Hanoi to Mai Chau Trip Overview
Distance 118 km (73.8 miles) | |
Price range US$ 5-US$ 132 | |
Ride Duration Range 2h 30m-4h | |
Earliest Departure 20:00 | |
Latest Departure 23:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Taking a bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau
Fastest bus: 2h 30m
Cheapest bus: US$ 5

About the ride from Hanoi to Mai Chau
Nestled only a short journey away from Hanoi, Mai Chau is a quaint gem in the crown of Vietnam’s tourism scene. Humble, wholesome and hidden away, Mai Chau is a serene cultural extravaganza which offers hills, tribes, stilt houses and a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of busy Hanoi.
Traveling from Hanoi to Mai Chau allows you to experience two very different facets of life in Vietnam. While Hanoi looks to the future, with trendy bars, modern nightlife and an ever-growing expat community, Mai Chau revels in its history and heritage.
Though the small town of Mai Chau itself isn’t particularly interesting, its surroundings absolutely are. A quiet valley dotted with rice fields and small settlements, it’s a great area for laid-back hiking, cycling and relaxing.
But the real appeal here is the cultural quirk which makes the region so unique - the villages here are home to White Thai people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Vietnam. Related to tribes in China, Thailand and Laos, the villagers here offer you a very different experience to the cosmopolitan people who make up Hanoi’s huge population.
If you want to escape the madcap mayhem of Hanoi to relax somewhere a little more traditional, traveling from Hanoi to Mai Chau is a great way to do it.
For the 140km (87 mile) journey from Hanoi to Mai Chau, you have three options:
- Bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau - typically around 4.5 hours
- Car from Hanoi to Mai Chau - typically around 3.5 hours
- Minivan from Hanoi to Mai Chau - typically around 3.5 hours
Many tourists choose to rent a scooter and drive to Mai Chau from Hanoi. But riding a scooter in Vietnam can be very dangerous, especially in rural areas.
What to see when traveling from Hanoi to Mai Chau
The journey to Mai Chau from Hanoi is varied, exciting and packed with endless opportunities for roadside gawping.
The first stretch of the trip from Hanoi to Mai Chau takes you out of the capital’s gargantuan gridlocks and perpetual traffic. Your ride will gradually navigate the busy bustle of Hanoi’s chaotic roads as you meander towards scenes more quiet and quaint.
As you escape Hanoi, the roads coil and curve as you climb towards the region’s misty mountains. Large highways become poorly-maintained stretches of narrow asphalt. Skyscrapers become humble homes. Endless streams of tooting scooters become occasional villagers.
As the road from Hanoi to Mai Chau rapidly climbs upwards, you encounter steep passes, precipitous roadside drops and traditional stilted homes.
Though the journey is only 140km in length, it takes an average of around 4 hours to get there. At a pace of 35km an hour, it’s a steep and slow journey packed with astounding sights.
How to get from Hanoi to Mai Chau
Taking a bus
Taking a bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau is a great choice for anyone seeking a budget option, and it’s particularly popular with backpackers looking for a bargain.
The bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau is pretty basic, but it offers AC and comfortable seats. It’s slower than most options, but that gives you lots of time to enjoy the views!
Taking a car
With the SUV Car from Hanoi to Mai Chau, you don’t buy a single ticket for a single seat. Instead, you pay a fee for the entire car, and split that fee between your traveling party.
But here’s the big difference - this journey picks up from Hanoi airport, so it’s only an option for those wanting to reach Mai Chau directly from Hanoi’s skies. If you want to skip Hanoi entirely, this might just be the best pick for you!
Taking a minivan
There are several options for getting a minivan from Hanoi to Mai Chau.
Some work just like a bus - you buy one ticket for one individual seat. Others work more like a private car - you hire an entire minivan and split this cost between your traveling party.
The former is typically cheaper, while the latter offers more freedom, as you can choose your own departure time, and often your own departure points and arrival points. Some minivans pick up from Hanoi airport.
Some minivans from Hanoi to Mai Chau are hugely luxurious, with food, drinks, WiFi, English-speaking drivers and plush, comfortable seats.
Companies Operating from Hanoi to Mai Chau
Our travelers reviews about the ride from Hanoi to Mai Chau
Based on 678 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled from Hanoi to Mai Chau
Gerard R.
Johann R.
claudine L.
Marta K.
Maria H.
Popular stations and stops in Hanoi and Mai Chau
Departure stations in Hanoi
Arrival stations in Mai Chau
Related blog posts

Must-visit northern Vietnam destinations for nature lovers
Northern Vietnam is the perfect region for nature enthusiasts, from sightseeing to hiking and even to relaxing.

Northern Vietnam: Top weekend trips from Hanoi
Have an empty weekend planned in Hanoi? Ramp up the adventure with a visit to one of these places that seem a world away from the concrete jungle of Hanoi.

A ride of love: Romantic travel moments
These scenarios may not seem like the recipe for love at first, but have everything it takes to turn the trip of a lifetime into a lifetime of happiness.
Questions & Answers for Traveling from Hanoi to Mai Chau
What is the most popular transportation service from Hanoi to Mai Chau?
What is the distance between Hanoi to Mai Chau?
What is the fastest transportation service from Hanoi to Mai Chau?
What is the cheapest transport option from Hanoi and Mai Chau?
Who are the service providers on this route?
CAR: Hanoi VIP Transfer
MINIVAN: Hanoi VIP Transfer | Anh Dung Limousine | Phuong Ha Limousine | Azura
BUS: Mai Chau Nature Lodge | Techbus VN JSC | Grouptour - obsolete | Thu Bang
Why travel with Bookaway?
Bookaway.com makes it simple and easy to find, compare, and buy city-to-city tickets via bus, train, ferry, and more. We support over 13 languages and 23 currencies worldwide, and we believe that everyone should easily be able to find and purchase what they are looking for. We don’t just want to help you get where you want to go - we want you to enjoy the ride.






