A TRAVELERS’ GUIDE TO MAI CHAU AND PU LUONG TRIPS

Mai Chau and Pu Luong, located in Northwest Vietnam, are the best options for escaping Hanoi’s bustle and discovering undiscovered beauties in Vietnam. They are not too far from Hanoi. In this blog,I’ll provide you a comprehensive guide on visiting these locations and embarking on an adventure of a lifetime.

Overview

Mai Chau and Pu Luong are two picturesque regions in northern Vietnam, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

1.Mai Chau:

Location: Nestled in the Hoa Binh Province, about 135 kilometers southwest of Hanoi.

Landscape: Surrounded by lush green valleys, rice paddies, and towering limestone mountains, Mai Chau boasts stunning natural beauty.

Culture: The region is home to the White Thai ethnic group, known for their stilt houses and vibrant traditional textiles.

Activities: Visitors can enjoy trekking and cycling through the scenic landscapes, interact with local communities, and attend traditional dance performances.

How to get to Mai Chau from Hanoi?

Mai Chau is about 140 km from Hanoi.

Option 1: By Bus

Simply show up whenever you choose between 06:01 AM and 06:01 PM at the My Dinh bus station. For one of the regular buses to Hoa Binh, you won’t have to wait more than fifteen minutes. Then you can take a regular shuttle bus to Mai Chau from the Hoa Binh bus terminal. Route VND 50,000 (US$2.4) gets you to the Hoa Binh bus terminal. The bus driver will drop you off at the appropriate location and give you the right direction to Mai Chau if you tell him you are going to Mai Chau.

As an alternative, you can take a direct bus, albeit naturally, there are fewer options than with normal buses. There are four direct bus departure times from Hanoi to Mai Chau: at 6:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 2:30 PM. It costs VND 100,000 – 120,000 (US$5–6) per person and takes around 4 hours. You can walk two to three kilometers from Mai Chau town to the villages, or you can take a motorbike taxi ride for VND 50,000 (less than US$2.4).

Option 2: By Taxi: A taxi is quite pricey, but it’s okay if you don’t have a flexible travel time.

Taking a taxi is an excellent option if you don’t have a flexible schedule.

It might cost as much as 1.9 million VND per car. As always, you should discuss the price in advance.

Option 3: By Motorbike: You can freely explore and stop at any place on the road.

Instead of bus transportation, a motorbike excursion is a favorite choice of many adventure seekers. In spite of busy, dusty, noisy and potentially lethal highways, the drivers from Hanoi will be rewarded with some awesome stretches, particularly jaw-dropping views over the surrounding paddy fields and limestone karst scenery.

2. Pu Luong:

Location: Located in Thanh Hoa Province, approximately 160 kilometers northwest of Hanoi.

Landscape: Pu Luong is renowned for its pristine nature, featuring terraced rice fields, dense forests, and glistening rivers.

Biodiversity: A biodiversity hotspot, Pu Luong is home to various flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

Activities: Trekking trails lead to ethnic Thai and Muong villages, where travelers can experience the local way of life. The Pu Luong Nature Reserve offers opportunities for eco-friendly activities like bird-watching and waterfall exploration.

How to get to Pu Luong from Mai Chau?

Getting to Pu Luong from Mai Chau is relatively straightforward, and you have a few options. The exact route may depend on your mode of transportation and personal preferences, but here’s a general guide:

1. By Motorbike or Car:

   • Route 1: Mai Chau to Pu Luong via Thanh Hoa

     • Head east on QL15C until you reach Thanh Hoa City.
     • From Thanh Hoa City, take QL15A westward towards Pu Luong.
     • This route offers a mix of highways and scenic roads.

   • Route 2: Mai Chau to Pu Luong via Hoa Binh

     • Head southeast on QL15C until you reach Hoa Binh City.
     • From Hoa Binh City, take QL15B towards Pu Luong.
     • This route also offers a scenic journey through hilly landscapes.

2. By Bus:

   • There are buses that operate between Mai Chau and Pu Luong, but the availability and schedules may vary. Check with local bus stations or travel agencies for the most up-to-date information.

3. By Trekking/Hiking:

   • For the adventurous traveler, consider trekking or hiking from Mai Chau to Pu Luong. There are trekking routes that take you through the picturesque landscapes and ethnic villages.

If you want a worry-free trip to Mai Chau and Pu Luong, you can get useful recommendations from a :Authentic North Vietnam Tour To Mai Chau And Pu Luong Nature Reserve 

Accommodation in Mai Chau and Pu Luong

With so many more people traveling, Mai Chau’s lodging services are able to accommodate their increased demand. You can go independently to Mai Chau without worrying about lodging arrangements. If you want to get a taste of local daily life, a homestay is the ideal option. Mai Chau Eco Lodge comes highly recommended if you’re not comfortable enough to stay with locals. For many international travelers, it is an ideal blend of luxury and eco-style, transporting you to a natural setting.

The next day you can continue moving from Mai Chau to Pu Luong, where you can find 2 options below :

What to eat in Mai Chau and Pu Luong?

Exploring the culinary delights of Mai Chau and Pu Luong is a treat for the senses, as these regions offer a delectable array of traditional Vietnamese dishes. Here are some must-try foods:

1.Mai Chau:

Sticky Rice (Xoi): A staple in northern Vietnam, sticky rice is often enjoyed with various accompaniments like grilled pork, steamed chicken, or mixed with mung beans.

Ban (Vietnamese flatbread): Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, Ban is a delightful bread often served with condensed milk or pate.

Grilled Meat (Com Lam): Bamboo-tube-cooked rice, or Com Lam, is a unique dish. Sticky rice is mixed with young rice, and the combination is grilled in bamboo tubes, imparting a smoky flavor.

Spring Rolls (Nem): Fresh spring rolls filled with a combination of shrimp, herbs, vermicelli, and pork are a light and flavorful option.

2.Pu Luong:

Mountainous Pork (Lon Cap Nach): This dish features pork raised in the mountains, known for its distinct flavor. It’s often grilled or cooked with bamboo shoots.

Bamboo Shoot Salad (Nom Mang): A refreshing and crunchy salad made with young bamboo shoots, herbs, and a zesty dressing.

Grilled Fish (Ca Nuong): Pu Luong is surrounded by rivers, providing an abundance of fresh fish. Grilled fish, seasoned with local herbs and spices, is a must-try.

Banana Flower Salad (Nom Hoa Chuoi): A salad made from banana flowers, herbs, and peanuts, offering a unique texture and taste.

What to do on your independent trip from Mai Chau to Pu Luong?

Here are some highlights of these two destinations:

Mai Chau highlights

• Trek through terraced rice paddies and small villages in Mai Chau.
• Discover the valley’s natural beauty and the ethnic minority Thai people’s culture.
• Enjoy jaw-dropping scenery, the marvelous waterfalls, water-wheel and explore the surrounding countryside on back of a bicycle.

Pu Luong highlights

• Take a stroll around the paddy fields, or arrange a longer trek to Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
• Bargain for traditional textile items without the usual hard sell.
• Sample local specialties such as sticky rice, Co Lung duck, etc.
• Enjoy the serenity when rafting bamboo along Cham stream.
• For the most amazing experience in Pu Luong, you can hike on hidden trails along the primary forests and explore Kho Muong village.

Best time to visit Mai Chau and Pu Luong

The ideal times to visit Mai Chau and Pu Luong are in May and June or in September and October. If you visit Pu Luong during the beginning of the crop season, which begins at the end of May, you will be able to witness the picturesque verdure of Vietnam’s rice terraces. On the other hand, September is the ideal month to travel if you want to see the yellow rice paddies on the valley’s slope as farmers get ready for harvest.

#A TRAVELERS’ GUIDE TO MAI CHAU AND PU LUONG TRIPS 

We recommend the following tour, which includes lodging and an itinerary:Authentic North Vietnam Tour To Mai Chau And Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Imposing Pu Luong Tour – 2 Days 1 Night