| District | far west of the former Hoa Binh province; 564.54 km²; 55,663 people in 2009; 16 commune-level units |
|---|---|
| Mai Chau commune today | in Phu Tho province; 147.74 km²; 19,143 people in 2025; along National Road 15 |
| Distance | about 135 km from Hanoi |
| History | one of the five districts of the Cho Bo prefecture when the Muong province was founded in 1886 |
Vietnam – Getting to know Mai Chau
Mai Chau Valley is within the stunningly beautiful, mountainous region of Hoa Binh Province, 135km southwest of Hanoi. Many of Vietnam’s 54 indigenous ethnic minority groups live in the region, making the local Sunday market a colourful place to be! The region provides an excellent base for light trekking or cycling, thanks to the picturesque valleys and rice paddy terraces, the friendly locals, and the many small villages that make ideal destinations to break from your day’s activities.
Mai Chau is growing in popularity due to its convenient location, 4 hours by car from central Hanoi, offering the perfect retreat for visitors keen to escape the busy city streets of Hanoi and elsewhere in Vietnam.
What to do in Mai Chau
Get on your bike or take a hike, through picturesque farmland and lush natural landscapes. Pu Luong Nature Reserve stretches from Mai Chau Valley to Cuc Phuong National Park to the south east, and is rich in both cultural interests and wildlife.
Rest and rejuvenate. Mai Chau Eco Lodge complements its rural surrounds perfectly, with a handful of thatched hilltop stilt-houses to accommodate guests, and pleasant facilities (including a scenic swimming pool) that are a cut above those offered elsewhere in the area.
Alternatively, homestay accommodation can be arranged in a minority-tribe village for the more adventurous.
“Mai Chau is a great alternative to the hills of Sapa – it’s so easily accessible. The Mai Chau Eco Lodge is very special indeed, offering the perfect base to explore the region.”
The valley
Vietnamese Wikipedia describes Mai Chau as the westernmost district of the old Hoa Binh province, with an area of 564.54 square kilometers and 55,663 people in 2009. It was one of five districts of the Cho Bo prefecture when the Muong province, the forerunner of Hoa Binh, was founded in 1886. Mai Chau commune now lies in Phu Tho province, in a valley between limestone cliffs along National Road 15, about 135 kilometers from Hanoi, with 19,143 people in 2025. We have not verified the Sunday market, trekking routes or homestay details in the older text, so check them before you go.
Sources (read in Vietnamese, Vietnamese Wikipedia): Mai Châu (huyện), Mai Châu, Phú Thọ. Last checked November 2026.
Mai Chau: FAQ
Where is Mai Chau?
In a valley between limestone cliffs along National Road 15, now in Phu Tho province, about 135 kilometers from Hanoi.
How big was Mai Chau district?
564.54 square kilometers with 55,663 people in 2009.
When was the Mai Chau area organized?
It was one of five districts of the Cho Bo prefecture in the Muong province of 1886.
What province is Mai Chau in now?
Phu Tho, after the 2025 reorganization.
How many days do you need in Mai Chau?
One or two nights.