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Vietnam Travel Guide​
Mai Chau Tours
Mai Chau tours take you through peaceful valleys, traditional stilt-house villages, and scenic rice fields. Go cycling in the countryside, stay in an ethnic homestay, or take a day trip to Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
View tours >>The Best Mai Chau Tours & Local Experiences
Not sure what Mai Chau tour to choose?
Whether you’re looking for the best group tour, private experience, a custom made tour or just a private driver to bring you around, we’re here to help. Our local team knows Mai Chau inside out and can give you honest, expert advice—no pressure, just good suggestions.
About Mai Chau
Mai Chau is a peaceful rural valley in northern Vietnam, known for its green rice fields, ethnic minority villages, and relaxed pace of life. Located about 3–4 hours from Hanoi, it’s a good option if you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Sapa. The area is home to Thai ethnic communities, who live in traditional stilt houses and often host travelers for overnight stays. Tours in Mai Chau typically include cycling through local villages, short hikes, and cultural activities like weaving or cooking with a host family. You can also take a day trip to nearby Pu Luong Nature Reserve for more dramatic landscapes and jungle trekking. It’s a great place to slow down and experience rural life in Vietnam.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sapa tours
When is the best time to visit Mai Chau?
The best time is from February to May and September to November. These months offer cooler weather and beautiful green rice fields. May and September are harvest periods, while the summer months are lush but come with more rain. Even during the rainy season, the valley is incredibly scenic.
Can I visit Mai Chau without a tour?
Yes, you can visit independently by taking a local bus or private car from Hanoi. Once in Mai Chau, you can rent a bicycle or walk around villages. However, joining a guided tour can make it easier to connect with local families, explore hidden trails, and combine Mai Chau with places like Pu Luong.
How many days do I need for a Mai Chau tour?
A 2-day, 1-night tour is the most common and gives you enough time for cycling, village visits, and a homestay experience. If you want to explore more or combine with Pu Luong, plan for 3 days. A day trip from Hanoi is possible but rushed and misses the relaxing atmosphere.
What’s the best day trip from Mai Chau?
A day trip to Pu Luong Nature Reserve is the most rewarding. It offers deeper jungle scenery, bamboo forests, and terraced rice fields. Tours often include short treks or waterfall visits. It’s close enough for a day, but ideally worth an overnight stay to fully enjoy the area.
What happens when it rains during a tour?
Tours usually continue in light rain, especially cycling or village walks. Trails can be slippery, so good footwear is important. Heavy rain might affect trekking routes in Pu Luong or transport schedules. If weather conditions are unsafe, guides may adjust the itinerary for your safety.
What are Mai Chau’s rice seasons like?
Mai Chau has two rice seasons: planting starts around February and June, with harvests in May and September. These periods are great for seeing either lush green fields or golden harvest scenes. Even in the rainy summer, the scenery is especially vibrant and photogenic.
10 Highlights in Mai Chau Tours
1. Cycling through rice fields
Mai Chau’s flat valley roads are ideal for cycling. Ride past lush paddies, water buffalo, and stilt houses while exploring the peaceful countryside at your own pace.
2. Staying in a homestay
Sleep in a traditional stilt house, enjoy local food, and experience ethnic culture firsthand. It’s a simple, relaxed, and personal way to connect with the area.
3. Visiting ethnic villages
Explore quiet villages like Ban Lac and Pom Coong, home to the White Thai people. Expect slow-paced rural life, friendly smiles, and handmade crafts.
4. Go Lao Waterfall
Set in a forested valley near Hoa Binh Lake, this 20-meter waterfall is a refreshing spot to cool off or just enjoy the natural surroundings.
5. Trekking in Pu Luong
Combine your Mai Chau trip with Pu Luong Nature Reserve for scenic hikes past rice terraces, bamboo waterwheels, and remote ethnic villages.
6. Thung Khe Pass Viewpoint
Stop at this scenic mountain pass for panoramic views over the Mai Chau valley. A great photo stop if you’re coming from or returning to Hanoi.
7. Boating on Hoa Binh Lake
Vietnam’s largest lake offers calm waters, forested islands, and boat rides that can be combined with nearby waterfalls or ethnic villages.
8. Rock Climbing
For something more active, try rock climbing with views over the valley. Routes range from beginner-friendly to more challenging for experienced climbers.
9. Exploring Local Caves
Visit limestone caves like Mo Luong or Chieu, where natural formations offer a cool escape and views back over the rice fields below.
10. Going Off the Beaten Track
Head to Van Ho or Pac Co for untouched villages, quiet rice terraces, and rarely visited waterfalls like Pung and Tat Nang—ideal for adventurous travelers.