Mai Chau, a short weekend trip to escape Hanoi

Located about 150 kilometers to the West from Hanoi, Mai Chau is the last district of Hoa Binh province, bodering to Son La and Thanh Hoa provinces. The path to Mai Chau takes 3 to 4 hours from Hanoi, so it is one of the top consideration for a short weekend trip for those who reside in the city of capital. Thus, it feels as if the peaceful place woke up every weekends when people flock here.

The beautiful Mai Chau in peace

Is the path to Mai Chau safe?

The pathway from Hanoi to Mai Chau is not so hard to conquer but if you travel for the first time, do notice:

The black spot of traffic accidents is Cun slope. It’s a stunning place with long and straight pathway but terribly steep.
Be careful to get over Thung Khe pass, the road is curvy and foggy in the evening causing short sight, you’d better slow down, turn on headlight and honk.
The stunning Thung Khe pass on the way to Mai Chau from Hanoi

How to travel?

Being located only 150km from Hanoi, you can either choose to drive to enjoy the journey or take a bus departing from Yen Nghia or My Dinh station. If you decide to drive, just turn on Google map and it would do a great work of a navigator.

When is the best time to visit Mai Chau?

Being a valley surrounded by mountains, Mai Chau is dry all year long so you can visit the place at any time of a year. However, the most beautiful period is still in spring around February and March. Coming the place in spring you will have chance to immerse in the the brilliant white of peach and plum blossom.

Brilliant peach blossom in spring

If it’s summer, the entire place is shiny green with the natural dress made from rice fields and forests.

The green Mai Chau in summer

In the winter, around September and October, Mai Chau wears a stunning gold dress, the entire place turns gold when the rice fields are ready for harvesting, the weather is cool and dry, just perfect for sightseeing.