Thanks to its beautiful landscape and fresh climate, along with folk culture, unique festivals, and traditional handicrafts imbued with the culture of ethnic groups in the Northwestern region, Mai Chau district has emerged as an ideal community tourism destination.
Tourists on a raft on Xia stream, Mai Hich commune (Mai Chau district).
Lac hamlet in Chieng Chau commune is a must-visit site in Mai Chau. Aged more than 700 years old, it is home to a Thai ethnic community. Local residents have still preserved their traditional customs. The hamlet has welcomed foreign tourists since the 1960s, and been known as a "bright spot" on Vietnam's tourism map.
Others include Pom Coong hamlet in Mai Chau district, and Van hamlet, where visitors are treated to special dishes and facilitated to explore local culture.
Further, Hich hamlet in Mai Hich commune, about 12km from the centre of Mai Chau district, is another option. Holidaymakers will have a chance to learn about Thai people’s brocade weaving, enjoy local food, and ride boats on Xia stream.
Mai Chau markets attract those who want to explore traditional culture.
Coming to Buoc hamlet in Xam Khoe commune, visitors are not only overwhelmed with the green of nature but also able to relax themselves in palm hills, terraced fields, and kitchen smoke spreading.
Meanwhile, Mong people’s hamlets in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes are luring vacationers with markets held every Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Hoang Duc Minh, Vice Chairman of the district People’s Committee, said over the past years, local authorities have restored many traditional cultural festivals to attract tourists.
Currently, the district counts more than 200 lodging businesses, including 30 resorts and hotels, and more than 170 homestays, with 15 hamlets offering tourism services.
Last year, Mai Chau served more than 500,000 visitors. Recently, the famous booking site Booking.com has announced the annual Traveler Review Award 2023 honouring Mai Chau as one of the 10 friendliest destinations in Vietnam in the year.
Alongside the diverse cultural identities of the Kinh, Muong, Tay, Thai, Dao, and Mong ethnic people, Hoa Binh province is also renowned as the "capital" of the northwestern Vietnamese cuisine, offering unique and distinctive dishes. At festivals, during Lunar New Year (Tet), or on significant family or community occasions, special dishes are prepared, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
A Phong Linh (Yellow Tabebuia) flower garden in Thang village, Thach Yen commune, Cao Phong district is currently in full bloom, drawing a large number of visitors.
Community-based tourism has been thriving in Pa Co commune, Mai Chau district thanks to advantages in natural landscape and cultural identity.
Doan Ket commune of Yen Thuy district has recently held a ceremony to receive a certificate recognising Ta communal house as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic site.
In Lac Thuy district, the fertile alluvial land along the Boi River is now home to lush green mulberry gardens, marking the emergence of a new agricultural industry - mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming.
Officially opening in February, Ngoi Hoa Ecotourism Site (PriorBay Resort) in Suoi Hoa commune, Tan Lac district, has quickly become a sought-after destination. It offers visitors a chance to indulge in distinctive and enticing experiences.
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