OVERVIEW

Mai Chau is located at the end of Hoa Binh province and is adjacent to Moc Chau, Son La, and Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa. Mai Chau is about 130 km from the center of Hanoi; it takes 4 hours to get there by motorbike and 3 hours by car. Although it is a highland district, Mai Chau is a valley surrounded by massive limestone ranges. This place has the peaceful natural beauty of green forests, rice fields filled with grain, many small streams, and traditional villages with ethnic minority cultures.

Mai Chau cycling tours allow you to experience all of this up close. You can cycle through lush rice fields, pass by the stilt houses of the White Thai people, and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The roads in Mai Chau are primarily flat, making it an ideal place for cycling tours and interacting with locals, learning about their customs and traditions, and sampling local dishes.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to see the Vast Rice Fields of Mai Chau is during the rice harvest season, which falls between September and October. During this period, all the fields shine bright with golden colors and present great opportunities for breathtaking shots. Going there in spring or summer from March to May, you can see a lush green landscape, with the fresh rice plants forming another beautiful but different scene. Where both seasons are nice to see, autumn is the best time for those who want to capture the iconic golden rice fields.

CYCLING IN MAI CHAU 

Cycling in Mai Chau is a fantastic experience and, in fact, one of the best places for cycling in Vietnam. In the valley, you’ll find stunning landscapes with rice fields surrounded by mountains and small villages of ethnic minority communities. The valley is almost flat, with small roads connecting the villages and virtually no traffic, making it ideal for cycling. Many foreign visitors have shared that cycling through the golden rice fields during harvest season is an unforgettable experience. 

Tourists typically begin their journey at Lac Village, the central tourist hub. Along the way, they pass through villages of the Thai ethnic community, known for their traditional stilt houses. Between these villages, vast rice fields stretch out as far as the eye can see, and on both sides of the valley, towering mountains create a stunning backdrop for the rice paddies. This is a perfect spot for capturing photos of rural Vietnam. 

Visitors may come across wandering buffalo, local farmers heading to their fields, or electric buggies from nearby resorts transporting guests around the rice fields. Travelers can join a guided tour or rent a bike from their hotel or homestay to explore independently.

MAI CHAU CYCLING ROUTE

You start your route in Lac village (the main tourist village in town). From here, you head to the main road and take a left. Follow the main road for a few hundred meters before taking a right to head to the Chieu Cave.

After visiting the cave, cycle back to the main road and take a right. Take the second or third road on your left to return to the countryside.

From this small countryside road, you can continue biking for 12 km (or even further). Along this road, you will cycle through Mai Chau’s most beautiful rice fields. Remember that you must go the same way back, so the farther you go, the farther you have to cycle back. There are many smaller countryside paths left and ride of you that you can try. They mostly end up in local villages.

You can also continue the road to the end and make a complete 40-km loop, though this is only recommended for experienced bikers with good-quality bicycles.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

One of the highlights of cycling in Mai Chau Valley is the opportunity to engage with the local ethnic minority communities, mainly the White Thai and H'mong people. These communities have preserved their traditional way of life, and interacting with them provides a rich cultural experience. Consider including the following activities in your itinerary.

• Homestays: Experience the warmth of Vietnamese hospitality by staying with local families in traditional stilt houses. Immerse yourself in their daily routines, taste delicious home-cooked meals, and gain insights into their customs and traditions.
• Traditional Dance Performances: Witness captivating conventional dance performances by the ethnic communities. The vibrant costumes, rhythmic music, and graceful movements will leave you enthralled.
• Handicraft Workshops: Engage in hands-on activities such as bamboo weaving, brocade weaving, or traditional embroidery. Learn about the intricate techniques passed down through generations and create your unique souvenir to take home.

FAMOUS PLACES YOU SHOULD VISIT IN MAI CHAU

Cycling routes in Mai Chau, Vietnam, usually start from the main town and stretch through beautiful countryside. The most reasonable option is to visit Lac village, Poom Coong village, and neighboring villages and conquer Thung Khe Pass. In addition, you can visit destinations near Mai Chau, such as Chieu Cave, Mo Luong Cave, etc.

Pu Luong nature reserve

Pu Luong Nature Reserve is not only a top attraction in Mai Chau, but also one of the biggest highlights in Vietnam. In this beautiful landscape, stunning rice terraces are immersed by bamboo water wheels.. There are local villages of ethnic minorities where you can see how they live. Trekking is the best way to explore this area of villages and paddy fields. Pu Luong is one of the hidden jewels of Vietnam.

Pom Coong Village

In Thai, the village’s name Pom means hill, and Coong means drum. Today, seven major families are living in the village. Like other villages in Mai Chau, Pom Coong village is favored by nature for its natural scenery and friendly people. The houses in the village still retain the traditional features of the Thai people, and the food in the village is diverse, such as “cơm lam”, “chả cuốn lá bưởi”, “rau rừng”, “xôi nếp nướng”, etc. Besides, visitors can enjoy national dances every night when coming to the town.

Lac village

Lac village is known as the most beautiful village in Mai Chau and the people here are friendly. The village is over 700 years old and home to five white Thai ethnic groups. The stilt houses built into homestays in Lac village still retain their traditional features, and customs are still preserved. Tourists here are excited by the delicious food, colorful traditional stalls, and beautiful young people dancing.

Thung Khe Pass

Thung Khe Pass, also known as Da Trang Pass, is in Tan Lac district bordering Mai Chau. It is very attractive place for tourists because of the “snow” of white-covered limestone mountains. Visitors are not only impressed by admiring the majestic mountains and forests of the Northwest from the top of the hill but also by the winding roads around the mountains. The climate on Thung Khe Pass is extraordinary because there are four seasons in one day.

MORE TIPS FOR TRAVELING IN MAI CHAU

Make sure to choose a bike tour that suits your skill level and interests.

• Weather in Mai Chau: The best time to cycle in Mai Chau is from October to May, when the weather is cool and dry. Avoid visiting during the rainy season (June to September), as roads can be muddy and slippery. If the weather changes unexpectedly, you should also bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and a raincoat.. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and carry a reusable water bottle. 
• Respect local customs: When cycling through Mai Chau, it is important to respect local culture and customs. Dress modestly, especially when visiting temples or religious sites. Ask permission before taking photos of locals or their homes. And always be courteous when interacting with local people