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.
