Are you planning a journey to Mai Chau from Hanoi but don’t know which transportation is available during this trip? With a distance of around 147km, it is not too hard to reach this rural land from Vietnam’s capital. Let’s find out how to get from Hanoi to Mai Chau and furthermore in this article with Indochina Voyages!
How to get from Hanoi to Mai Chau?
Compared to other tourist destinations, Mai Chau does not have its own railway or airport, but it is easily accessible by road at a distance of around 150km from Hanoi Old Quarter. It only takes about more than 3 hours to get there, and most of the sections are safe for the driver. Moreover, you also go through many beautiful sceneries and can take some gorgeous pictures and videos.
There are 3 options for you to get to Mai Chau from Hanoi:
By private car or motorbike
There are 2 main routes to get to Mai Chau from Hanoi with about 140 km by private car and motorbike.
The shortest one is Hanoi – Luong Son – Mai Chau. Firstly, you go to Highway 32 through Nguyen Trai (Hanoi) – Ba La junction – go straight to the town of Xuan Mai (about 1 hour for 40 km). Then from Xuan Mai crossroads, you follow National Road 6 through Hoa Binh City (about 30 minutes, 35 km), to Cun slope, then Thung Khe. After that, you go downhill to reach Tong Dau intersection then turn left for 5 km and get Mai Chau town (about 75 km in 2 hours).
Another route is Hanoi – Thang Long – Xuan Mai – Mai Chau. Initially, you follow Tran Duy Hung Street, go to Thang Long Boulevard, then turn left to Xuan Mai town and continue as the first route. This route is more than 10 km longer than the one above and there are not many beautiful landscapes on the way. However, according to Mai Chau tourists’ experience, this route has better traffic, the car can run faster so it is suitable for private cars.
By bus
Travelers are able to take a bus directly to Mai Chau or catch a bus to Son La province. After that, you will get off at Tong Dau T-junction and then take a motorbike or taxi to the Lac village (about 5 km). The bus departs from My Dinh or Yen Nghia bus station. The ticket price is about US$4.5, depending on the bus brand. Here are some recommendations for you: Hoang Thao (departing from My Dinh at 14:30 and 8:45 from Mai Chau), Ha Loan (departing from My Dinh at 7:50 and at 13:30 from Mai Chau). If you travel in a group, you should contact the bus office to negotiate prices and be picked up.
High-quality car
This is the ideal choice for those who want a high-quality car (Ford Transit or Mercedes Sprinter) organized by Maichau Tourist. This service is the most popular option selected by foreign tourists. In detail, the car stops at some destinations for a break as well as lets you go sightseeing and take pictures at Thung Khe pass. The price is US$15.5/person for a round-trip ticket. The car can pick you up in the old town or on Kim Ma Street, Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, and Lang Ha Street.
Furthermore from Mai Chau
After exploring Mai Chau, there are additional nearby destinations that you may want to discover:
Mai Chau to Pu Luong
Located approximately 50 kilometers from Mai Chau, follow the direction to Co Luong, and turn to road 15C along Ma River to reach Pu Luong Nature Reserve. On this road, you can explore roadside villages such as Duom, Hang, and Eo Ke villages. In addition, you can follow Pa Kha and Kho Muong T- junctions to reach the villages deeper inside the mountains. Especially, the deeper you go, the more peaceful and primitive villages you will find.
What can you expect in Pu Luong?
- Vietnam’s mountainous landscape but not too crowded and touristy like Sapa
- Lush and pristine nature with terraced rice fields, verdant valleys, and cascading waterfalls.
- Trekking and hiking opportunities through scenic trails
- Stunning landscapes, lush forests, and traditional ethnic villages
- Off-the-beaten-path experiences and enjoying the tranquility and serenity of the natural surroundings
Suggested Mai Chau tour to Pu Luong: Pu Luong To Ninh Binh Escape 4 Days
Mai Chau to Ninh Binh
It’s about 133 km from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh so you have to spend about 3 to 4 hours to get there. As the route from Hanoi to Mai Chau, travelers can go to Ninh Binh from Mai Chau by bus, motorbike and private car. You can contact some Vietnam tour companies for the private transfer arrangement. Taking the bus is another popular option. You can find the bus in sub-area 4 in Mai Chau town at 8:30 every day. The price is about 15.5 USD and it arrives at Ninh Binh city. However, the tickets are usually sold out on holidays and weekends so you should book in advance.
What can you expect in Ninh Binh?
- Breathtaking limestone karsts and stunning natural landscapes.
- The famous Trang An Complex and Tam Coc, known for their scenic boat rides through limestone caves and emerald-green rice fields.
- Historical sites such as Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, showcasing ancient temples and relics.
- Cycling or walking tours to explore the rural countryside and witness the local way of life.
- The opportunity to climb up to Mua Cave and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.
- Delicious local cuisine, including regional specialties like goat meat dishes and Ninh Binh-style eel vermicelli.
Suggested Mai Chau tours from Ninh Binh: Cycling the Northern Delta 7 days
Helpful Information & Tips
- The tourist destinations and villages of Mai Chau Valley are quite close so the most convenient vehicle to explore Mai Chau is a bicycle.
- Most hotels and homestays there have bicycle rental services with low prices at US$1-2/bike/day.
- If you consider traveling to Mai Chau by motorbike, you should also carry a bottle spare gasoline.
- Carry a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated, as access to drinking water may be limited in certain areas.
- Engage in responsible tourism practices by being mindful of your environmental impact and supporting local businesses and artisans.
Need more valuable information about Mai Chau? Check out now our blog: Top 10+ things to do in Mai Chau: A Complete Travel Guide & Extra Tips
Besides, Vietnam Travels Online is an expert team that focuses on customizing Vietnam tours, here are our suggested Mai Chau tours for your reference:
Hopefully, this article about “How to get from Hanoi to Mai Chau” will help you to choose the best choice to get to this marvelous and tranquil destination. By following these travel tips and choosing the transportation option that suits your preferences, you can discover the natural beauty and cultural richness of Mai Chau from Hanoi.
From Vietnam Travels Online Team – A brand of Indochina Voyages
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