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If, until now, when you think of Mai Chau, you usually picture Ban Lac village, endless rice paddies, or the unique culture of the Thai ethnic minority... then let Travellive help you explore Mai Chau in a different way.
Mai Chau is currently a popular destination attracting many domestic and international tourists to explore.
Mai Chau is a district in Hoa Binh province, located approximately 140 km from the center of Hanoi. Often referred to as the "muse of the Northwest," Mai Chau boasts a serene natural landscape and the impressive cultural identity of the Thai people. With its inherent potential and strengths, Mai Chau is currently a popular destination attracting both domestic and international tourists.
Speaking to the press on June 12th in Mai Chau, Mr. Bui Xuan Truong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hoa Binh province, said: "Mai Chau has many diverse tourism products such as homestays, village tours, trekking, stream boating, cave exploration, and organizing parties inside Mo Luong cave (with permits)... We are constantly developing new types of tourism to attract domestic and international tourists to Mai Chau. To enhance the tourism experience, the locality has invested in hundreds of electric vehicles to serve visitors to villages and nearby tourist spots more conveniently and safely."
When mentioning Mai Chau, people not only think of the picturesque villages and lush green rice fields, but also are impressed by the vibrant Thai dances.
Mr. Tran Trong Kien, Chairman and CEO of Thien Minh Group, a company currently investing in and developing tourism products in Mai Chau, also shared his vision for tourism development in the area.
"To attract tourists to Mai Chau, it's essential to ensure that tourism products are tailored to the target customer group. Besides accommodation, tourists are also interested in local cuisine, scenery, and culture. Therefore, tourism development needs to focus on diversifying experiences for visitors. In addition to its already well-known community-based tourism, Mai Chau also possesses the advantage of developing experiential tourism. This type of tourism targets tourists who enjoy exploration, adventure, and authentic experiences of local culture. With its existing potential, Mai Chau tourism promises to attract even more domestic and international tourists in the future," Mr. Kien added.
Tourists are impressed by the vast rice fields.
The unique culture of the Thai people
When mentioning Mai Chau, Hoa Binh, people not only think of the picturesque villages and lush green rice fields, but also are impressed by the vibrant Thai dances. Each dance tells a story or conveys a message about life, love, and the beliefs of the Thai ethnic people. All of this is expressed through traditional dances: the bamboo pole dance, the Thai Xoe dance, the Keeng Loong dance, and the characteristic Thai songs and flute performances of the Thai ethnic group in Mai Chau district...
Each dance tells a story, conveying a message about life, love, and the beliefs of the Thai ethnic people.
The dances of the Thai people of Mai Chau are not only visually stunning and captivating but also possess profound cultural value. For example, Keeng Loong is a unique traditional musical performance depicting the working life of the Thai people of Mai Chau, characterized by the rhythmic beat of wooden planks and drums, accompanied by singing and dancing.
In Thai, "Loóng" means a long trough or mortar, and people choose large, straight trees to make them. Keeng Loóng is inspired by the act of pounding rice, symbolizing the diligence and hard work of the Thai people, as well as the collective effort and sharing spirit of the community. The Keeng Loóng dance has also been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Keeng Loóng is an integral part of Thai culture, played in many different celebrations, festivals, and rituals.
In addition, many tourists enjoy experiencing traditional games such as stilt walking, throwing the ball, spinning tops, and other traditional games. These games are not just simple entertainment but also embody many local cultural values and the spirit of the people here.
Experience participating in the traditional game of throwing the ball.
Walking on stilts
Luxury camping via glamping
While in the past, tourists visiting Mai Chau mainly chose to stay in homestays or stilt houses, the glamping model of Mai Chau Lodge, located near the lake and Mo Luong cave, brings a fresh perspective, offering tourists more diverse choices when traveling to this Northwestern region.
Mai Chau Lodge offers a unique, high-end camping experience right in the heart of the Mai Chau valley.
Guests will enjoy a relaxing stay in luxurious tents.
The room is fully equipped.
Glamping is no longer unfamiliar to many tourists. Unlike traditional camping, this model allows guests to relax in luxurious, fully equipped tents that rival any 5-star hotel, while still enjoying and being surrounded by nature.
At Mai Chau Lodge, the glamping area features eight dome-shaped structures in vibrant colors, offering a spacious setting overlooking Mo Luong Lake. Nestled amidst rice paddies and majestic mountains, it provides visitors with an unforgettable camping adventure.
There are countless Instagrammable spots for you to check in and capture memorable moments at Mai Chau Lodge.
Kayaking to see pink water lilies blooming in the morning on Mo Luong Lake.
Three-tiered hot spring bath
Bo Am Hot Spring is located in Chieng Yen commune, Van Ho district, Son La province, 30 km from Moc Chau town, surrounded by mountains and lush green rice fields. Water flows from the rocky mountains and divides into three natural bathing pools with varying temperatures: hot water with an average temperature of 35-40 degrees Celsius, gradually decreasing to a warm level, and a cool stream – perfect for relaxation in the summer.
To enter Bo Am Stream, visitors only need to spend 30,000 VND to enjoy unlimited fun and relaxation in the area. The combination of varying water temperatures, geological formations, and natural water sources has made this place an attractive destination for both local and international tourists, despite its relatively undeveloped infrastructure.
Immerse yourself in the warm stream to relax and take in the magnificent surrounding nature.
At Bo Am hot spring, immerse yourself in the warm water to relax and take in the magnificent surrounding nature. Besides the peaceful atmosphere, the hot spring water here also offers many health benefits such as reducing joint pain, improving blood circulation, and boosting the immune system...
Highland cuisine
Mai Chau cuisine is an indispensable part of the unique cultural landscape of the highlands. Steeped in the flavors of the Northwest mountains, the dishes in Mai Chau are not only delicious and visually appealing but also embody the rich cultural and spiritual values of the local people.
The flavors of Mai Chau's mountains and forests are showcased in renowned dishes such as wild bamboo shoots, stream fish, wild vegetables, Man pig meat, hill chicken, and sticky rice... all imbued with the distinctive flavors of the Northwest mountains, creating an irresistible appeal and stimulating the taste buds of diners.
The flavors of Mai Chau's mountains and forests are showcased in renowned dishes that stimulate the taste buds.
"Mai Chau, the season of fragrant sticky rice," it's no coincidence that this image appears in the poem "Tay Tien" by poet Quang Dung. Simple dishes made from rice and sticky rice grown by the local people have become specialties of this area. Only by tasting them can one truly appreciate the skill of the Thai girls in preparing sticky rice; the fragrant aroma of the chewy sticky rice is unmistakable.
Sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes (Com Lam) is also considered an indispensable dish at Mai Chau's banquets. This dish is made from mountain-grown sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, creating a delicious, chewy, and distinctive flavor. Com Lam is usually served with peanut salt, grilled wild boar meat, and wild vegetables.
Famous sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes
The colorful tapestry of Bản Lác
When visiting Mai Chau, you certainly can't miss Ban Lac – a miniature representation of the village life of the Thai ethnic minority. Here, you can admire stilt houses made of wood in the traditional Thai design, with nine steps leading up to the house.
Upon arriving in Bản Lác, visitors feel as if they have stepped into a world of vibrant colors. Traditional stilt houses are adorned with colorful brocade fabrics hanging on the verandas and walls. The art of brocade weaving is not only a beautiful cultural feature but also the main source of income for the people of Bản Lác. Visitors can purchase exquisite brocade products as souvenirs for friends and family.
In Bản Lác, Mai Châu, many long-standing traditional cultural features are still preserved, such as stilt houses, brocade fabrics, and jewelry.
In recent years, Bản Lác has implemented community-based tourism, meaning that local people prepare the living and experiential needs of visitors, such as accommodation, food, transportation, and sightseeing. With this model, when visiting Bản Lác, tourists will have the opportunity to experience the daily life and enjoy authentic local dishes just like the real locals.
Cycle along the trails around the village to observe the daily life of the locals.
