West and southwest of Hanoi, the mountains open into quiet valleys. Mai Chau, about 150 km from the capital, is a valley of rice paddies and Thai stilt-house villages, easy to explore by bike in a day.
Further south, Pu Luong Nature Reserve has terraced rice fields, bamboo forests, old waterwheels and streams for bamboo rafting, a slower place for a night or two.
Best time to go
September–October for golden rice and May–June for green terraces and water in the fields; winter is cool and misty.
What it feels like
- Cycling past rice paddies and stilt houses
- Quiet village trails and bamboo forest
- Bamboo rafting on a mountain stream
A local's tip
Bring comfortable shoes for village paths, and a swimsuit for streams and pools in summer.
Tours in Mai Chau & Pu Luong
Guides for Mai Chau & Pu Luong
Pu Luong Nature Reserve: Treks, Waterwheels and Stilt Houses
Pu Luong Nature Reserve explained: what a 2-day trek from Hanoi looks like, silk weaving, waterwheels, bamboo rafting, when to go and Pu Luong vs Mai Chau.
4 min read
Mai Chau Day Trip from Hanoi: Market, Pass and Village Cycling
What a Mai Chau day trip from Hanoi looks like: a Muong market, Thung Khe Pass, lunch in the valley and cycling through the villages, plus when to choose Pu Luong.
4 min read