Nearly 150km from Hanoi with a 4-hour drive by car, Mai Chau valley is nestled in high mountain ranges. Being the living space of the Thai ethnic community, Mai Chau developed community tourism quite early, so even if it is just a short trip, this place will still bring you many interesting experiences. Below are 4 places not to be missed when coming to Mai Chau.
Thung Khe Pass
Thung Khe Pass, also known as Da Trang Pass, is one of the four most beautiful and dangerous passes in the Northwest. It is called Da Trang Pass because there are beautiful white stone mountains standing tall on the cliffs. Standing on Da Trang Pass, you can see the entire poetic and lyrical scenery of Mai Chau valley, the green patches of rice, and a few stilt houses hidden under the bamboo bushes.
Pom Coong Village
In Thai, Pom means hill, Coong means drum, Pom Coong means village of hills located on a big drum, referring to rice fields. Home to about 80 households, this is a meeting place visited by many tourists. When coming here, you should wander around and explore the brocade shops and souvenir shops right at the foot of the stilt house.
The stilt houses in Mai Chau are often built in clusters and follow the traditional architectural style of the Thai people. The floors are made of bamboo or reed and are about 2 meters above the ground with sturdy wooden pillars. The roofs are thatched, rattan leaves or bricks. The houses have many large windows. Underneath the stilt houses are looms for Thai girls to weave brocade. These are common differences compared to the stilt houses of other ethnic groups.
Ban Lac
This is a famous community tourism destination of the White Thai people, an ethnic community that has long lived in Mai Chau. Lac Village has all the rustic, natural characteristics, charming by the peaceful beauty of the houses located under the bamboo bushes, the water wheels located next to the small streams flowing day and night. Following the road into the village are the green, fragrant rice fields. The peaceful countryside scenery will keep visitors staying longer with a walk in the middle of pristine nature.
Cave exploration
Located in the limestone mountains, Mai Chau has some beautiful stalactite caves such as Chieu cave, Mo Luong cave, less than 2km from Lac village. To get to these caves, you have to conquer very high stone steps. In return for the hours of sweating because of the height, you will enjoy a pleasant feeling of relaxation when taking in the beautiful natural scenery around.
Mo Luong Cave has two doors, both overlooking the fields and villages in the valley. Located at an altitude of about 5m to 7m above the surrounding fields, the cave goes deep into the mountain more than 500m including the alleys, the width is from 1m to 30m, the ceiling is an average of 10m high with a system of sparkling white, yellow and green stalactites. The beauty of this magical natural picture will take you a lot of time to explore and admire.
Hang Chieu is the name given by the locals. It is special because every afternoon, the sunlight penetrates the cave, making the stalactites more charming and sparkling. After going through 1,200 stone steps, you will set foot in Hang Chieu. Walking in there, you will be amazed by the magic of nature, with countless shapes created from stalactites stretching along the 200m length of the cave. At the end of the cave, there is a small stream, the water is cool and clear all year round. Try to feel the cool water here.
In Hanoi, if you only have 2 days on the weekend, Mai Chau is the perfect choice for a journey back to nature, immersing yourself in the scent and color of the Northern rice fields.
More information:
+ Journey: From Hanoi to Mai Chau, you can choose a car with a 4-hour travel time.
+ Transportation: Regarding transportation between villages in Mai Chau, shuttle bus service is fully provided for visitors. A small note, try cycling once along the long roads between the two sides of green rice fields. This promises to be an interesting experience.
+ Seasonal experience: Each season has its own poetic scenery in Mai Chau, an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the peaceful scenery of the small valley, temporarily forgetting the bustling urban atmosphere. Summer in Mai Chau is characterized by the green color of young rice fields, cool air and gentle smiles of the people here.
+ Cuisine: You should try bamboo-tube rice, wild bamboo shoots, grilled pork, and stream fish. And immerse yourself in the intoxicating sound of Thai Xoe singing and playing, and participate in the bamboo dance and Xoe dance.
+ Accommodation: There are many options for tourists, from resorts located in the mountains to hotels (prices from 300,000 VND). You can also stay in the typical wooden stilt houses of the locals here (prices from 100,000 VND).
Article and photos: Tuan Duong
