Mai Chau

Located about 90 km (60 miles) Southwest of Hanoi, the Mai Chau Valley is an ideal weekend getaway from Hanoi, can be coupled with a visit to Cuc Phuong National Park or as the first step in a northwest "loop" trip.

Located in Hoa Binh Province, it is home to beautiful Thai minority villages and close to mountain H'Mong minority villages. Surrounded on all sides by majestic mountains, guests usually stay in a Thai traditional stilt house with a local family and have the opportunity to learn about their culture through song and dance, handicrafts (to try and buy) and of course their special fermented new-rice wine.

Cycling, trekking, wandering chatting with locals or just enjoying the relaxed pace of life in a hammok with a beer and a book - Mai Chau is an easily accessible and stunningly beautiful place to unwind and sample rural mountain life.