mai chau

We pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The drive to Mai Chau is approximately 135km and takes around 3-4 hours, heading southwest through Hoa Binh Province with a scenic stop along the way.

Thung Khe Pass. Our first stop is at the top of the pass which is over 1000m asl. We take in the panoramic views of the valley below. Local vendors sell corn and sugarcane here - a nice snack before we descend into the valley.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Ban Lac village. Traditional White Thai cuisine! Expect sticky rice, grilled meats, fresh vegetables and bamboo shoot dishes.

Cycling through the rice paddies. We pick up bicycles and take the flat loop between Ban Lac and Pom Coong villages. Plenty of stops for photos and to chat with local villagers along the way.

Go Lao Waterfalls are around 20 minutes from Mai Chau by car, this is a pleasant stop for a few relaxed hours by the water. Swimming is possible here and is especially popular on warmer days.

We check in to our homestay in Ban Lac Village. There is time to relax, wander through the village, or simply watch the sunset settle over the rice paddies from the stilt house balcony.

Dinner at the homestay with the host family. Expect a home-cooked White Thai meal, and if you like, a traditional dance performance can be arranged on request.

Breakfast at the homestay. Fresh tea or coffee and a simple selection of local dishes ease us into the morning.

We leave the valley floor and drive up into the mountains towards Hang Kia and Pa Co. The road climbs steadily for around 30-40 minutes, and the scenery quickly shifts from rice paddies to cooler highland slopes and Hmong villages.

We visit local Hmong villages around Hang Kia and Pa Co, a remote area known for its mountain scenery and strong cultural traditions. This is a chance to meet local families and get a better sense of daily life in the highlands above Mai Chau.

During the visit we learn more about traditional Hmong crafts, including wax-resist batik on hemp cloth, paj ntaub embroidery, and handmade paper-making using natural materials. It is a thoughtful cultural stop rather than a rushed sightseeing visit.

Lunch is included in the village, with time to rest and take in the highland setting before the journey back to Hanoi.

After lunch we begin the drive back to Hanoi. We usually arrive in the late afternoon, typically around 17:00-18:00 depending on traffic and your hotel location.