Hoa Binh / Mai Chau

Hoa Binh city is the Provincial capital of Hoa Binh province and arguably the only major city you will go past if travelling to Mai Chau village. The district is located at about 135 km from Hanoi. The mountainous scenery and tribal culture of Mai Châu attracts many visitors every year.

In 2003 the district had a population of 48,570. The district covers an area of 520 km². The district capital is the city of Mai Châu.

Located 70 km south‐west of Hanoi, rich in beautiful landscapes, Hoa Binh region, in the heart of the former Tonkin, is home to the Muong and Dao ethnic minorities and the first large reservoir in Vietnam.

Further on, 60 km west of Hoa Binh, is Mai Chau a small village. Easily accessible from Hanoi, the region offers an overview of the different ethnic minorities who are inhabitants of Vietnam. There is an estimated 48,570 inhabitants including 7 Ethnic Minority groups. ‘White Thai’, ‘H’Mong’, ’Zao’, ’Muong’, ’Tay’, ’Hoa’, and ‘Viet’. Mai Chau consists mainly of the ‘White Thai’ people. The Ban Lac People have Thai ancestors that settled in the North-Western area of Vietnam. The two tribes, White Thai and Black Thai, settled in the same area and make up the largest ethnic population of the region.

Hoa Binh Dam is worth a look and there are also tours available and tickets can be purchased at the main entrance.

For those who enjoy looking at Soviet architecture there is a whole district of flat blocks that was built by the Russians on Hoa Binh street on the right side of the river. It comes complete with some Russian style flat blocks, a school and various other things. It is in some ways like walking round a soviet style town. There is also a small museum in the town with some prehistoric human remains.

Boat tours are available on Hoa Binh lake nearby and some of the islands on the lake can be accessed.