The isolated rural district of Mai Chau lies tucked away in an idyllic valley in northern Vietnam. The area is known for its excellent hiking and biking opportunities as well as its picturesque pastoral landscape and laidback village lifestyle. The district’s capital city, also known as Mai Chau, is commonly used as a springboard for exploring the area’s many traditional villages which are famous for their stilt houses featuring palm leaf roofs, bamboo-slat floors, and large, patterned windows. For a wonderfully authentic Vietnamese experience, visitors can enjoy an overnight homestay in one of these stilted houses where they can interact with the locals and learn about their traditions and customs.