ABOUT MAI CHAU - CAO BANG
The Mai Chau’s proximity to the capital makes it an ideal escape for nature lovers. Here, small ethnic minority villages sit among a patchwork of paddy fields surrounded by green mountains. Spend a night or two immersed in Viet Nam’s rural culture, dining on delicious home - cooked cuisine, and learning about the traditions of the ethnic groups.
1. Sleep in a homestay: The Mai Chau Valley is home to two excellent homestay tourism villages: Lac and Pom Coong. In both villages, White Thai families offer simple accommodation in stilt houses in an idyllic setting of verdant jungle, limestone outcrops, and mountain tops.
2. Plan a day trek: For a full day trip, spring for a kayaking excursion on Hoa Binh Lake, a beautiful body of water surrounded by jungled hills. Or venture further to Pu Luong Nature Reserve where cool, fresh streams run among the trees, feeding waterfalls and aquamarine pools.
3. Pu Luong Nature Reserve is not only a top attraction in Mai Chau, but also one of the biggest highlights in Viet Nam. In this beautiful landscape you will find very beautiful rice terraces that are immersed by water wheels made of bamboo.
4. Thung Khe pass: When you take the bus from Ha Noi, you already drive over the Thung Khe Pass. but if you don’t stop here is worth going back by car or motorbike. You can rent a scooter yourself and ride this pass, but be very careful here. On this mountain pass you have a viewpoint with the best view over the Mai Chau valley. Drive a bit further to have more amazing views of mountains and the countryside.