Mai Chau Valley is not only an ideal destination for natural beauty lovers, but also a place to preserve the unique cultural identity of the indigenous peoples.
Introduction To Mai Chau Valley
Located in the northwest region of Vietnam, Mai Chau is a peaceful mountainous district of Hoa Binh province. Being about 140 km from Hanoi, it is a popular weekend getaway for both domestic and international tourists looking for a quiet escape from the bustling capital.
Covering an area of 564 square kilometers, Mai Chau Valley is notable for its rugged and diverse terrain. The district’s terrain is complex, formed by a network of high mountain ranges, deep valleys, streams, and rivers. This natural layout not only creates spectacular scenery but also offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and exploring nature. Thanks to the unique topography, Mai Chau possesses many beautiful natural landscapes, including lush green valleys, majestic waterfalls, and crystal clear streams.
History Of Mai Chau Valley
According to David Wyatt in his book “Thailand: A Short History,” the Thai people migrated to Vietnam between the 7th and 13th centuries. From Dien Bien Phu, they spread out across Northern Vietnam. Mai Chau is also one of the valleys where the Thai people settled and gradually separated into a branch called the White Thai, different from the Black Thai in most other regions in the Northwest.
Today, it is estimated that 55% of the population in Mai Chau is of the Thai ethnic group. The rest are other ethnic groups such as Muong, H’Mong, and Dzao, etc. These ethnic groups still preserve their customs, costumes, architecture, dances, and traditional crafts, making Mai Chau a living museum of the culture of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities.
Top 5 Iconic Attractions In Mai Chau Valley
Mai Chau tourist destinations always attract visitors with their wild beauty and tranquility. From green valleys to traditional villages, Seni World will list the top 5 most attractive destinations in this green valley.
Thung Khe Pass
Before entering Mai Chau, you will travel through Thung Khe Pass. Don’t rush! Stop here to admire the beautiful scenery of Mai Chau from afar and take some special photos next to the white hill. Being considered as the Northern European hill of Mai Chau, Thung Khe makes visitors feel like they are lost in a European scene with the white space of rocky mountains and the surrounding fog.
The outstanding feature of Thung Khe Pass is the continuous change in weather during the day, creating a “four seasons in one day” experience for visitors. When the sun rises, the first rays of sunlight here are faintly covered with early morning mist. At noon, the sunlight shines golden like summer, but not hot, but gentle. Then, when evening comes, the air is cold like a fresh autumn night.
Lac Village
When it comes to Mai Chau tourism, it is impossible not to mention Lac Village, the most beautiful village in Mai Chau. Instead of being a bustling or magnificent place, Lac Village Mai Chau converges all the characteristics of rusticity, nature, and friendliness.
This is where the cultural identity of the White Thai people is strongly imprinted, with 5 Thai ethnic families living in Ban Lac: Ha, Lo, Vi, Mac, and Loc. The village has existed for 700 years until now. Coming here, you will admire the vast rice fields, interspersed with villages, and hand-pick the brocade souvenirs you like. The brocade products here are very popular with both domestic and international tourists.
Mo Luong Cave
Only 2 km from Lac village, Mo Luong Cave is one of the most beautiful caves in Mai Chau Valley. Mo Luong Cave stretches about 500 m, including four large caves connected together, forming a majestic complex. After thousands of years of water erosion, the cave has a unique appearance with many stalactites of various shapes.
The wild, unique beauty is associated with meaningful historical stories that are worth visiting once. During the resistance war against the French, this place was once a meeting base for the Vietnamese army and people.
Mai Chau Flagpole
Tourists coming to Mai Chau Valley should note that this flagpole is just a photo stop, not a professional tourist area. However, the experiences and emotions it brings are extremely impressive and unforgettable. On the way to Mai Chau, if you drive through Thung Khe Pass, you will see a flagpole standing tall right in front of your eyes. From the foot of the Mai Chau flagpole, we can see the whole scene below. The white clouds are drifting in the sky, combined with the looming red-tiled houses, creating a scene like a fairyland.
Go Lao Waterfall
If you like to explore the wild and somewhat fierce beauty, Go Lao waterfall in Mai Chau Valley will be an impressive destination that attracts you. With a height of about 20m, the waterfall pours into white and strong streams, creating bustling echoes. On the journey to the waterfall area, you will experience a rustic green patch of mountains and forests, and the wildness of the waterfall.
Not only that, along the way to the foot of the waterfall, tourists will admire the romantic space: on one side is a vast hydroelectric lake, on the other side is a waterfall that is foaming along the mountainside. At the foot of the waterfall is a clear lake where visitors can soak and enjoy the peaceful scenery in the middle of the forest.
5 Unforgettable Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss In Mai Chau Valley
To have a great experience and memorable memories, here are some things you can not miss in Mai Chau Valley:
Trekking Through Villages
Trekking in Mai Chau is a great experience to explore the natural beauty and local culture. You can choose the route through villages such as Ban Lac, Ban Pom Coong, or Ban Nhot, where there are winding trails between green rice fields and hills. A popular trekking route is reaching the top of Pa Co to see the whole Mai Chau Valley from above, especially in the early morning when the fog covers the road. This experience not only brings a feeling of relaxation but also helps you understand more about the life of Thai people through traditional stilt houses.
Enjoying Mai Chau Cuisine
Mai Chau cuisine is a highlight that cannot be missed because the food here is imbued with the Thai ethnic identity. You should try Com Lam, a type of sticky rice baked in bamboo tubes, fragrant and sweet, often served with grilled pork or grilled chicken. Some other highly recommended dishes include stir-fried bitter bamboo shoots and chicken soup with sour bamboo shoots.
To enjoy these dishes, consider visiting local restaurants or homestays in Ban Lac or Ban Pom Coong, where you can savor cozy, family-style meals. While eating, don’t forget to try a cup of Mai Ha wine, a traditional local rice wine, to have a complete culinary experience in Mai Chau Valley.
Taking Photos At Famous Attractions
Mai Chau is a paradise for photography lovers, with countless beautiful shooting angles at famous locations. Some famous check-in locations loved by young people include: Mai Chau flagpole, Go Lao waterfall, Thung Khe cave, Ngoi Hoa bay, or Hoa Tien cave. In particular, Mai Chau has a green rice season (spring) and a ripe rice season (autumn) with extremely impressive terraced fields.
Visitors should choose dawn or dusk for the greatest shots because these times of day offer soft light and produce striking shadow effects on the fields. You can better capture the panoramic magnificence of the golden rice fields by taking pictures from above or from the mountain passes.
Admiring Flowers In Spring
Spring (February to March), when the valley is covered with the brilliant colors of peach blossoms, plum blossoms, and Bauhinia flowers, is considered the best time to visit Mai Chau. For the people of the Northwest, Bauhinia flowers have an extremely important meaning: a peaceful and happy new year. You can walk in the flower gardens to admire the scenery, enjoy the Northwest spring air, and take poetic photos.
Under the golden sunlight of spring, Bauhinia flowers are even more brilliant and outstanding. The scent of flowers creates a fresh and pleasant surrounding space, making you feel like you are lost in a watercolor painting.
Hunting Cloud In Winter
If you visit Mai Chau Valley in Winter (November to January), hunting clouds is a must-try experience. When the temperature drops and fog covers the valley, creating a sea of white, fluffy clouds as beautiful as those in Ta Xua. To hunt clouds, you should wake up early, wear warm clothes, and climb to high points such as Hang Kia – Pa Co, Pa Co Village, Thung Khe Pass, Thung Mai Village, or Mai Chau Flagpole.
Don’t forget to bring a good camera to capture these majestic moments. Besides, a cup of hot tea or coffee will be a little spice for the magical experience of Mai Chau in winter.
Entrance Fee
Mai Chau has some small fees to visit, such as the entrance ticket to Ban Lac (15,000 VND/adult) or the entrance ticket to Hang Chieu (10,000 VND/adult), along with optional fees such as bicycle rental (about 50,000 VND), or ethnic costumes (50,000 – 100,000 VND). However, most natural landscapes, such as streams, waterfalls, or rice fields, are free.
How To Get To Mai Chau Valley
Below are some suggestions for transport and ways of travel for visitors to Mai Chau:
- By car along the Hoa Lac – Hoa Binh Expressway: Go along Thang Long Avenue (Lang Hoa Lac Road), then go straight on the Hoa Lac – Hoa Binh Expressway, and then follow through Cao Phong and Tan Lac districts, then through Thung Khe Pass. At Tong Dau intersection, turn left to reach Mai Chau town.
- By motorbike along National Highway 6: You should travel along the route Nguyen Trai – Quang Trung – Ba La – Chuc Son – Xuan Mai of the old Ha Tay, then continue through the districts of Luong Son – Ky Son – Cao Phong – Tan Lac of Hoa Binh province. Finally, after passing Thung Khe Pass, you will reach Tong Dau intersection to reach Mai Chau town.
- By coach: You can go to coach stations such as My Dinh, Yen Nghia, and Giap Ba. All of which have coaches to Mai Chau, Hoa Binh, with a frequency of about 1 hour/trip. The ticket price for each trip ranges from 200,000 to 250,000 VND.
Things To Know Before Traveling To Mai Chau Valley
To optimize your time to fully enjoy your Mai Chau trip, you need to make a detailed plan. Here are some tips from Seni World to help you shorten the time for this task:
- Identify your desired destinations: Mai Chau has countless attractive attractions. Therefore, you should research the characteristics of each destination to choose the locations that suit your plan. Some rich sources of information include travel websites, blogs, or social networks.
- Choose a place to stay early: Tourists come to Mai Chau all year round, but it will be crowded during peak seasons. Therefore, to avoid the situation where homestays or hotels are full, you should book in advance to ensure the best accommodation.
- Check the weather and prepare for unexpected situations: Mai Chau’s weather changes with the seasons, so you should prepare clothes and items suitable for the weather. – Meal planning: While researching locations, also check out the cuisine. Don’t forget to save famous dishes like grilled Man pork, sticky rice, bamboo rice, etc.
Final Thoughts: Is Mai Chau Valley Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Mai Chau Valley distills Vietnam’s essence into serene valleys, warm smiles, and timeless traditions. Hopefully, through the above sharing, Seni World has helped you have more necessary information about Mai Chau, thereby having a complete and meaningful valley trip.
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