Moc Chau and Mai Chau, two precious gems of the Northwest, are the perfect destinations for those who love majestic nature, unique ethnic culture, and mountain specialties. According to statistics from the Son La Department of Tourism (2024), Moc Chau welcomed more than 3 million visitors.
With a cool climate all year round, lush green tea hills, and pure white plum blossom season, the 3-day, 2-night Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour is an ideal journey to explore the wild and idyllic beauty of the green plateau.
This article provides detailed itineraries, specific costs, saving tips, and updated information for 2025, suitable for both beginners and experienced “backpackers” who want to experience effective travel. Let's start this emotional journey!
Why should you choose Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour?
Moc Chau is considered the "Da Lat of the North" with its poetic landscape, from the Heart Tea Hill to the majestic Dai Yem Waterfall. Mai Chau, located at the foot of Thung Khe Pass, has a simple beauty with Thai stilt houses and a culture imbued with the Northwest. According to Vietnam Tourist (2025), the 3-day, 2-night Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour attracts more than 500,000 tourists each year thanks to the perfect combination of nature, culture, and cuisine . The average cost is only from 1.2-2.5 million VND/person, including transportation, meals, and entrance tickets.
FAQ: How to explore Moc Chau and Mai Chau in 3 days? Follow the detailed itinerary below!
Prepare for Moc Chau - Mai Chau 3 days 2 nights tour
To have a perfect trip, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Transportation: From Hanoi, tourist cars (1.5-2 million VND/person round trip) are popular. Rent a motorbike in Moc Chau (100,000-150,000 VND/day) to freely explore. Bicycles (50,000 VND/hour) are suitable for Lac village, Mai Chau.
Estimated cost: 1.2-2.5 million VND/person, including meals (120,000-150,000 VND/meal), accommodation (200,000-800,000 VND/night), and entrance tickets (20,000-50,000 VND/site). Package tours are more economical, from 1.2 million VND.
Supported applications: Use Vietmap, Google Maps to find your way. Book tours through Klook, BestPrice to receive 10-30% discount. Follow restaurant fanpages like Dong Hai Restaurant (facebook.com/donghaimocchau) to update the menu.
Luggage: Sports shoes, thin jacket (winter), hat, digestive medicine, and cash. Bring a cloth bag to buy specialties such as Oolong tea, Moc Chau yogurt.
Detailed itinerary of Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour 3 days 2 nights
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Ban Lac - Dai Yem Waterfall
6:00: Car and tour guide pick up at Hanoi Opera House (or meeting point). Depart for Mai Chau (130km, 3 hours). Stop at Thung Khe Pass (Hoa Binh) to take photos of the majestic mountain road, enjoy boiled corn, bamboo rice (10,000-20,000 VND).
11:30: Arrive at Lac village, Mai Chau, have lunch with specialties such as grilled stream fish, local pork (120,000 VND/meal). Check in at homestay (200,000-400,000 VND/night) or Sao Xanh hotel (500,000 VND/night).
14:00: Cycling (50,000 VND/hour) to explore Lac village, admire Thai stilt houses, traditional brocade weaving. Visit Pa Co market (Sunday, free) to buy brocade, wild honey (100,000-200,000 VND).
16:30: Travel to Moc Chau (35km, 1 hour). Visit Dai Yem waterfall (20,000 VND/ticket), admire the majestic 100m high waterfall, take photos on the Love glass bridge (50,000 VND/ticket) with unique 5D lighting effects.
19:00: Dinner at Dong Hai restaurant (Moc Chau town, 150,000 VND/meal) with specialties of fried veal and cat cabbage. Overnight at Muong Thanh hotel (800,000 VND/night) or Bo House homestay (250,000 VND/night). Free to explore Moc Chau town at night.
Day 2: Moc Chau - Ban Ang pine forest - Na Ka plum valley - Happy Land
7:00: Have buffet breakfast at the hotel (50,000-80,000 VND) or local beef noodle soup (40,000 VND/bowl). Depart to visit Ban Ang pine forest (20,000 VND/ticket), which is considered a "miniature Da Lat" with a calm lake and lush pine forests. Rent ethnic costumes (30,000 VND/set) for taking photos.
10:00: Visit Na Ka plum valley (30,000 VND/ticket), especially beautiful during plum blossom season (January-March) or plum ripening season (April-June). Pick plums yourself (20,000-30,000 VND/kg) and enjoy them in the garden.
12:00: Lunch at Nang Tien restaurant (Moc Chau town, 120,000 VND/meal) with Van Ho salmon and dried buffalo meat.
14:30: Visit Happy Land tourist area (50,000 VND/ticket), admire the flower garden with 40 species and sheep farm. Experience Bach Long glass bridge - the longest glass bridge in the world (100,000 VND/ticket) with a panoramic view of Moc Chau.
17:00: Visit Chimi Farm, pick strawberries (150,000 VND/kg), see the sunflower garden, and experience feeding sheep.
19:00: Dinner with grilled hill chicken (150,000 VND/meal). Join the campfire (100,000 VND/person, book through Maichautourist), enjoy bamboo dance and rice wine. Overnight in Moc Chau.
Day 3: Moc Chau - Heart Tea Hill - Hanoi
7:00: Breakfast at the restaurant (50,000 VND). Visit Trai Tim tea hill (free), where famous Oolong tea is produced. Rent ethnic costumes (30,000 VND/set) to take photos among the green tea hills.
9:00: Visit Moc Chau dairy farm (free), enjoy pure yogurt (15,000 VND/jar) and buy specialties as gifts (fresh milk: 20,000 VND/liter).
11:30: Lunch at A Pao restaurant (120,000 VND/meal) with wild vegetable salad and smoked meat.
13:00: Buy specialties at Moc Chau market such as Oolong tea (200,000 VND/kg), dried buffalo meat (800,000 VND/kg). Depart for Hanoi (180km, 4 hours).
18:00: Arrive in Hanoi, end of tour. Stop at Ba Vi to buy fresh milk (15,000 VND/liter) or honey (150,000 VND/liter) as gifts.
Compare package tours and self-guided tours
Choosing a package tour or a self-guided tour depends on your experience and budget. Here is a comparison table:
| Form | Cost (VND/person) | Preparation time | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package tour | 1.2-2.5 million | 1-2 weeks | Tour guide support, save time, full experience, safe | Fixed schedule, little flexibility |
| Self-sufficient | 800,000-1.8 million | 2-3 days | Flexible, free to choose destination, cost saving | Time consuming planning, easy to miss attractions |
Tips to save money for Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour
To optimize your budget, apply the following tips:
Travel economically: Rent a motorbike (VND100,000/day) or bicycle (VND50,000/hour) instead of a taxi (VND200,000/trip). Travel in a group to split the cost.
Eat smart: Choose a local restaurant like A Pao (VND 120,000/meal) instead of a tourist restaurant (VND 200,000/meal). Try a little of each dish to experience many specialties.
Buy specialties: Buy Oolong tea and dried buffalo meat at Moc Chau market (150,000-800,000 VND/kg) instead of tourist shops to avoid price hikes.
Note: Avoid going on weekends to avoid crowds and high prices. Bring cash as many shops do not accept cards. Check the weather to bring appropriate clothing (winter 10-15°C).
Frequently asked questions about Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour
1. What is the ideal time to go on the Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour?
January-March to see plum and peach blossoms; April-June to pick plums; September-November to see white mustard flowers and buckwheat flowers. October-December is cool, ideal for walking. Avoid July-August due to heavy rain.
2. How much does the Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour cost?
Package tour from 1.2-2.5 million VND/person, self-sufficient tour 800,000-1.8 million VND, depending on service and number of attractions.
3. Is the tour suitable for foreigners?
Yes, many tours provide English speaking guides (Vietnam Tourist, Maichautourist). Dishes like fried veal and cat cabbage are easy to eat, but please let us know in advance if you have food allergies.
4. What if you are not used to eating specialties like buffalo jerky?
Choose light dishes such as beef noodle soup or grilled hill chicken. Package tours often have flexible menus, request before booking.
5. Are there any activities besides sightseeing included in the tour?
Yes, cycle to Lac village, take photos of tea hills, join campfire, learn to cook specialties (200,000 VND/person via Klook), and shop at Pa Co market.
Conclusion: Discover the green plateau with Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour
The 3-day, 2-night Moc Chau - Mai Chau tour is a wonderful journey to admire the Heart Tea Hill, Dai Yem Waterfall, Ban Ang Pine Forest, and Thai ethnic culture in Lac Village. With a detailed itinerary, specific costs, and 2025 savings tips, you can easily enjoy an emotional trip without worrying about going over budget.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/tour-moc-chau-mai-chau-trai-nghiem-vien-ngoc-tay-bac-doi-che-trai-tim-3298093.html
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