| Option | Duration | Price per person (observed) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip with cycling and lunch | about 10 hours | about 32 to 51 USD | short on time, first look |
| 2 days, 1 night, stilt house | 2 days | about 90 to 130 USD | the most balanced option |
| 2 days with Pu Luong (trek) | 2 days | about 108 to 185 USD | walkers |
| 3 to 4 days (Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Pu Luong) | 3 to 4 days | from about 230 USD | travellers with time |
One day or two?
With 3.5 to 4 hours each way, a day trip leaves about 5 hours on site: a viewpoint over the valley, lunch in a village, a bike ride through the rice fields and a village visit. With a night you sleep in a stilt house with a local family, see a dance show in the evening and walk at your own pace. If you like walking, two days are much better.
What you do there
- Walking and cycling between rice fields and hamlets.
- Lunch and, on the overnight option, a family dinner.
- Traditional dances in the evening (overnight option).
- Wilder Pu Luong as an extension (trek).
Getting there without a tour
The sources found mostly describe organised tours; we found no verified public bus timetable. A private car with driver is the alternative.
When to go
The rice fields are green in summer and golden in September-October; from December to February the north is cool and grey. See the best time to visit Hanoi.
Check before booking
- Pick-up from your Old Quarter hotel.
- Lunch, bike hire and village fees: included or not?
- For the night: dorm or private room (big price differences).
Further reading
Compare with another excursion: Ninh Binh in a day, the Sapa trek or the Ha Giang loop.
FAQ
How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Mai Chau? About 3.5 to 4 hours by road.
Is one day enough? Yes for a first look, but a night in a stilt house is much more enjoyable.
How much does it cost? About 32 to 51 USD for a day, 90 to 130 USD for 2 days and 1 night.
