Getting from Hanoi to Mai Chau

About the ride from Hanoi to Mai Chau

Nestled only a short journey away from Hanoi, Mai Chau is a quaint gem in the crown of Vietnam’s tourism scene. Humble, wholesome and hidden away, Mai Chau is a serene cultural extravaganza which offers hills, tribes, stilt houses and a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of busy Hanoi.

Traveling from Hanoi to Mai Chau allows you to experience two very different facets of life in Vietnam. While Hanoi looks to the future, with trendy bars, modern nightlife and an ever-growing expat community, Mai Chau revels in its history and heritage. 

Though the small town of Mai Chau itself isn’t particularly interesting, its surroundings absolutely are. A quiet valley dotted with rice fields and small settlements, it’s a great area for laid-back hiking, cycling and relaxing. 

But the real appeal here is the cultural quirk which makes the region so unique - the villages here are home to White Thai people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Vietnam. Related to tribes in China, Thailand and Laos, the villagers here offer you a very different experience to the cosmopolitan people who make up Hanoi’s huge population.

If you want to escape the madcap mayhem of Hanoi to relax somewhere a little more traditional, traveling from Hanoi to Mai Chau is a great way to do it. 

For the 140km (87 mile) journey from Hanoi to Mai Chau, you have three options: 

• Bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau - typically around 4.5 hours
• Car from Hanoi to Mai Chau - typically around 3.5 hours
• Minivan from Hanoi to Mai Chau - typically around 3.5 hours

Many tourists choose to rent a scooter and drive to Mai Chau from Hanoi. But riding a scooter in Vietnam can be very dangerous, especially in rural areas. 

 

What to see when traveling from Hanoi to Mai Chau

The journey to Mai Chau from Hanoi is varied, exciting and packed with endless opportunities for roadside gawping.

The first stretch of the trip from Hanoi to Mai Chau takes you out of the capital’s gargantuan gridlocks and perpetual traffic. Your ride will gradually navigate the busy bustle of Hanoi’s chaotic roads as you meander towards scenes more quiet and quaint.

As you escape Hanoi, the roads coil and curve as you climb towards the region’s misty mountains. Large highways become poorly-maintained stretches of narrow asphalt. Skyscrapers become humble homes. Endless streams of tooting scooters become occasional villagers.

As the road from Hanoi to Mai Chau rapidly climbs upwards, you encounter steep passes, precipitous roadside drops and traditional stilted homes.

Though the journey is only 140km in length, it takes an average of around 4 hours to get there. At a pace of 35km an hour, it’s a steep and slow journey packed with astounding sights.

 

How to get from Hanoi to Mai Chau

Taking a bus

Taking a bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau is a great choice for anyone seeking a budget option, and it’s particularly popular with backpackers looking for a bargain.
The bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau is pretty basic, but it offers AC and comfortable seats. It’s slower than most options, but that gives you lots of time to enjoy the views!

Taking a car 

With the SUV Car from Hanoi to Mai Chau, you don’t buy a single ticket for a single seat. Instead, you pay a fee for the entire car, and split that fee between your traveling party.
But here’s the big difference - this journey picks up from Hanoi airport, so it’s only an option for those wanting to reach Mai Chau directly from Hanoi’s skies. If you want to skip Hanoi entirely, this might just be the best pick for you!

Taking a minivan

There are several options for getting a minivan from Hanoi to Mai Chau. 
Some work just like a bus - you buy one ticket for one individual seat. Others work more like a private car - you hire an entire minivan and split this cost between your traveling party.
The former is typically cheaper, while the latter offers more freedom, as you can choose your own departure time, and often your own departure points and arrival points. Some minivans pick up from Hanoi airport.
Some minivans from Hanoi to Mai Chau are hugely luxurious, with food, drinks, WiFi, English-speaking drivers and plush, comfortable seats.