Mai Chau

Why visit Mai Chau Vietnam?

Known for its rich landscape, with green rice fields framed by rolling hills and mountains beyond, Mai Chau is a nature lover’s paradise. It’s a chance to slow down from your travels (especially if you’re coming directly from Hanoi), to savour its cool, fresh air and relaxed countryside vibes.

You’ll get a glimpse into the traditional rural life of the ethnic groups here – namely, White Thai, H’Mong and Muong – and can stay with a family for some of the greatest food you’ll taste during your trip to Vietnam.

Mai Chau valley is a wonderful spot for hiking, swimming, photography and kayaking: so wherever you want to explore and capture the scenery, you can get stuck in. A private tour gives you the chance to find places you may not have otherwise, and our local travel team will be proud to show you around the best spots of their hometown.

A chilled out and relaxing alternative to Vietnam’s busier tourist hotspots, Mai Chau is welcoming, fascinating and strikingly beautiful. If you want to experience Vietnam a little differently – and to discover scenic trails, local markets and great food while you’re at it, this is the place for you.

What to do in Mai Chau

One of the most culturally enriching experiences in Mai Chau is spending time among the ethnic minorities of the region. Dominated by the Thai group, there are two specific ‘homestay villages’ where tourists are welcome to stay with families in their traditional stilt houses.

Our guides can connect you with a family in Lac village or Pom Coong, where you can get to know their local customs and heritage: sharing their dances, music and stories, and tasting delicious White Thai cuisine: like nuong (sticky rice) and grilled buffalo meat.

As you wait for your meal to be prepared, you might like to cycle around the quiet paths that connect the homes together: tranquil and timeless, the countryside here will help you shake off any city dust in no time.

The women of Mai Chau valley also produce handwoven intricate fabrics on ancient looms – which would make a beautiful memento of your trip. When shopping for local handicrafts and fabrics, be prepared to bargain – as with everywhere in Vietnam, it’s encouraged and all part of the fun!

If you’re still wondering what to do in Mai Chau, look around you: those stunning hills are begging to be explored. Chieu Cave is one of the hotspots near town and you’ll be rewarded for climbing 1,000 steps up to its entrance with incredible views of the valley beneath. In any case, whether you wander around Mai Chau yourself or go further afield in a guided tour that includes hiking, kayaking and swimming – the scenery won’t disappoint.

Ready to check out Mai Chau?

With its natural beauty, unique cuisine, interesting festivals and various ethnic groups, Mai Chau offers a trip of great cultural depth and a chance to reconnect with Mother Nature (in case you haven’t seen her for a while!)

Wide Eyed Tours & Travel can help you to build and customise the kind of experience you’ll never forget: whether that’s arranging homestays with a family, booking a luxury four-star eco lodge, or any range of cultural, trekking and biking tours, chat to us and we’ll organise the kind of activities and accommodation you’ll love.

If landing in Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, our driver can meet you in Arrivals before bringing you by private transfer through some seriously pretty landscape before dropping you at your accommodation in Mai Chau valley. And remember, if you need any further tips on what to do in Mai Chau, or help getting around, our on-the-ground travel assistants are just a phone call away.