Mai Chau off the beaten track : Less touristy route in Mai Chau

Mai Chau will be on the top list if you want to find somewhere similar to Sapa but way less touristy. Many of you are looking for off-the-beaten-track routes where fewer tourists are traveling in Mai Chau. In this article, you will find out destinations and routes where people don’t go. It is all about Mai Chau off the beaten track guide

Most of the destinations in Mai Chau below are suitable for those who plan to take a guided tour since it is not a common tourist trail.

Mai Chau off the beaten track where less travellers going

Pa Co Sunday Market and Hang Kia

Paco market is held on Sunday, 30 kilometers from Mai Chau town. Within a 45-minute drive from Mai Chau, the meeting point of Hmong tribes who live near this area. 

Like most of the hill-tribe markets in the far North of Vietnam, most of the locals who live away from the market, so that they choose a day to meet each other to trade goods and products. 

You can see local Hmong tribes selling and buying a variety of items such as traditional clothes, farming tools, local food, snacks

If you want to avoid bus tours, try to leave the hotel around 7 am because most of the tours from Mai Chau depart at 8 am, with just a few tourists, don’t worry about overcrowded or something. 

As a traveler, I may recommend you to try local breakfast like donuts, buying some souvenirs, or traditional clothes if you like. It is also a way to support the local community 

Just 7 kilometers from Pa Co Sunday market is Hang Kia, a little village that is the settlement of the Hmong community. You can experience the day-to-day activities of the Hmong like craft paper making and brocade weaving. 

Please note that if it rains, you don’t see locals dry craft paper

Trekking Na Meo to Sampa

This unique trekking route in Mai Chau is off the beaten track where no independent travelers are going, only for those who take the guided tour. Moreover, this route is the only route in Mai Chau to see terraced rice paddies. So I highly recommend this route for those who like to explore nature, enjoy the stunning landscape of the Mai Chau region, and learn about the local culture. 

The duration can be from 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the guide. From Mai Chau, it takes 20 to 25 minutes to travel by car to get to the trekking spot. So it will a half-day tour. 

If you would like to extend your trekking route, it can be 1 hour extra, just tell the guide how far you want to trek from the beginning then he/she will manage the trekking route.

Boat trip in Ba Khan and soak up at Go Lao waterfall

A relaxing boat ride in Hoa Binh lake

The reason I put them together is because they are on the same route, about half an hour to 40-minute drive from Mai Chau. It’s a good option for backpackers and young travelers who like outdoor activities, and swimming. If you would like a special tour, fishing with a net can be arranged, guided by local fishermen to show you how to catch fish with fishing nets.

Be aware that, it may be not accessible if there is a landslide sometimes. Make sure you check with locals or homestay owners before traveling. You can hire a scooter from your place to arrange a guided tour to get there. It can be done as a half-day tour. 

For those who stay in Mai Chau hideaway resort, you can choose to kayak, or swim to trek to nearby villages.

The kayaking tour around Ba Khan Lake is unique to this resort. If you want a paradise that is hideaway from the tourist trails then staying in Mai Chau hideaway resort is a good option.

This is all Mai Chau off the beaten-track routes that I want to introduce to you in this article, I will update them more information shortly. 

I hope that you have found Mai Chau hidden gems for your less touristy trips