INTRODUCTION

MAI CHAU - HOA BINH
The area between Hoa Binh and Mai Chau is the closest from Hanoi where one can meet ethnic minorities. It is populated mostly by the White Thai tribe. The villagers of Ban Lac, next to Mai Chau, open their thatched roofs stilt houses to travelers for rustic home stay, and often perform the traditional dances and songs whilst guests are invited to taste local rice wine ( Ruou Can) using long straws. The combination between eco tourism and  trekking.

From the top of Cun Mountain, one can admire the superb panorama of Mai Chau surrounded by a green valley and stilt houses. Many minorities, including the Thai ethnic group, live in Mai Chau.

Stilt houses border both sides of the roads. The houses are quite large with palm leaf roofs and polished bamboo-slat floors. The kitchen is located in the center of the house; the cooking as well as the making of the colorful tho cam, the material used by Thai minority to make their clothes, takes place in the kitchen. The windows are large and decorated with patterns. Each house also has a pond to breed fish. The Sunday market brings a lot of people into town. People from different minorities living in the mountains come to Mai Chau market to sell their specific products: honey, bananas, corn, and tho cam made by skilled Thai women. The Sunday market is also an occasion to enjoy traditional Thai dishes and to participate in traditional dances.

With the flood gates in full swing, the torrent of water creates a very damp wind tunnel, as the air is sucked under the thousands of cubic metres of water rushing past each second. It’s inspiring stuff, standing on the viewing platform just beside the wall of water.

The roads through this country region are lined with stalls hawking ruou can a sweet rice wine that is popular for parties or day trips where you want to get hammered. Ruou can is delivered from a pot via thin bamboo straws, of which there are many. As a team of drinkers race to guzzle it down, water is added to the mix until its drunk dry. The leafy turns through the foothills are a prime spot to stop off and have a little dram.

Mai Chau is the perfect escape from hectic Hanoi, and really ought to be visited even if you are on a tight tour schedule.