2D1N
Join-in tour
Min 1 pax
Max 24 pax
Tour start:
Tour end:
Immerse in an authentic Thai experience on our Mai Chau 2 days 1 night tour with a homestay, traditional fabric dyeing, local BBQ and seasonal swimming. This trip combines culture, nature and local life in one easy escape from Hanoi.
Mai Chau is a peaceful valley in the northwest of Vietnam and a great place for a short break from the busy city. It is only a three hour drive from Hanoi, making it perfect for a quick and refreshing getaway.
A Mai Chau 2 Days 1 Night trip brings you close to green rice fields, quiet villages and warm smiles from the Thai ethnic community.
This tour does more than show you the main sights. It gives you real moments with the local community. You learn natural fabric dyeing directly from the workers who practice this craft every day. The experience is simple, hands on and something you only find in places that still hold on to their traditions.
Your time at the homestay also adds a personal touch to the trip. Meals are cooked with local ingredients. The hosts are warm and inviting. You feel like you are staying with a family instead of checking into a hotel.
The seasonal activities bring variety to the tour. You swim in a hidden waterfall during the warmer months or relax in natural hot springs during the cooler months. The experience fits the season and keeps the trip exciting.
The motorbike ride on day two adds a sense of adventure while staying safe and comfortable. You sit behind a local driver and travel through small roads that cars do not reach. This makes the journey feel more open and personal.
These small details come together to create a trip that feels natural and memorable instead of rushed or crowded.
This tour is designed to give you the full Mai Chau experience in a short amount of time. You enjoy local culture, peaceful nature and simple village life without feeling rushed.
You leave Hanoi in the early morning and travel through quiet countryside and soft mountain roads. The journey feels calm and refreshing.
You arrive at your Thai homestay around late morning. The hosts welcome you into a traditional stilt house that is cozy and peaceful. Lunch is served with fresh local dishes.
In the afternoon, you join a cycling trip through rice paddies and small village paths. The views are wide and green, and the valley feels very open.
You stop at a brocade weaving house to see how textiles are made by hand, then learn natural fabric dyeing with local workers. It is simple, hands on and fun.
A small stream nearby is the perfect place to cool off before returning to the homestay.
In the evening, you enjoy a BBQ dinner in the front yard. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed. After dinner, you settle into your stilt house for the night.
You wake up to cool mountain air and a slow, quiet morning in the valley. Breakfast is served at the homestay before the day’s activities begin.
After breakfast, you join a motorbike ride with a local driver. The route takes you through village roads and open landscapes, giving you a close view of daily life in Mai Chau.
Seasonal swimming is included. Hot springs are available in the winter months. Waterfalls or Hoa Binh Lake are the swimming spots during summer. The water is clear and refreshing.
Later in the morning, you visit Go Lao Waterfall and relax in the natural pool. The final view is at a scenic lookout over the largest lake in the area.
Lunch is served back at the homestay. After a short rest, you return to Hanoi in the afternoon.
Mai Chau is a year round destination, and each season brings its own charm.
Spring is cool and comfortable with blooming flowers across the valley. Summer is warm and full of bright green rice fields, and it is the best time for swimming in waterfalls and streams.
Autumn is one of the most beautiful periods in Mai Chau. The rice turns golden and the air is clear, making the valley perfect for photos and slow walks. Winter is calm and quiet with cool mornings and cozy evenings. Hot springs feel especially relaxing during this time.
Pack light layers for early mornings, bring comfortable shoes for cycling and walking and carry enough cash before leaving Hanoi since ATMs are limited in the valley.
Mai Chau has a peaceful rhythm that you feel as soon as you arrive. The valley is quiet, the air is fresh and life moves slowly. You see families preparing food, children biking along the rice fields and farmers working at a calm pace. Everything feels simple and welcoming.
Cycling through the valley is one of the most memorable experiences. The path is flat and easy, and every turn gives you a new view of green fields and soft mountains. You hear the sounds of nature, smell wood smoke from stilt houses and pass friendly locals who often wave as you ride by.
At night, the valley becomes even quieter. The stilt house is cool and comfortable, and you fall asleep to soft sounds from the surrounding nature. It feels far away from the noise of Hanoi even though it is only a few hours from the city.
This calm atmosphere is what makes Mai Chau special. It is not just a place to visit but a place to slow down, breathe and enjoy simple moments.
This tour gives you experiences that most Mai Chau trips do not include. The natural fabric dyeing lesson is one of them. You work with local artisans and learn a craft that has been passed down through generations. It is simple and fun, and it gives you a real connection to Thai culture.
The homestay experience is another strong point. You do not stay in a commercial lodge. You stay with a family inside a real stilt house. Meals are homemade, conversations feel genuine and the atmosphere is warm. It feels like visiting friends instead of staying in a tourist spot.
The motorbike ride on the second morning adds a personal layer. You explore small village roads and hidden spots that big tour buses cannot reach. The views are open and fresh, and you see local life up close.
Seasonal swimming also makes this tour feel special. In summer, you swim at a hidden waterfall or at Hoa Binh Lake. In winter, you enjoy natural hot springs run by the community. The experience changes with the season, keeping the trip exciting for all travelers.
The overall pace is comfortable. You explore without rushing. You enjoy activities without crowds. You have time to slow down, take in the views and connect with the valley. This balance is what makes the tour stand out.
This tour is built around real connections with the people who live in Mai Chau. The homestay you visit is owned and run by a local Thai family, and most of the meals are prepared with ingredients grown or sourced in the valley. Your stay directly supports their income and helps keep traditional stilt houses in active use.
The fabric dyeing and weaving activities take place in small village workshops. Joining these sessions helps local artisans maintain their craft and share it with visitors who are curious about their way of life. Every lesson is a chance for the community to earn fair income from skills they have practiced for generations.
Local drivers, guides and workers are also part of the tour. They know the roads, the culture and the hidden spots of Mai Chau, and your participation supports jobs that stay within the village. This creates a positive circle where tourism benefits the community without changing their daily lifestyle.
Yes. It takes about three hours to reach Mai Chau, so the valley is perfect for a quick escape with nature, culture and peaceful scenery.
Yes. Many solo backpackers join this trip. It is a join in tour, so you meet other travelers and the experience feels friendly and social.
Yes. The cycling route is flat and simple. It is suitable for all levels and you ride at a relaxed pace through the villages and rice fields.
Yes. The homestay can prepare vegetarian meals, but you should inform us during booking so the host can prepare ingredients in advance.
Mai Chau is peaceful, friendly and full of simple moments that stay with you long after the trip ends. If you want a quick escape from Hanoi with real culture, local food, open landscapes and a warm homestay stay, this tour is a perfect choice.
Join us and experience the valley the way backpackers love it. For questions or support, reach out to us on:
Return bus ticket Hanoi - Mai Chau - Hanoi
Homestay Experience
Local English-speaking guide in Mai Chau
Meals as mentioned on (B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner)
Bicycle rental on day 1
Lesson of dyeing natural fabrics
Motorbike ride on day 2 (sit on the back of a bike)
Sightseeing entrance fees
Drinks
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Tips & Gratuity
7:00 AM – 7:30 AM Depart the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and head to the beautiful Mai Chau valley
10:30 AM Arrive at an authentic Mai Chau homestay and enjoy a delicious local lunch
2:00 PM After relaxing, spend the afternoon cycling through lush rice paddies and limestone mountains on a guided tour
7:00 PM Enjoy a BBQ night in the front yard of the homestay. Relax for the night
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM Wake up and enjoy breakfast before getting on an epic motorbike ride through the surrounding local villages to the nature and wide Tat Nang Waterfall
8:30 AM Take a dip in the natural hot springs run by the local community (during the winter) (for summer, we will enjoy swimming at the waterfall or Hoa Binh Lake)
9:30 AM Visit Go Lao Waterfall and have a chance to take a dip in the refreshing pool at the base of the falls before heading to Sunset viewpoint for some amazing views of Vietnam’s largest Lake.
11:00 AM Arrive back to the homestay for a rest and refuel with lunch
3:00 PM Get on the bus back to Hanoi.
7:00 PM Arrive back to your accommodation in Hanoi
Please note that an additional charge will apply for bookings on December 31, 2025, January 1, 2026, and during the Tet Holiday (February 16–20, 2026); some tours may not operate during Tet, so kindly contact us in advance to confirm final prices and availability