Mai Chau Town, located in Hoa Binh Province about 140 kilometers from the center of Hanoi, has peaceful scenery and a cool climate. It has long been a popular destination for escaping the heat of the capital. Over the past decade, Mai Chau tourism has evolved, offering many experiences that attract many visitors.
Mai Chau is renowned for its ethnic Thai villages, such as Lac, Pom Coong, and Nhot, which are about one kilometer apart. These villages preserve many traditional cultural features. Visitors can leave behind the hustle and bustle of urban life, and instead enjoy the cool air and scenery of mountains, fields, and villages.
During the rice harvest season, visitors can rent bicycles to tour the fields, watch people harvest rice. Green rice fields are best viewed in March-April or August-September, while the golden ripe rice fields are most beautiful around May or September-October.
Lac Village, part of Chieng Chau Commune, is a well-known destination. Historically, students have favored it as a picnic spot because it is affordable, offers a peaceful environment, and is easily accessible.
The village has a rich history of over 700 years and is inhabited by about 700 households belonging to the White Thai ethnic community. The residents have preserved their traditional cultural features, including stilt house architecture, traditional costumes, and cuisine.
Mo Luong Lake and Cave are considered hidden gems of Mai Chau Valley. Located just over a kilometer from Lac Village, Mo Luong Lake draws visitors who enjoy swimming, admiring the scenery, and experiencing the cool air in the afternoons.
Mo Luong Cave, which is part of the Pu Kha Mountain Range, is characterized by its landscapes. The cave complex comprises four main caves extending to a depth of about 500 meters, adorned with stalactites that have formed over millions of years. Visitors can explore the cave by trekking and even experience dining in the cave.
From Mai Chau, it's easy to travel to other famous destinations like Son La Province or Pu Luong Nature Reserve in Thanh Hoa Province.
Bo Am hot spring in Phu Mau Village, Chieng Yen Commune, Van Ho District, Son La Province, is about 30 kilometers from Mai Chau. The hot spring features three levels with gradually warming temperatures, believed to have health benefits. The entrance fee is only VND30,000 ($1.20) per person, making it an ideal day trip.
Mai Chau offers a range of accommodations, from luxury resorts to affordable stilt houses in villages.
Recently, glamping at Mo Luong Lake has become popular among young people. Unlike traditional camping, glamping provides amenities such as beds, wardrobes, air conditioners, fans, and clean toilets.
The glamping area at Mai Chau Lodge has 8 domes with terraces for scenic views and tea enjoyment right by Mo Luong Lake. The place also has many spots for visitors to take photos.
Visitors to Mai Chau can immerse themselves in local culture by watching Thai dances and participating in ethnic games like stilt walking and nem con - shuttlecock throwing.
Visitors to Mai Chau District can watch the traditional keengloong dance performed by the Thai ethnic group. This dance has recently been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2024.
The keengloong dance originates from the daily working life of the Thai people in Mai Chau. Historically, during rice farming on hills and fields, people would pick cotton and, once the rice was harvested, place it in a mortar (called loong) to pound it.
While pounding the rice, women would often create rhythmic sounds by striking the pestle against the edge of the mortar or tapping the pestles together. These sounds were not only pleasant but also helped to dispel worries and added joy to their work in the fields.
Mai Chau cuisine is another attraction for tourists visiting the valley. Even in hot weather, tourists are drawn to the flavorful dishes of the Thai and Muong people in Hoa Binh.
A typical meal includes a variety of foods served on a leafy tray: sweet sticky rice, chicken salad, or goat meat, accompanied by a bowl of sour soup. The white rice and seafood from the region are noted for their incomparable taste.
The three-color sticky rice, made from the Mai Chau upland sticky rice, is noteworthy. It has a sticky, sweet taste and is dyed with natural forest leaves to create purple and red colors. This sticky rice is typically served with fried fish or boiled chicken, along with vegetables. Many tourists find this sticky rice so delicious that they buy it as gifts to take home.
