Mai Chau is a district of Hoa Binh Province in the Northwest region of Vietnam.
The district is located at about 135 km from Ha Noi. The verdant mountainous scenery and tribal culture of Mai Chau attracts many visitors every year.
In 2003 the district had a population of 48,570. The district covers an area of 520 km². The district capital is the city of Mai Chau.
Geography
Mai Chau is a mountainous region located in Hoa Binh Province, approximately 135 km from Hanoi (3.5 hour drive)and 65 km from Hòa Bình town. This idyllic valley is embraced by emerald mountains and clouds, making it an retreat centre in North Vietnam.
Culture
There is an estimated 48,570 inhabitants including 7 Ethnic Minority groups. ‘White Thai’, ‘H’Mong’, ’Zao’, ’Muong’, ’Tay’, ’Hoa’, and ‘Viet’. Mai Chau consists mainly of the ‘White Thai’ people. The Ban Lac People have Thai ancestors that settled in the North-Western area of Vietnam. The two tribes, White Thai and Black Thai, settled in the same area and make up the largest ethnic population of the region.
Architecture
The Mai Chau area is well known for its stilt houses. The type of stilt houses, or pile dwellings, they construct are called Thai stilt houses and are made of bamboo and timber. These houses are elevated 10–12 feet off the ground in order to avoid water damage and shelter animals from the elements.
