Mai Chau is located in Hoa Binh province, approximately 140 km from Hanoi and 60 km from Hoa Binh. Many minorities, including the Thai ethnic group, live in Mai Chau. Stilt houses border both sides of the roads as you approach Mai Chau. The houses are quite large with palm leaf roofs and polished bamboo-slat floors. The kitchen is located in the center of the house; the cooking as well as the making of the colorful tho cam, the material used by Thai minority to make their clothes, takes place in the kitchen. The windows are large and decorated with patterns. Each house also has a pond to breed fish.

The home stay is with a local guest family. You will sleep within the same room (White Thai village) or a separated room (H'mong village) in the local houses. Everything within the villages is very basic, and running water is not an option. After an introduction to the village, a traditional meal will be prepared. The people in the White Thai villages are very open and sociable, the women are very beautiful, and you will be threaten like you are family. They work on the farm or on the rice fields nearby the village. This is the beauty of the area, seeing the traditional way of life within a beauty of nature.

Day 2: Mai Chau - Hanoi (B/L/-)