairyland. Coming here, you will feel the coolness of the stream in the mountains and forests, occasionally appearing a layer of opaque mist due to water vapor meeting the wind. What are you waiting for, come to Mai Chau’s tourist destination, Mu Waterfall!

6. Pom Coong Village

Another attractive Mai Chau landscape is Pom Coong Village. Pom Coong Village is located in Mai Chau Town, Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province. In Thai, Pom means hill, Coong means drum, Pom Coong means village of hills located on a large drum, implying rice fields. Coming here, you will feel the beauty of nature, the cultural features of the Thai people, or the scenery of stilt houses typical of the Thai people. And above all, the friendly people, Thai dances, and songs echoing throughout the mountains and forests seem to invite tourists to Mai Chau tourism.

7. Mai Chau Ecolodge

Mai Chau Ecolodge is a 4-star resort with 20 bungalows located on Na Thia hill. Coming here, you can see some beautiful scenery of Mai Chau such as rice fields or villages hidden behind the tree canopy. This is one of the most beautiful selfie spots in Mai Chau. Ecolodge also has a swimming pool and a large restaurant on the top of the hill, suitable for you to enjoy relaxing moments when traveling to Mai Chau. In addition, you can try drinking wine of the Thai ethnic people, enjoy traditional Thai dances, walk – cycle to explore nature or practice making local dishes yourself… through which, you will understand more and feel a part of the culture of the Thai people.

8. Nhot Village

Like other villages in Mai Chau, the people of Nhot Village often live in places with rivers and streams, building houses against the hills, with vast fields in front of the house.
The houses here are often built in the traditional architectural style of the Thai people. The roofs are thatched, rattan leaves or bricks. The floors are built of bamboo or bamboo and are about 2m above the ground with sturdy wooden pillars. When you come here, you should wander around to explore more brocade shops and find a favorite item for yourself or as a gift for friends and relatives. Coming to this Mai Chau tourist destination, you will have the opportunity to try your hand at weaving, pounding rice, sifting rice, making wine, feeding livestock, learning to make traditional dishes and watching performances of traditional musical instruments.

9. Hang Chieu

One of the beautiful sights of Mai Chau that you must do when you come is to explore Hang Chieu. Hang Chieu is a famous tourist destination in Mai Chau, from Mai Chau town you have to conquer 1200 stone steps to reach the cave. Located on the top of Pu Kha limestone mountain range, Hang Chieu is a cave formed from stalactites. The name Hang Chieu was given by the locals, because in the afternoon, the sunlight shines directly into the cave, the rays of light illuminate the splendor of each stalactite, creating a beautiful scene.
Hang Chieu is a cave formed from stalactites. To reach Hang Chieu, you have to conquer 1200 steps. The rays of light illuminate the splendor of each stalactite.
Hang Chieu is quite large, divided into two floors, the cave is relatively flat, airy… The stalactites in the cave appear extremely vivid, sparkling with many shapes. The deeper you go, the more overwhelmed you will be by the majestic beauty of each stalactite competing with each other in color. All blend together into the beautiful natural picture of Moc Chau tourism.

10. Go Lao Waterfall

Go Lao Waterfall, also known as Go Mu Waterfall, is a beautiful waterfall located in Phuc San Commune, Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province. This place is about 15 km from Mai Chau town. On the way to Go Lao, you will definitely be attracted by the natural scenery on both sides of the road. The small and pretty Muong houses, the rows of corn growing among the cat-ear rocks, the majestic and poetic Ba Khan Lake or the straight bamboo forests.

Go Lao Waterfall is located right at the foot of the mountain, close to the edge of the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Plant. The waterfall pours down white, foaming the ravine like a symphony in the mountains and forests. An attractive Mai Chau tourist destination, worth exploring.

The post Discover 10 beautiful virtual living spots in Mai Chau Hoa Binh appeared first on Nà Chiềng Homestay.

The fair has a scale of about 100 booths, displaying and introducing more than 150 lines of agricultural products, processed foods, handicrafts, handicrafts, and typical OCOP products of Mai Chau district, Center Promotion of investment, trade and tourism in 4 districts of Da Bac, Tan Lac, Kim Boi and Cao Phong.

The fair is an activity with practical economic, political and social significance to promote economic relations, introduce products in ethnic minority areas and expand cooperation with localities in the province. as well as across the country. Thereby creating conditions for businesses, cooperatives, and production and business establishments to have opportunities to access the market, reach consumers, find partners, and expand domestic product consumption markets. outside the province; Build and develop products and goods with competitive advantages; Promote trade, production, and circulation of goods, contributing to socio-economic development in Hoa Binh province and Mai Chau district in particular.

The fair takes place from October 11 – 15, 2024. Within the framework of the fair, activities take place: traditional handicraft demonstrations, art programs, cultural exchanges of localities and art performances with the participation of many artists. Through the fair, we aim to promote tourism, exchange cultural characteristics of localities, and actively contribute to preserving, preserving, promoting and spreading the good traditional cultural values ​​of our people. ethnic groups in Hoa Binh province.

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1. Time to travel to Mai Chau

Mai Chau is suitable for traveling in all seasons of the year, you can refer to the beauty of Mai Chau in each season of the year below:

November – February: Winter, the air is cold, peach and plum flowers bloom in a corner of Mai Chau.

March – April: The weather is cool and pleasant, the season of Ban flower

May – August: The climate is also quite cool, there are no flowers but there are plums and peaches for you to pick. In early September, there is Independence Day, the period when thousands of domestic and foreign tourists come here. 2. How to get to Mai Chau?

Mai Chau is about 140km far from Hanoi and 60 km far From Hoa Binh to the northwest, to move to this highland district of Hoa Binh, you can choose to go by motorbike or by bus to Mai Chau.

By private vehicle

From Hanoi to Mai Chau you can follow 2 routes:

• Route 1: Center of Hanoi – Nguyen Trai – Ba La (Ha Dong) – Xuan Mai – National Highway 6 – Thung Khe Pass – Tong Dau Crossroads – Mai Chau
• Route 2: Hanoi Center – Tran Duy Hung – Thang Long Boulevard – Xuan Mai – National Highway 6 – Thung Khe Pass -Tong Dau Crossroads – Mai Chau

By bus

From Hanoi, visitors can catch the bus at My Dinh and Giap Bat bus stations (with a ticket price of about 100,000 – 120,000) to Tong Dau junction and then take a motorbike taxi to the town about 5km away.

Some bus company to Mai Chau:

HOANG THAO (My Dinh – Mai Chau) – Phone: 0914 688533 – 0218 386829

HA LOAN (My Dinh – Mai Chau) – Phone: 0912490679

HOANG KIM (Hoa Binh – Mai Chau) – Phone: 0975 996706

3. Interesting places in Mai Chau

Thung Khe Pass

Belonging to National Highway 6, Hoa Binh province, Thung Khe pass has an altitude of about 1,000m above sea level. Here, visitors can enjoy the rustic dishes sold by the roadside such as boiled corn, boiled sugarcane, lam rice dotted with sesame, … Moreover, you can zoom in on the whole valley at the foot of the pass from the top of Thung Khe pass, here is known as one of the most beautiful places to see the scenery in Hoa Binh province.

Mai Chau flagpole

Passing through Thung Khe pass, before going down to Tong Dau intersection to go to Mai Chau center, there is one point that you cannot miss, it is the Mai Chau flagpole. In the past, this area was just an empty space where you could enjoy the whole view of Mai Chau from, later this area is poured into concrete and erected with a flagpole as a small symbol for you to write down the beautiful moments when coming to Mai Chau.

Lac village

Lac village is more than 700 years old, the people in Lac village are mainly Black Thai who live from one generation to the next, with the main occupation of upland rice cultivation and brocade weaving. This place is like a gift from the mountains and forests for those who love peace and quiet to immerse themselves in the green and spacious space of Hoa Binh.

Currently, Lac village has nearly 30 spacious and airy homestays to stay for tourists. Every house on stilts in Lac village is tall, spacious and clean, keeping the ancient architecture. Inside each house is fully equipped with blankets, cushions and pillows that are folded neatly.

Pom Coong village

Coming to Pom Coong village, you will surely be amazed by the beauty of the vast fields.

Mo Luong Cave

Located in the Pu Kha mountain range of Mai Chau town, about 2 km by road from Lac village, Mo Luong Cave is an ideal tourist destination for those who love to explore and find strange feelings when coming to Mai Chau. Mo Luong Cave also has another name given by the White Thai people as Bo Luong. Bo Luong means big water mine. Mo Luong cave consists of 4 main caves, famous for the system of stalactites forming many unique shapes. During the resistance war against the French, this place used to be the meeting base of our army and people. After finishing the journey to explore Mo Luong cave, at the last cave, visitors will admire an underground spring flowing into a nearby lake.

Chieu Cave

Chieu Cave is located on the top of the Pu Kha limestone mountain range. The name Hang Chieu was given by Mai Chau people, because every afternoon, the sunlight shines directly into the cave, the rays of light add to the splendor of the stalactites, creating a beautiful scene like a fairyland.

Van village

From the center of Mai Chau town, follow the asphalt road of National Highway 15 stretching straight between the terraced fields about 1km to Van village. Although not as busy as Lac village, Van village is impressive with terraced fields on both sides of the road to the village. The local people are quite friendly and hospitable.

In addition, the village also has a park that grows yellow canola, white cabbage and other flowers. At the beginning of the village, there is a Van village guesthouse built next to the field. If you have the opportunity to stay here, you will be able to watch the sunrise in beautiful terraced fields.

Thai Museum

Here is a gallery to store ancient Thai artifacts which Mr. Kien has collected for 10 years to show his love for his deceased wife. Currently, all the antiques have been transferred and stored at the Van cultural house. Coming here, you will admire the antique objects of the Thai people throughout hundreds of years of development, the priceless sets of antique coins, which are carefully collected and preserved.

Go Lao Waterfall

This is a small waterfall in Phuc San commune, about 15 km far from Mai Chau. From Tong Dau junction towards Moc Chau, you will easily find the way to the waterfall. The way down to the waterfall is the earth steps built by people. If you go in the rainy season, it will be quite slippery. You can park your car at a homestay right in front of the waterfall and climb down.

Ba Khan

Ba Khan is a commune of Mai Chau located along the hydroelectric lake, stretching from Phu Cuong through the foot of Thung Khe pass. Passing Go Lao Waterfall about 15 km more will come to Ba Khan. This is also the watershed area of ​​the hydroelectric lake, you can rent a boat to go around the lake. Boat rental price is about 300,000 VND – 350,000 VND/hour. Here is still quite wild and tourism is undeveloped.

Hang Kia – Pa Co

Hang Kia – Pa Co is located in the valley between four rocky mountains, covered by clouds all year round, is a unique cloud hunting spot in Hoa Binh. This place not only has beautiful scenery like a fairyland but also contains many unique cultural features, becoming an ideal destination for tourists who love to explore.

Pa Co fair market

Pa Co market is nearly 40km far to the north of Mai Chau town, located between the centers of 3 communes: Hang Kia, Pa Co (Mai Chau) and Loong Luong (Moc Chau, Son La). From the center of Mai Chau town, you can travel by motorbike or private car along Highway 6 to get here. The market only meets on Sundays every week from early morning, this place is not only a place to buy and sell goods, but also a meeting place for people in the highlands. The market sells everything from agricultural products, livestock, fabrics, brocade products, agricultural tools to household appliances, electronics, music records, cosmetics…

4. Means of transportation in Mai Chau

Walk

Lac village and Pom Coong village are close to each other, walking around the village is the fastest way to discover a beautiful and peaceful Mai Chau, but if you want to go further, it won’t be enough time.

Bicycle

Bicycles are increasingly being chosen by tourists because they can go further than walking and be friendly to the environment.

Tram

Currently, you can choose the tram service to walk around the village. The car is quite slow and with a relatively cheap price for one person, if you want to rent a full trip to go further (visit nearby villages), you can also negotiate directly with the driver.

Motorcycle

For some remote locations such as Thung Khe and Ba Khan passes, bicycles or trams are not convenient and take a lot of time. At this time, you can rent a motorbike to move around for convenience.

5. Mai Chau’s specialties

Lam rice

This is probably Mai Chau’s most famous dish. People choose the typical rice of the mountains with the small and elongated grain,  when ripe, it gives off a fragrant aroma. This dish is young bamboo tubes filled with rice and be grilled on the fire, served with sesame salt, grilled pork…

Sticky rice

Coming to Mai Chau, enjoy the sticky rice made by Thai women, you can feel all the deliciousness. The type of rice which is chosen to make sticky rice is the type that Thai people grow on terraced fields in Mai Chau valley.

Muong pork

Muong pig, also known as underarm pig, man pig, “small” pig, … is a type of pig with long body, pointed snout, small ears, thin legs, long and stiff hair, raised in natural conditions. In the forest, they only eat trees and grass, not industrial foods, so the meat is firm, lean, low in fat, delicious and has a natural sweet taste when eaten.

Bitter bamboo shoots

Bamboo shoots are a specialty of this land of Mai Chau and are always available in the house because people often go to the forest to pick up bamboo shoots to pickle or dry to eat gradually. There have been many tourists saying happily when enjoying this dish, they named the bitter bamboo shoots “Love” because when you first enjoy it, you will see the bitter taste, but after swallowing it, you will find its sweet.

Wild bees shuffle sour bamboo shoots

Wild bees are not easy to find, so if you want to enjoy dishes made from wild bees, you should go to Mai Chau at the end of summer. Wild bee hives as big as a small basket are brought back by the people in the village to both make medicine and process specialties.

Hill chicken

Hill chicken is a type of chicken that is raised naturally in forests and hills, the meat is extremely delicious and unique that no other chicken breed has. To enjoy the best of hill chicken, it should only be boiled to be firm and crispy, dipped with salt and pepper mixed with lemon leaves, and the sweet broth is served with hot rice.

Sour marinated meat

The “squat” marinated meat is mainly made of burnt meat and skin from buffaloes and cows. Crushed galangal, roasted rice powder and meat mix well, put in a sealed crockpot for a few days, then can be used.

Floating leaf water

The water of the leaves has acrid taste, both with the smell of traditional medicine and herbal medicine, and the strong smell of forest leaves. Floating leaf juice is very good to drink, stimulates digestion, increases the body’s resistance.

Mai Ha Wine

Mai Ha wine is distilled from leaves, this wine is mainly used to soak medicine, very good for heath.

Sour marinated stream fish

This is an indispensable dish in the Thai New Year’s rice tray. Around the 8th – 10th lunar month, Thai people have to go to the stream to catch “Pa Vá” fish (looks like a carp but the body is smaller) to clean and cut into pieces and mix with salt, spices, dried chili powder, garlic, ginger, lemongrass leaves, rice ear and a little wine. Marinated fish is put into a sealed bamboo shoot tube, waiting for half a month then can be used.

6. Where to stay when traveling to Mai Chau?

Collective stilt house

There are 2 famous tourist villages, Lac village and Pom Coong village, where a lot of households provide accommodation services in the form of tourist stilts, each person has a compartment (with full blankets and pillow).

There are many options such as Nà Chiềng Homestay, Minh Tho Homestay, Eco Homestay, Little Mai Chau Homestay, Mai Chau Countryside Homestay, La Maison De Buoc…

The post Mai Chau Hoa Binh travel experience appeared first on Nà Chiềng Homestay.

Wake up in nature

Mornings are ideal for peaceful walks through Mai Châu. With small hamlets dotting the valley, winding paths and quiet gardens, it’s easy to explore on your own. Keep an eye out for a drink stall where you can savour a cà phê phin (Vietnamese coffee) looking out onto the rice fields as butterflies drift by. 

Learn about ethnic textiles

When in Mai Châu, don’t miss the chance to shop beautiful fabrics woven by the White Thai people. Local shops will even have looms out front, where you can watch the locals weaving, or give it a try yourself. For an ethical splurge, check out Hoa Ban+ shop in Lac village, a social enterprise that gives vocational training to women from the White Thai minority.

Pedal through the valley

One of the best ways to experience Mai Châu is by cycling. You can set off on your own or hire a guide to help you explore the many trails through the valley. A guide can also introduce you to a White Thai household. Take a seat in their long stilt houses, where you can sip tea, nibble on lychees and find out more about rural life. 

TIP: Your hotel can help you book a cycling tour, or you can find qualified guides at Mai Châu Lodge. If you’re unable to cycle, you can still explore the valley with electric carts. 

Taste farm-fresh dishes

Mai Châu’s cuisine is as fresh as it comes. Start your meal with cơm lam (bamboo-tube grilled rice). Peel off the bamboo cover and dip the rice in minced peanuts for a delicious treat. Gà đồi (grilled native chicken), thịt lợn xiên nướng (pork skewers) and stir-fried greens are some favourite Mai Châu dishes. If you’re feeling adventurous, try ve sầu chiên, a local delicacy of stuffed and fried cicadas. 

Enjoy ethnic dance and music

Traditional performances are a special part of every visit to Mai Châu. The White Thai musicians are skilled at using natural materials to craft instruments that create mesmerizing rhythms. After dinner, relax and settle in to watch a White Thai performance. These shows feature live folk music and dancers in full ethnic dress. 

Sleep in a stilt house

If you’ve never tried sleeping in a stilt house, you can in Mai Châu. Wooden stilt house homestays can easily be found in Lac Village and Poom Coọng village. These houses usually have clean and simple accommodation, with shared bathrooms and open-air sleeping quarters. Mai Châu also boasts four-star hotels as well as beautiful lodges with views of the rice fields. 

TIP: Expect to pay around 200,000VND for a rustic homestay, 600,000VND for a boutique farm stay, and 1,500,000VND for a four-star hotel.

Explore the outdoors

The countryside surrounding Mai Châu is perfect for nature lovers. You might like to sign up for a morning of kayaking on the Hòa Bình Reservoir, or take a full-day trekking tour in neighbouring Pù Luông Nature Reserve. Many hotels and homestays in Mai Châu offer tours to caves and waterfalls nearby. You can also book package deals for outdoor activities in advance with tour operators in Hanoi. 

Getting to Mai Châu

The journey to Mai Châu from Hanoi takes about three hours. You can arrange a private transfer by car, hop on a shuttle van, take a bus from My Dinh bus station, or drive there by motorbike. The morning is the best time to travel, so you can enjoy stunning views at Thung Khe Mountain Pass and cliff-side panoramas of the Mai Châu Valley.

TIP: The best time to visit Mai Châu is from March to May or during the harvest season from September to November. 

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