Introduction of Mai Chau
For anyone looking for a quiet and peaceful destination to rest after busy work days, Mai Chau is like an oasis for all souls and a must-visit place to stop by. It is a region with the typical beauty of the northwest area of Vietnam with the breathtaking views, a convergence of local ethnic cultures, gracefulness of girls in traditional dress, tasty cuisine for foodies. Mai Chau is a perfect escape from the hectic life of the big cities and therefore attracts not only international tourists but also domestic tourists in the cities in the vicinity.
Geological location
Mai Chau is a commune on the mountain in Hoa Binh Province, 140km from Hanoi. This town is located at the average altitude of about 800-900m above sea level. Mai Chau commune is located in the lowest part of the country at the altitude of only 220m and is surrounded by the high mountains and therefore, the summer in Mai Chau is quite hot.
However, the air in Mai Chau is very clean and fresh due to eye-popping greenery among the mountains and rice fields.
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Some updated information in 2023
- Area: 564.54km²
- Population: about 63,000
- Major tourist areas: ethnic villages, Mai Hich, Thung Khe pass
- Zip code: 364000
- Licence plate: 28
- Ethnicity: white Thai, Kinh, Muong, Hmong, etc.
What to expect in Mai Chau?
Charm of tranquillity
In Mai Chau, you will find a vast valley extended to the foot of the mountain, completely different from the noisy and chaotic city life. Life here is very idyllic and simple, you can hear the chirping of morning birds, crickets, and mites on summer evenings. A bicycle or walking trip to Mai Chau makes you feel complete peace that helps you better enjoy the landscapes of the area and experience the local culture. It is a fascinating rural life to live!
Typical Thai ethnic culture and life
Mai Chau is the residence of 6 ethnic groups, among which the dominance is the white Thai (occupies more than 65% of the population). Arriving there, you can meet the very kind and gentle ethnic Thai people and their houses on traditional wooden stilts. Although they live in a mountainous area, the villages in Mai Chau are very well organised and clean with flowering and verdant gardens.
Appetising cuisine
The cuisine of Mai Chau is very delicious and not so fatty with the special flavors of the local ethnic groups: the white Thai, the Muong, the Kinh, etc. You have to taste the fish dishes from streams, roasted chicken with Thai's secret, bamboo shoots, sticky rice in bamboo. Uhm, delicious!
Thai people also have interesting schnapps that everyone enjoys together in a jar with straws - Can schnapps, which shows a cultural life of the Thai community.
Thai people's dance performance
Sap dance - "Nhay sap" of the Thai is a highlight of this ethnicity that allows everyone besides the dancers to participate with ease. It is nice to participate in this dance while tasting Can schnapps, so you become fully immersed in local life.
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