Hoa Binh

60km south-west of Hanoi, set in the foothills of spectacular limestone mountains lies Hoa Binh. The area has a colourful mixture of ethnic minorities, ancient pagodas and diverse landscapes. Hoa Binh is the starting-point for excursions to the Muong and the Thai-minorities still living in their traditional pile-dwellings. Enjoy traditional dances and taste traditional tribal food prepared especially for visitors from afar, visit the villages of the Muong and Dzao people and see how their lives are unchanged by time, see the extraordinary structure of the Russian built Hoa Binh dam (620m wide) and journey down the Black River.

A 30-km drive from Hoa Binh will lead to Kim Boi Hot Spring, which is at a constant temperature of 360C, continuously spouting out. The scientific tests have shown that the mineral water at Kim Boi can use in the treatment of many diseases. 

Mai Chau

60 km west of Hoa Binh is Mai Chau. It is a very beautiful area surrounded by green valley and stilt houses. Most people here are ethnic Thai. Staying in one Thai-style stilt house and trekking to minority’s villages such as Lac village of the Thai ethnic group, Xa Linh of the H’Mong ethnic group… are interesting things