Mai Chau, Vietnam Plan a trip

Here’s your opportunity to be one of the first travellers to visit the beautiful Mai Chau. It may not have been open to visitors on your last visit. This secluded farming community is finally letting travellers explore its idyllic homeland, so why not make the most of it?

Mai Chau is home to the Tai Trang (White Thai) people. They have connections to tribes in Thailand, Laos and China, but have called Mai Chau and other parts of Vietnam home for years. They settled in this verdant valley centuries ago, and we can’t say we blame them! It’s a beautiful spot and perfect for agriculture – their main trade. Not many of the Tai Trang folk wear traditional dress anymore – but you’ll have seen that in other areas of Vietnam. However, the women are masterful silk weavers and can whip up a traditional garment in a flash.

Mai Chau is a peaceful retreat, so there’s not much in the way of tourist attractions. Saying that, most visitors say that the group tour of the village is too sanitised. For the real deal, you should go on your own. Visit the bustling morning market and discover an eclectic range of local delicacies. Buffalo meat and star fruit are delicious. You don’t need to haggle like you would in some Vietnamese cities; the locals aren’t pushy. However, a little polite bargaining might help you go far.

Head outside of the rice fields that surround Mai Chau and you’ll discover even smaller traditional villages to explore. Ask if you can stay in a stilt-house with a local family (they’re quite welcoming) and get an authentic taste of rural Vietnam. You might even encounter Mong and H’mong  people on your travels.

This destination is not too far from Hanoi (135 km), so it means that visitors can get the best of both worlds. One day you’ll be in the buzzing capital city, the next you’ll be immersed in tranquil, traditional life. Mai Chau might not be the best spot for hard-core explorers, but if you’re looking for biking, hiking and a little culture (plus a break from the busy city) Mai Chau is the ideal spot.

Plan your trip to Mai Chau today.