About the ride from Mai Chau to Hanoi
After spending time in quaint and cosy Mai Chau, Hanoi is the next logical stop for travelers on Vietnam’s varied tourist trail. The nation’s hectic capital buzzes with energy and action, and it offers a very different Vietnam to the one you’ll have experienced in the homely valley of Mai Chau.
But despite these differences - or maybe because of them - both Hanoi and Mai Chau are essential destinations for anyone traveling in Vietnam.
A city which pulsates with a unique energy and doesn’t stop for breath, Hanoi inexplicably feels like someone took a small, friendly village and inflated it into metropolis-sized proportions. Despite its ever-growing population of expats, nightlife and ultra-trendy hangouts, the real appeal here lies in the charming back alleys, the unparalleled street food and the warm and sincere welcomes.
If you want the thrills of big city life after Mai Chau’s simple serenity, you’ll love Hanoi. Perhaps the most thrilling city in the whole of Southeast Asia, it’s noisy, busy and sometimes jarring, but it’s endlessly exciting. From temples to lakes, friendly faces to some of the world’s best cuisine, Hanoi is a traveler’s dream.
For the 140km (87 mile) journey from Mai Chau to Hanoi, you have three options:
- Bus from Mai Chau to Hanoi - typically around 4.5 hours
- Car from Mai Chau to Hanoi - typically around 3.5 hours
- Minivan from Mai Chau to Hanoi - typically around 3.5 hours
What to see when traveling from Mai Chau to Hanoi
The journey to Hanoi from Mai Chau takes you between two contrasting parts of Vietnam, on a trip which offers way more excitement than its short duration suggests.
For the majority of your journey to Hanoi from Mai Chau, you’ll wind downhill through the region’s misty mountains. From sheer cliffs to endearing villages to packs of unruly road-clogging animals, the journey is packed with fun, charm and astonishing views.
You’ll pass waving kids, colorful tribal dress and a whole host of rudimentary roads.
But as farms, rice terraces and small homes make way to skyscrapers, luxury hotels and a constant stream of street food stalls, you’ll know you’re reaching the excitement and adventure of Vietnam’s enchanting capital.
How to get from Mai Chau to Hanoi
Taking a bus
Taking a bus from Mai Chau to Hanoi is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to save money while they tackle the relatively short journey between two of the most exciting destinations in the whole of Vietnam.
Though pretty rudimentary, the bus from Mai Chau to Hanoi has comfortable seats and reliable AC.
Taking a car
If you take an SUV Car from Mai Chau to Hanoi, you pay for the entire car and split the cost of that car between your traveling party. You don’t buy a single ticket for a single seat as you do for most journeys throughout the world!
This journey takes you from Mai Chau to Hanoi airport, so it’s a fantastic option if you don’t want to explore Hanoi after Mai Chau - or if you already have!
Taking a minivan
If you take a minivan from Mai Chau to Hanoi, you have two options:
- Buying a single ticket for a single seat, as you would for the bus from Mai Chau to Hanoi
- Hiring an entire vehicle, as you would when taking a car from Mai Chau to Hanoi
If you go for the second option, you can choose your own departure and pick up point, leaving you with lots of freedom and flexibility. Some minivans take you to central Hanoi, while others take you to Hanoi airport.
Some minivans from Mai Chau to Hanoi offer lots of luxury and comfort, while others are a little more basic.