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.
As the new year begins and festive spirit fills the air, visitors flock to Hoa Binh lake, often dubbed the "Ha Long Bay on land," to enjoy its breathtaking beauty and serene atmosphere. In spring, the lake comes alive with lush greenery and delicate blossoms, while boats carrying eager tourists glide across its tranquil waters.
With effective business operations, significant increases in the number of visitors at weekends and on public holidays, and being listed among the 71 most beautiful places to visit worldwide by the prestigious US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, Hoa Binh’s tourism is "spreading its wings" on its journey towards the targets of welcoming 4.9 million visitors, including 1 million foreigners, and achieving total tourism revenue of 5.4 trillion VND (211.89 million USD) in 2025.
On February 21, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to implement the tourism plan in 2025 and meet with tourism businesses operating in the province. The event was chaired by Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Head of the Provincial Tourism Steering Committee.
Tien Pagoda is located in the valley of Lao Noi and Lao Ngoai villages, Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district; it is surrounded by two mountain ranges stretching like two giant dragons reaching for the blue sky. Every year, when spring comes, thousands of Buddhists and tourists from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Tien Pagoda. The relic complex of Tien Pagoda is ranked as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with 21 relic sites of many types: historical and cultural relics, scenic relics, and archaeological relics.
Cao Phong has paid due attention to developing tourism, creating impetus for socio-economic development towards completing the targets set in the resolution of the district’s 28th Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure.
A great number of visitors have flocked to tourist attractions in Hoa Binh province in the first lunar month every year to admire the beautiful scenery, fully enjoy the spring atmosphere, and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere in many localities.
