Not too far from Hanoi capital city, Mai Chau and Pu Luong in the Northwest Vietnam are 2 top choices to get escape from the Hanoi’s bustle and enjoy interesting experiences in Vietnam.
Mai Chau - Pu Luong: Searching for inspiration on where to go for your dream adventure from Hanoi?
This trip offers a wide array of natural sceneries: jungle, terraced rice fields, forested limestone mountain, rivers, cascades and natural pools. It is beautiful and the local hospitality from Thai people is recognized throughout the country.
The following helpful information will be the necessary guide to an unforgettable trip at Mai Chau & Pu Luong.
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| Photo by Franzfoto |
Best time to get visit Mai Chau and Pu Luong
The period between May and June or September and October is the best time for a tour to Mai Chau and Pu Luong. The end of May marks the beginning of the crop season, so you can see charming greenery of terraces if coming to Pu Luong at this time. Alternatively, September, when farmers prepare to harvest, is the best time to visit for those who want to witness yellow rice paddies on the slope across the valley.
How to get to?
During the journey to discover Mai Chau & Pu Luong you will have 3 trips between locations.
1. Transport from Hanoi to Mai Chau
It is certainly easy to find a travel agent in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, which can help you arrange a tour package to Mai Chau. But you can absolutely go on your own according to the instructions below.
Buses directly to Mai Chau that drop off in town depart from the My Dinh bus station in Hanoi at 06:00, 07:30, 14:00 and 14:30 and cost 80,000 VND. The journey takes around 4 hours.
Alternatively buses to Hoa Binh leave Hanoi every 15 minutes between 06:00 and 18:00 (from 50,000 VND) and from Hoa Binh bus station there are regular buses to Mai Chau. The bus might drop off down the road from the bus station but if you make it clear that you're heading to Mai Chau they'll kick you off at the right place and point you in the correct direction. From Mai Chau town it's a 2-3km walk or 20,000 VND on motorbike taxi to the villages.
Instead of bus transportation, a motorbike excursion is a favorite choice of many adventure seekers. In spite of busy, dusty, noisy and more dangerous, the drivers from Hanoi will be rewarded with some awesome stretches, particularly jaw-dropping views over the surrounding paddy fields and limestone karst scenery.
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| Photo by kenh14 |
2. Transport from Mai Chau to Pu Luong
It is just about 40 kilometers from Mai Chau to Pu Luong,It is just about 40 kilometers from Mai Chau to Pu Luong,
From Mai Chau you can travel to Pu Luong by taxi, motorbike, even by bike.
Motorbike are the most chosen means of transportation. You can just enjoy the scenery of Vietnam countryside, and not spend too much time so you can experience more activities.
Another option for those who love to exercise is cycling from Mai Chau (maybe renting a bicycle in Mai Chau) to explore Pu Luong.
3. Transport from Pu Luong to Hanoi.
There is no bus route you can move from Pu Luong to Hanoi. You can only move from Pu Luong to Hanoi by private car or motorbike.
For the most convenient for a perfect journey from Hanoi to Mai Chau and Pu Luong and without unexpected risks and full exploration of the beauty of these two places, I encourage you to choose a Mai Chau & Pu Luong tour is suitable for your choice.
You will be provided with complete services, activities and experiences. learn more about Thai ethnic culture and cuisine through local guides.
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| Photo by kenh14 |
What to do in Mai Chau & Pu Luong?
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.
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.
For the most amazing backpacking experience in Pu Luong, you can hike on hidden trails along the primary forests and cool streams or drive through valley to Co Luong village and Thai village of Ban Lac to come up with the cultural space of Black Thai for cross-culture experience.
Accommodation in Mai Chau and Pu Luong
The accommodation services in Mai Chau recently can meet the demand of the dramatically increasing number of travelers. Therefore, there is no need to worry about where to stay in Mai Chau, even when you go independently.
Homestay is the best choice for those who want to experience local daily life. If you do not feel comfortable enough to be able stay with locals, Mai Chau Ecolodge is a highly recommended choice. It is a combination of luxury and eco style, giving you the feelings as being in nature, it is suitable for many foreign travelers.
The next day you can continue moving from Mai Chau to Pu Luong, where you can find Pu Luong Retreat. Located on 15C road – the main road of Thanh Lam commune and in close vicinity to many tourist attractions, it remains prominent among a number of homestays and inns here. Not being equipped with modern facilities, Pu Luong Retreat gives all guests the truly sense of nature.
There are also many other accommodation options depending on your needs. If you are looking for accommodation at these two destinations, let us know your requirements, some of our little suggestions that may suit your current needs. Email us: info@vietnamtypicaltours.com
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| Photo by internet |
Famous delicacies in Mai Chau & Pu Luong
Homestay families in Mai Chau offer traditional meals at reasonable prices. You can have a Thai dancing performance accompanied with the meal you if want. The dishes are very local: sticky rice, grilled meat, bamboo shoots and ‘Can’ wine. Some typical dishes in Mai Chau are Com Lam, Grapefruit leaves pork roll, ..
Pu Luong is home to an amazing array of vegetables such as baby pumpkin leaf, green beans and bamboo shoots. Luong cuisine will bring the distinct characteristics of Thai cuisine with grilled dishes, items, and spices with many mountains flavors.
Don't stop at the rural beauty in the villages in Mai Chau, this trip also takes you to the beauty of the golden rice fields in Pu Luong (June or October) and the cultural identity of the people Thai ethnic. If you want an adventure experience in Mai Chau & Pu Luong, we hope that this travel guide would help you a lot in planning. And if you need any assistance, Vietnam Typical Tours experts are always here to customize your vacation.
