10 Must-Visit Places in Mai Châu
Just a 3-hour drive from Hanoi, Mai Châu offers peace and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This is the place to unwind and immerse yourself in the Northwestern mountains. Here’s a list of 10 must-visit spots during your trip to Mai Châu.
1. Thung Khe Pass
Before reaching Mai Châu town, make a stop at Thung Khe Pass. You can pause here to admire the panoramic views of Mai Châu from above. The valley looks like a painting with its green fields and traditional stilt houses in the distance. Each season offers a different beauty with the color of the rice fields below and the unique white stone of the pass.
More: How to Get to Mai Châu
2. Thung Nai Harbor
About 20 km from Hoa Binh City center, Thung Nai is known as the “Halong Bay on the Da River.” The beauty of Thung Nai is created by the majestic mountains formed by the Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam. You can rent a boat to explore the Da River, which is enveloped in mystical blue waters year-round.
3. Mai Châu Flagpole
After passing Thung Khe Pass, don’t rush to Mai Châu town immediately. Stop by the Mai Châu Flagpole for a moment. From here, you can gaze over the entire Mai Châu valley with white clouds drifting across the mountain slopes. This is an ideal spot to capture stunning photos of Mai Châu’s colorful landscape throughout the year.
4. Bản Lác
You can’t visit Mai Châu without exploring Bản Lác, the most beautiful village in Mai Châu. Here, you can experience the cultural heritage of the White Thai people. Bản Lác has five Thai ethnic clans: Hà, Lò, Mắc, Vi, and Lộc. The village has existed for 700 years and features lush green rice fields, traditional stilt houses, and handmade souvenirs.
5. Mu Waterfall
Mu Waterfall is located in the majestic Truong Son mountain range, at an altitude of over 1000 meters. Although it’s about 80 km from Mai Châu, it attracts many adventurers with its pristine and unique beauty.
6. Bản Pom Coọng
Another beautiful Thai village in Mai Châu is Bản Pom Coọng. Located close to Bản Lác, Pom Coọng means “village of hills on a large drum,” referring to the rice fields. While not as famous as Bản Lác, Pom Coọng is very tranquil and less crowded with tourists.
7. Bản Văn
Bản Văn is well-known among international visitors for its traditional stilt house homestay experience. The village still has rice fields, ponds, and charming canals running around it. Here, you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a traditional Thai village with homestay options like Mr. Cuong’s stilt house, a representative of White Thai culture.
8. Bản Nhót
Similar to other villages in Mai Châu, the people of Bản Nhót live near streams, with houses backed by hills and rice fields in front. Explore local handicraft shops to find unique items or souvenirs. You can also taste rice wine and other Thai dishes here.
9. Chiều Cave
Chiều Cave is one of the beautiful spots in Mai Châu that you must visit. From Mai Châu town, you need to conquer 1200 stone steps to reach the cave entrance. Located on top of Pù Kha limestone mountain, Chiều Cave features formations of stalactites and stalagmites. The name “Chiều” refers to the sunlight that illuminates the cave in the evening, creating a dazzling display of the formations. The cave is spacious, divided into two levels, with vividly colorful stalactites.
10. Go Lao Waterfall
Also known as Go Mu Waterfall, Go Lao is a beautiful waterfall located in Phúc San Commune, Mai Châu. It is about 15 km from Mai Châu town. On your way to Go Lao, you’ll be captivated by the natural scenery including charming Muong houses, jagged rock faces, the majestic Ba Khan Lake, and picturesque bamboo forests. The waterfall is at the foot of the mountain, close to the Hoa Binh hydropower plant. The sound of the waterfall is like a symphony blending with the surrounding mountains.
