Mai Chau is one of the best travel destinations in Vietnam for tourists looking for an authentic experience. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best things to do in the area. For each of these attractions, you can click on it for a full review.
Thung Khe Pass
Surrounding Mai Chau is a wonderland of green. Journey on foot through wafting fields of yellow, and trek to Thung Khe Pass for a taste of true mountain grandeur. The gorgeous scenery, seclusion and fresh air of this lofty spot are well worth the climb. The Pass is also known for its striking weather changes throughout the day, which the locals compare to a day of changing seasons. Mornings are cool and hazy like the rain in a Vietnamese spring, the afternoon brings an autumn wind but the warmth of a bright summer sun, and winter beckons with fingers of ice in the evening.
Chieu Cave in Mai Chau
To get to Chieu Cave you must climb a staggering 1,200 stone steps, but once you arrive at its mouth you will be glad you made the effort. Filled with impressive stone structures, “Hang Chiều” is like the land before time. “Chiều”, meaning ‘afternoon’, is a name given to the cave by local people, because it is made even more magnificent in the afternoon when the sun fills the cave with sparkling jewels of reflected light.
Mo Luong Cave in Mai Chau
An imposing limestone cave complex with four main grottos and two entrances, the main one of which is in Mai Chau Village. Situated inside Pu Kha Mountain, this cave is set deep into the rock with a huge variation in width, from 1m to 30m. The ceiling is at times incredibly high, and the cave itself has the ancient, timeless feel of something that was created long ago and will endure for a long time yet.
Other caves in the Mai Chau area that are well worth the visit include Pieng Kem Grotto, Khau Phuc Cave and Lang Cave.
Lac Village in Mai Chau
Lac Village is the ideal mountain refuge for a full immersion into the secluded life of Mai Chau’s ethnic Thai people. Supporting 5 Thai ethnicities – the Ha, Lo, Mac and Loc people – Lac Village is nestled among high mountain passes. Visit this village for beautiful handicrafts, from hand-woven scarves and brocade dresses to carefully tailored wallets. You can also feast on local dishes, such as fragrant bamboo cooked rice, and lose yourself in the daily life of the village.
Pom Coong Village in Mai Chau
Though it is located a short distance from Lac Village, Pom Coong Village is an attraction all of its own. The community, also of Thai ethnicity, lives in a ‘pure Thai’ space which emphasises cleanliness both in lifestyle and village infrastructure. With its crystal clean water systems and the fresh mountain air, Pom Coong Village is the ideal haven from the pressure of life. Visitors will be refreshed by the gorgeous scenery and the villagers’ peaceful way of life.
Van Village
Further away than the popular tourist spots Lac Village and Pom Coong Village, Van Village lies off the beaten track amidst magnificent North Vietnamese mountain scenery, and is famous for its authenticity and peaceful beauty. Visit this secluded spot for a true taste of ethnic Mai Chau life.
Muong and Pa Co Markets in Mai Chau
Are you a fan of spending? Do you like unique and colorful crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables and quality original products? Are you looking for something as a souvenir for your vacation? Well Mai Chau’s markets are for you then. There are a number of markets in the valley.
Muong Ethnic Market: we loved the Muong ethnic market along the road to Thung Khe Pass, where local people sell a variety of things, from beautiful flowers and healthy foods such as steamed corn, to bizarre local vegetables.
Pa Co Sunday Market: here you will find livestock, fruit and vegetables, live fish and even snails. You can nibble on ethnic and Vietnamese delicacies, marvel at the brocade cloths and hand woven traditional clothes or sip some local rice wine! This is a great market for Mai Chau souvenirs. It’s nestled halfway between Mai Chau and Moc Chau, and close to the homes of ethnic H’mong people.
Thai Ethnic Museum
Since ancient time, Thai people have lived in stilt houses to protect them from natural disasters and wild animals (tigers/bears/snakes). Through time, the stilt house has become an irreplaceable feature of Thai’s architecture. This house is one of the 4 oldest stilt houses in all of Mai Chau and also home to three generations. The grandfather built it in 1966 to welcome his wife and after that handed it down to Mr. Bang, the youngest son on the occasion of the son’s marriage. It’s Mr. Bang’s wife who takes care of your stay up here. With two children, this is a typical nuclear family in Mai Chau. The house is the gathering place for festivals and family gatherings. With that in mind, please excuse us in occasional family affair cases when locals gather in the house a little late. Different from your home in the Western culture with compartments and separate rooms for children and parents to emphasize individuality and independence; the stilt house only comprise of a communal room and a kitchen. The communal room is multifunctional. It is a living room, dining room, and bedroom at the same time. The kitchen is where all the meals are prepared and sometimes serves as a dining room only for women and children. Attached to the house are two staircases. Each staircase has 9 steps. Number 9 symbolizes for good luck and plays an important role in Vietnamese culture in general and Thai culture in particular. Not all stilt houses in Mai Chau have 9-step staircase, but the number must be an odd one. Thai people have a saying “”Khửn song phái/ cái song đay” which means “open two doors/ walking up two staircases”. Traditionally, the left stairs are used for men and guests while the right ones take the women directly to the kitchen. Despite the modernization trend in which Thai people use concrete instead of bamboo and timber to build the house, the house still preserves traditional architecture features and exists strongly. This living museum opens free from 8:00 am to 9 pm to all visitors and closes on some special traditional days. This is unavoidable fact and we hope you don’t mind. Once again, on behalf of the homestay management we hope you enjoy the visit to this living museum and understand more about Thai’s culture.
Mai Chau’s Festivals
Filled with ethnic groups, Mai Chau is home to many fascinating festivals throughout the year. We recommend five here:
Xen Muong Festival: A White Thai festival held on the 10th day of the 1st month in the Lunar Calendar. This festival welcomes a bright future for Mai Chau, and pays respect to the people’s ancestors.
Xen Xo Phon Festival: A White Thai festival held between the 1st and 28th day of the 4th Lunar Calendar month. This festival is held at the start of the dry season in Mai Chau, and is a plea for rain in the form of songs.
Cha Chieng Festival: A White Thai festival held in Spring by a local shaman. The shaman is believed to have been blessed with the power to heal disease, and this festival is a celebration of thanks from the doctor and his people to the gods for said power.
Xec Bua Festival: A Muong festival held during the Lunar New Year. A celebration of wishes! It is the custom during this festival to send wishes to one another in song, using a traditional gong as part of the music.
Long Tong Festival: A Dzao and Tay festival held from the 5th to the 15th of the first Lunar Calendar month. This festival is related to the traditional farming life of the local people, and takes place in the area’s most prosperous rice field. It’s purpose is to pray for good weather, abundant harvests and an affluent life.
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