Mai Chau
- Catherine
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
September 28-30th, 2025
After four days in Hanoi we were feeling ready for more nature/less city and caught a local bus to Mai Chau - a beautiful valley southwest of Hanoi. We enjoyed cycling through peaceful rice fields, exploring caves and the local market.
At the market, we watched as a lady reeled thread from silk worm cocoons. A few stalls down, another lady was using a foot pedal loom to weave fabric, and we bought a large patterned blanket she had made.
A short bike ride away, and a thousand steps straight up the mountain led us to Chieu Cave. We arrived just as it was starting to rain, and it was magical stepping into the shelter of a cavern full of dripping stalactites and stalagmites. Less magical was Joel disappearing into the depths of the dark and slippery cave, leaving me alone, just as I found an enormous snake skin under my foot. After this experience, we agreed that in future cave exploration, Joel would not leave me alone again in case of large snakes or bats or getting lost…..
Although the caves were great and the landscape refreshing, we agreed - the food was the highlight. Our homestay host prepared fabulous meals of grilled fish, green banana, mango, mint and lettuce (that you’d wrap in rice paper and dip in tangy sauce) fried chicken, sweet grilled pork, crispy fried spring rolls, steamed squash and of course, buckets of rice!
Towards the end of our stay, a typhoon blew in - destroying a few structures in the village and felling trees and power lines. We were very thankful to be safe and dry at the homestay during the deluge!
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