Mai Chau
A limestone valley in northern Vietnam where Thai villages such as Bản Lác sit about 135 km from Hanoi.
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Mai Châu sits in Phú Thọ province, part of the Northern Midlands and Mountains of Vietnam. The commune lies in a valley hemmed in by limestone cliffs, in the province's southwest, and National Route 15 runs through it. It is about 135 km from Hanoi. Bản Lác, a Thai village inside the commune, draws many visitors. Most residents are Thai, Kinh and Mường people, and the name itself is a Kinh rendering of Chiềng Sại, a Tai-language name.
Mai Châu borders Sơn La province to the north and Thanh Hóa province to the south, and Tân Lạc commune lies about 35 km away. Neighbouring communes include Tân Mai, Mai Hạ, Bao La and Pà Cò. The township was set up on 26 December 1990 as the seat of Mai Châu district. After the 2025 reforms it merged into the commune, which now sits directly under Phú Thọ province. The commune centre is in hamlet 2.
Mai Chau in five
- Sleep in a stilt house at Lac or Pom CoongWhite Thai families run simple homestays in both villages, set among limestone outcrops and paddies. Home-cooked dinners are a highlight, so book a night, not a lunch stop.
- Cycle the valley pathsBicycles are the best way to get around, since narrow paths link stilt-house clusters, farms and paddies. Electric carts can take you between villages if cycling is too much.
- Go on a Sunday for the morning marketOn Sunday the market draws ethnic minority families in traditional dress. Weavers sell fabrics from ancient looms, and gentle bargaining is expected.
- Add Pu Luong or Hoa Binh Lake for a full dayPu Luong Nature Reserve has cool streams, waterfalls and pools. Kayaking on Hoa Binh Lake is the other full-day option.
- Take a direct bus from Hanoi or hire a carMai Chau is about 140 km from Hanoi. Local buses run direct to Mai Chau town, a short walk from Lac and Pom Coong villages.Hanoi
Things to do in Mai Chau
See all attractions in Mai Chau
Need to know
- Airport
- None; fly to Hanoi (Noi Bai), then travel by road
- Getting there
- About 140 km from Hanoi by local bus, car or motorbike
- Getting around
- Bicycle, electric cart or motorbike
- Best base
- Lac or Pom Coong village, or Mai Chau town
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Cool, mistyJanuaryCloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, misty
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Cool, drizzleFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, drizzle
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°MildMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Warm, greenAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- MayRain19 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°HotMayRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 257 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JuneRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°Monsoon startsJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 282 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Monsoon starts
- JulyRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°Monsoon, floodsJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 350 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Monsoon, floods
- AugustRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Monsoon, floodsAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 501 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Monsoon, floods
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Rice ripeningSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 373 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rice ripening
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Golden riceOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 223 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Golden rice
- NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Harvest, clearNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Harvest, clear
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Cool, dryDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Mai Chau, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Mai Chau
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 94%
Mai Chau
09:58 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today24°19°94%Tuesday: Rain. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Wed27°18°7%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Thu27°20°83%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Fri25°19°96%Friday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat25°18°88%Saturday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Sun23°17°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Mon19°15°94%Monday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 94%.
Updated 08:34 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,744 VND
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Apr–MayGiong FestivalHanoi, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Pu Luong Nature Reservea full day tripCool streams, waterfalls and aquamarine pools among the trees.
- Hoa Binh Lakea full day tripA kayaking excursion on a lake ringed by jungled hills.
- Sunday morning marketin the valley, on Sundays onlyWeavers, fabrics and ethnic minority families in traditional dress.
Before you go to Mai Chau
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Rules for Mai Chau, checked
- The rain season runs from June to September in the north, and flooding can disrupt overland travel; check conditions before booking transfers.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Mai Chau
The starting point, with buses direct to Mai Chau
Read the guideHa Giang ProvinceA far bigger mountain road trip for later
Read the guideNorthwest VietnamSapa, Mu Cang Chai, Mai Chau and Pu Luong
Read the guideCuc Phuong National ParkForest park on the way south from Hanoi
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamNorth, center and south by month
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for bikes, buses and wet roads
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideMai Chau FAQ
Is Mai Chau worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a night or two of village life, cycling and home cooking within reach of Hanoi. Skip it if you want big sights, nightlife or a long list of attractions.
How do you get from Hanoi to Mai Chau?
It is about 140 km. Local buses run direct from the capital to Mai Chau town, or you can hire a car or motorbike. From Son La or Dien Bien, ask the driver to stop at the Mai Chau turn-off.
What is the best time to visit Mai Chau?
March to May and September to November, with October the most beautiful because the harvest turns the rice gold. June to August monsoons can flood local roads.
How many nights should you stay in Mai Chau?
One or two. One night gives you a stilt-house dinner and a cycle at dusk, and a second adds Pu Luong or a kayak day on Hoa Binh Lake.
Is Mai Chau better than Ha Giang?
They suit different trips. Mai Chau is a gentle valley stay close to Hanoi, while Ha Giang is a multi-day mountain road trip about six hours from the capital.