Mai Chau

The bucolic Mai Chau valley is a mere 150km away from Hanoi, though the town feels like it’s in a world of its own. Rice paddies and fields are spread throughout the vista, while the mountains fall behind the horizon sluggishly. The sounds of nature – specifically, the chirping birds, buffalo mumbles, chicken squawks, and kids having fun in the fields will be music to your ears. Mai Chau may have turned into a very popular vacation destination, but its inviting and lax ambiance is well maintained.  

The town is situated in an arable valley surrounded by sprawling hills that are covered in dense green forestry. The town’s fields and paddies are the primary substance for the inhabitants. During the spring, the fields bloom with vegetation. In the summertime, the changes happen gradually. By Autumn, the paddies morph into a blanket of gold.

A majority of the town is inhabited by the White Thai ethnic groups, though there are other groups in the vicinity, including Xa Linh in the H’mong Village. Each village smoothly integrates with the environment. Most of the homes are expertly constructed with a mix of timber and bamboo, along with other natural materials. Farming and weaving, which are the primary trades here, appeal to travelers that the area allures. Local family hospitality is a big part of the region’s charm. The environment’s relaxed atmosphere feels ancillary to the kindness of the Mai Chau people.

Most travelers to Mai Chau can spend the night in a bamboo slit home. You’ll experience the warming hospitality of families who reside there. You can consume a hearty meal made up of local produce with a homestay family, and bond with them while drinking local rice wine. The places to sleep in these wooden houses are roomy and offer a basic atmosphere to rest in. Nighttime in Mai Chau is tranquil and still – the perfect ambiance after a long exploration day.

Residents of Thai ethnic minority communities have a reputation for being creative, as you will see from detailed brocades that are hand-weaved. The women work outside of their handcrafted looms, skillfully embroidering each thread to produce intricate patterns. You can look on as these women work or try to do some weaving with them!

Thai folk dancing is another conventional culture  as rural Vietnam stories are articulated in dance performances. Youngsters wear time-honored attire and dance to music, sometimes with an ensemble of cheers and songs. Young ladies get lost in a sea of colors as they move through the air weaving fans. The festive atmosphere of each performance will leave audiences mesmerized.

The largest weekly social event is the Sunday market. People from neighboring villages come together to sell wares and mingle with friends. Pa Cho Market is a mere 20km away from Mai Chu and is open each Sunday. There, you will notice H’mong natives  sporting multicolored embroidery their clothing. The brocade’s stalls are paired by handcrafted products, fresh produce, and animals.

As with most of the agricultural communities in Asia, Spring is when the new lunar year is commemorated. Happiness and prosperity are wished for in the coming year. Xen Bang Xen Mong is celebrated by Mai Chau’s Thai people.

The villages get colorful, and the smell of delicious food emanating from stilt homes fills the air. Once the preliminary tributes of offerings to the gods are performed, villagers unite to play conventional games like nem con. In this competitive game, a rag-made ball is thrown in the air before being shot with either a gun or a bow and arrow. Every year, the valley comes alive with the sound of Thai drums. Each person puts on their best garments, and the town becomes a flurry of excitement for the approaching festivities.