Hanoi - Mai Chau: How to get to Mai Chau from Hanoi?

Escape the famous tourist destinations with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, to Mai Chau which is ideal for a scenic and relaxing hike in the world of Thai people. In recent years, this valley has been particularly popular with young people and families for a weekend get-away without having to go too far from Hanoi.

Found in the Northwest of Hoa Binh province, Mai Chau is close to the districts of Moc Chau (Son La) and Quan Hoa (Thanh Hoa). If you book a few days for hiking, a combined Mai Chau - Moc Chau or Mai Chau - Puluong circuit is perfect for enjoying the mountains and meeting the Thai and Muong ethnic groups.

To help you prepare for your trip to Mai Chau, let our little notebook guide you to find better solutions to go from Hanoi to Mai Chau, and also the places not to be missed.

When to visit Mai Chau?

The pleasant temperatures all year round reinforce the attraction of the picturesque nature of this hilly region. The best times to enjoy Mai Chau are March and April or October to December.

How to get around in Mai Chau?

Not too daunting in size, the Mai Chau valley can be visited by bicycle or on foot. You can hire a bicycle to explore the surrounding villages and places at your own pace. Bike rental is available from locals and homestays in Mai Chau for between 20,000 and 50,000 VND.

Distance between Hanoi and Mai Chau

The village of Mai Chau is about 140 km from Hanoi.

Means of transport to go to Mai Chau from Hanoi

Given its location not far from Hanoi, you can reach Mai Chau by motorbike, private car or bus following the road Hanoi - Hoa Binh (70km) and then Hoa Binh - Mai Chau (65km).

By motorbike: it takes around 4 hours by road if you choose the first 2 options which are classic.

+ Option 1: Departure from Nguyen Trai (Ha Dong) - Quang Trung - Ba La - Chuc Son - Xuan Mai - Luong Son - Ky Son - Hoa Binh - Cao Phong - Tan Lac - Thung Khe Pass - National Road or QL 15 - Mai Chau

+ Option 2: Thang Long - Hoa Lac - Xuan Mai - National Road QL 6 - Mai Chau

+ Very recent and fastest option: motorway or CT08 connecting Hoa Lac to Hoa Binh, put into service in October 2018. This will reduce the 20 km journey from Hanoi - Mai Chau compared to QL6.

By bus: allow around 3 hours to drive and take a bus to one of the bus stations in Hanoi, My Dinh, Giap Bat and Yen Nghia. A good alternative for those who prefer to leave from downtown Hanoi is the Moc Chau Express bus.

If the car does not stop at Mai Chau city, you can ask to leave you at the Tong Dau crossroads, 5 km from the town. Then take a motorcycle taxi to access it.

Bus Hanoi - Mai Chau

From Hanoi bus stations

Address:

+ My Dinh bus station: 20 Pham Hung street, My Dinh 2, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi

+ Giap Bat bus station: Km6 Giai Phong street, Hoang Mai, Hanoi

+ Yen Nghia bus station: National road or QL 6, Yen Nghia, Ha Dong, Hanoi

Departure from My Dinh bus station:

Go to the main station serving Mai Chau, there are number of buses connecting Hanoi to Mai Chau namely:

Ha Long: Departure from Hanoi around 7.50 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. / from Mai Chau around 8.00 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.
Hoang Thao: Departure from Hanoi at 2:30 p.m. / from Mai Chau at 8:30 a.m.
Cuong Coi: Departure from Hanoi at 6:30 am / from Mai Chau at 11:30 am.
K Linh: Departure from Hanoi at 1:30 p.m. / from Mai Chau at 6:50 a.m.

Notes: the journey made with these companies is correct, offering good seats, air conditioning, bottles of water and professional service. These buses have the advantage of going directly to Mai Chau city.

Departure from Giap Bat bus station:

Some quality buses to Mai Chau to mention

Duc Hieu: Departure from Hanoi around 11am
Tung Ninh: Departure from Hanoi at 7:30 am
Tien Dat: Daily departure from Hanoi around 12 pm

Notes: Buses departing from Giap Bat do not pass through Mai Chau city but can take you to a nearby location. You will have to take a motorcycle taxi to access the city.

Departure from Yen Nghia bus station

Vinh Trong: Departure from Hanoi at 2 pm / from Mai Chau around 5 pm
Thu Bang: Departure from Hanoi at 12 pm / from Mai Chau at 6.30 pm
Anh Dung: Departure from Hanoi at 4 pm / from Mai Chau at 7:30 pm

     >> More details ontimetable/prices and to book a Hanoi - Mai Chau bus.

From downtown and the old quarter of Hanoi

Bus Hanoi - Mai Chau (Fuso 16 seats)

Price: from 200,000 VND

Schedule:

6:30 am - 7:00 am: departure from the Opera Hanoi or hotels in the old quarter of Hanoi

10:30 am: arrival at Mai Chau

Bus Mai Chau - Hanoi (Fuso rosa 19 seats)

2:30 pm: Departure from Mai Chau at the Mai Chau Valley View hotel

5:00 pm: Arrival in Hanoi, stop at the Grand Plaza Hotel, Tran Duy Hung Street

6:00 pm: Stop at hotels in the old quarter and Hanoi Opera House

What to visit in Mai Chau?

You may not know where to walk to enjoy the most beautiful places in Mai Chau. We have everything you need in the following articles:

>> What to eat in Mai Chau?

>> Top things to do in Mai Chau and the surrounding

>>  The Hmong Pa Co market in Mai Chau