Hoa Binh is a lush, mountainous province in Vietnam's north-western region, some 74 kilometres south-west of Hanoi. Exploring this sparsely-populated region of Vietnam, enjoy scenic trekking tours and the chance to see the distinct cultures of the colourful hill-tribe people who live here, the Muong, Kinh, Thai, Tay, Dzao, Hmong and Hoa people.
Hoa Binh town is the largest community to visit in this province of ten districts, while those seeking more a more remote escape travel 60 kilometres further west to see the traditional stilt-houses and verdant landscape of the Mai Chau valley. Those who time it right can gain more insight into hill-tribe traditions by joining a local festival, or any time of year offers the chance to pick up some of the vivid and intricate locally made crafts and clothing in the market.
Driving tours along the precarious yet picturesque mountain passes are an exciting way to explore the beautiful countryside and, for those with the strength and stamina, cycling is another ideal way to see the sights of Hoa Binh province. Hoa Binh means 'peace' and indeed this is one of the most peaceful and pleasant areas you'll find in Vietnam.
Being close to Hanoi, with mountainous terrain, Hoa Binh recently is the choice of many tourists for a short trip when coming to Vietnam. A tip for travelling Hoa Binh is to visit it in a day or a couple of day. Especially, if you come to this landscape on a hot summer day, you will enjoy the cool and fresh air of the high land area. If you want to feel the not too harsh cold, you can choose to visit Hoa Binh on any winter day.
From Hanoi to Hoa Binh, you can travel in two ways:
By shuttle bus: You can go to the bus station in Hanoi and easily take one to Hoa Binh in just over 3 hours with the ticket price from 80,000 to 100,000VND/person.
By motorcycle: Many young people like to choose this way of moving to experience the new feeling for the trip. You can completely move to Hoa Binh by this means but remember to bring all necessary documents, helmet, hat, and mask to avoid dust and sunshine.
There is no doubt that Mai Chau is the most famous attraction in Hoa Binh. Located in the west of Hoa Binh province, Mai Chau attract tourists by interesting experiences while conquering adventurous passes, visiting villages of local people, admiring vast rice fields, beautiful flower valleys or enjoying strange but attractive cuisines here. On the way to Mai Chau, it would be a pity if you do not stop at Thung Khe Pass, which is about 1000m above sea level. From here, you will have a panoramic view of wonderful natural scenes with clouds moving right on your head.
It is not by chance that Thung Nai is called as the “pearl” of Hoa Binh or Halong Bay on land of Vietnam. Exploring Thung Nai on a small boat, you will have the opportunity to see the rocky islands in the middle of the lake and admire the virgin forests. Coming here, you will be surrounded by all the beautiful sceneries, from lakes with the jade green water color to blue sky with clouds floating right above your head. Thung Nai is majestic but still has a poetic and romantic beauty. That’s why it is becoming more and more popular with both domestic and foreign tourists.
Kim Boi – Hoa Binh is really an ideal place for everyone to relax in the winter. When the cold rushes all over the country, enjoying the feeling of soaking in the pure and warm hot spring is the most wonderful things. Because it makes you relieve stress completely as well as wash away worries. This open mineral stream with high mineral ratio is very good for human health. It supports the treatment of bone diseases, pain and gastrointestinal diseases.
Kim Boi Hot Spring is a natural hot mineral spring in Mo Da Hamlet, Ha Bi Commune, Kim Boi District, Hoa Binh Province. It’s about 70 km from Hanoi along Highway 6 and 30 km from Hoa Binh City. This is a resort location near Hanoi, very suitable for weekend 2 days 1 night.
Small valley of Ba Khan belongs to the area of Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir. It is almost isolated from the outside world. So, the scene of Ba Khan still retains the pristine charm that is attractive to all visitors. From the center of Hoa Binh city, you have to go about 50km along the direction of National Route 16 to Mai Chau to reach Ba Khan. At the foot of Thung Khe Pass, turn right at the fork before the pass. Since the traffic here is quite convenient and the journey is not too long, Ba Khan is chosen as the destination to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Do you know that there is another inland Ha Long Bay in Vietnam besides Hoa Binh? It’s here!
If going as a group, you can go camping together. Ba Khan also has an ideal camping site for tourists that is on the banks of Ba Khan Lake. However, the services at Ba Khan have not grown much. So, if you camp here you should prepare furniture and food before your trip.
As the heart of Vietnam's hill-tribe culture, Hoa Binh has a rich variety of textiles and traditional arts and crafts sold in the village markets. Be sure to also visit some local homes and watch the creation of beautiful fabrics and clothing by the skilled hands of ladies weaving on their looms. Mai Chau has a Sunday market, which brings in tribes-people from the surrounding hills to sell their wares including their signature tho cam embroidered fabrics and agricultural products including bananas and corn. Polite bargaining is the norm here; be sure to keep it light and friendly.
Arts and crafts unique to Hoa Binh include go lua, figures and furniture sculpted from tree trunks; mats, hand baskets, hats, fruit trays and lampshades made with hand-made bamboo wattle; and beautiful brocade weaving using indigo dyed cotton and coloured silk on hand-crafted looms. The brocade fabrics are then made into pillow cases, tablecloths, bed spreads and other decorative items for the home.
Hoa Binh's mountainous terrain with lakes, caves and forests is an outdoor lover's dream. Trekking is the most popular activity in Hoa Binh, with guided tours available to take you into tribal villages, along rice fields and up some challenging hills. Mai Chau serves as a base for most of the province's trekking journeys. Among the most popular is an 18-kilometre trek that leads from Lac village in Mai Chau up a mountain pass through White Thai tribal territory to Xa Linh village, where the Hmong people live. The trek is usually done over two days with a one-night's stay at a village. The caves of Hoa Binh are fascinating not only for their stunning geographical features but as historical sites containing many ancient artefacts. Spelunkers and rock-climbers can be amateur archaeologists at the same time, at such sites as Khu Trai mountain cave with thousands of fragments of ancient pottery, rice and stone and a trail that dates back tens of thousands of years. Cho Cave and Muoi Cave also contain ancient relics. The Mai Chau Lodge resort offers half- and full-day kayaking tours of its neighbouring lake, which includes a walk past a waterfall to a Muong style house.
You need more information, do not hesitate to contact Indochina Charm Tours
✣ www.indochinacharmtours.com/ info@indochinacharmtours.com
