Things to do in

Mai Châu

Sightseeing in the small mountain village of Phu Long is not a very popular tour from Hanoi, but it was definitely something I would recommend. There were only my husband and I and one other woman on the tour, and we traveled in an SUV. It was a long 4-hour trip, but because we were a small group, we were flexible with toilet breaks, and the car was spacious and the seats were comfortable. The Whatsapp backup in advance was also very detailed, so I think I was able to participate with peace of mind. After arriving in Phu Long, we met up with the local guide and first walked to Bat Cave. I think we walked through the village and mountain path for 30 minutes each way, but the scenery was so beautiful that we didn't feel the time passing. Bat Cave was incredibly huge and a truly breathtaking experience. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to go inside the day tour, but even seeing it from the outside was very satisfying. After that, we moved to a restaurant halfway down the road for lunch, where local home-style dishes were lined up and all of them were delicious, so we were very satisfied. By the way, this restaurant is built on a hill and has a spectacular view. Afterwards, we passed through an area with a beautiful view of the rice terraces, entered a village at the foot of the mountain and rented a mountain bike to cycle. It was a wonderful time experiencing the original Vietnamese landscape that is still untainted by tourism. Finally, we stopped by a souvenir shop in the village that sells handmade products to finish the trip. It was a long journey back, but I was exhausted and fast asleep. It was a relaxing and luxurious experience that you can only get in a tourist spot that is not yet famous. I recommend it!