Mai Chau in February greets travelers with cool, dry weather, averaging 22°C by day and dipping to 12-14°C at night. It’s the perfect time to explore scenic rice fields, join ethnic festivals, or simply enjoy the peaceful mountain air. Wondering what to pack, where to go, and what to expect? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about visiting Mai Chau in February.
In temperature in Mai Chau in February is between 10-14°C (50-57°F) in the mornings and nights, and a nice 22-24°C (72-75°F) in the middle of the day. This means Mai Chau in February is perfect for exploring, hiking, and biking without the worry of unbearable heat or humidity.
The humidity at Mai Chau ranges from 72% to 84% in February. It’s nice and cool, not sticky or oppressive. This means you can enjoy nature with things like a mountain view and rice paddies in complete comfort.
The rain is light and infrequent. You can also look forward to between 12 and 47 mm of rain throughout the month, on 3−10 days of showers. Showers are short and are more likely to occur at night, and will rarely disrupt your travel plans. This lack of precipitation has contributed to the appeal of Mai Chau in February.
February means roughly 11.4 hours of daylight per day, and sunrise happens around 6:30 AM, while the sun sets around 5:50 PM. That’s enough time to explore Mai Chau from the morning markets to the afternoon strolls. The average wind speed of 7.8 mph ensures the valley remains cool and breezy at all times.
Plum Blossoms Bloom in February (Source: bambooairways)
Temperatures in Mai Chau can fluctuate between cool mornings (10°C) and warm, sunlit afternoons (reaching up to 24°C), so layering is key. Pack:
If you are a fan of hiking through rice paddy fields or participating in a local outdoor activities program, pack breathable materials and sturdy hiking boots.
Beyond clothes, you’ll want to carry:
February tends to be quite dry, though you never know what to expect with mountain weather – yes, that certainly applies whether you’re checking the weather in Sapa, Vietnam, or are in Mai Chau February.
That’s the classic loop which every tourist should at least attempt in Mai Chau February! You’ll cycle or walk through three traditional Thai ethnic minority villages: Ban Lac, Pom Coong, and Na Phon. The route is approximately 5-6km long, is flat and easy, and it takes you through rice paddies, bamboo groves, and local homesteads.
The average temperature in Mai Chau is 22 °C, it doesn’t get too hot or humid, so you can go for a nice long morning cycle or an afternoon easy walk. In between, you can pause to talk to locals, watch Thai people weaving brocade, or quaff a fresh glass of sugarcane juice. Most homestays in Ban Lac offer bicycle rentals (30,000-50,000 VND/day), so it’s super convenient.
Biking to Lac – Pom Coong – Na Phon Trail (Source: dulich)
Ba Khan is a gem that few know about near Hoa Binh Lake, which is often referred to as the “miniature Ha Long Bay on land.” Mai Chau February, its lake mirrors calm, reflecting the towering limestone cliffs which seem to form the shoreline. You can walk along the banks, jump in a small boat, or just chill at Ba Khan Village Resort, a terrific place to take a break with fabulous views.
Nearby, Thac Go Lao is a waterfall hidden in the woods and a great place for a peaceful nature walk. February is in the dry season, so the paths are safe, and the flow is clear but not overly strong. Follow the rock steps to the bottom, put your toes in the cool stream, and absorb the beauty all around.
Thac Go Lao (Source: xanhsm)
Want to start your day in a legitimately magical way? Continue to Hang Kia – Pa Co (altitude 1,200m). This is cloud-hunter paradise, particularly in Mai Chau in February combines with the rising sun to produce a tumultuous sea of clouds sweeping down the valleys.
You need to leave no later than 5.30 AM from the centre of Mai Chau town, preferably on a motorbike or with a guide, no more than 1 hour in a car. When you get there, the view is otherworldly – clouds at your feet, mountains on the horizon, nothing but the touch of crisp air against your cheek. Below, read up on this area that many people confuse with the Vietnam snow Sapa (which is actually Vietnam!) Many travelers even say it’s prettier than the weather in Sapa, Vietnam, at this time of year – and they’re correct!
Tip: Combine cloud hunting with a trip to the Pa Co Sunday market, where Hmong (an indigenous people) sell traditional clothes, herbal medicines, and hot corn wine.
Cloud Hunting: Hang Kia (Source: laodong)
Thung Khe Pass, or Da Trang Pass as it is often called, is one of the most picturesque places in the entire province of Hoa Binh. February in Mai Chau tends to be clear, and in the morning, the white limestone cliffs reflect the golden light as though the ground were covered in snow, which is the origin of the name “White Rock Pass.”
Grab some sticky rice in bamboo (com lam) and grilled corn at the local roadside market, then walk out for jaw-dropping views of the valley below. The golden hour of the sunset, bewitchingly, appears most dramatic from the rice fields behind Ban Lac village or the observation hill near Pom Coong village. All that soft golden light can make anything from trees to water to rocks look green, orange, and bronze – a literal dream for landscape freaks like myself.
Take Pictures at Deo Thung Khe (Source: vietsensetravel)
This is around the 9th – 10th lunar day, and it is the biggest annual ethnic festival in the area, which is closely associated with the spiritual life of Thai ethnic minorities.
The ceremonial parade includes village elders, shamans, buffalo sacrifices, and trays of local food offerings in honor of the ancestors. The entire community comes together to receive a blessing upon the land and the crop. What follows? An explosion of life: firecracker contests, archery games, flute and drum performances, and non-stop dancing!
Visitors are welcome! Simply show up early, dress politely, and prepare to have a cup of rice wine put into your hand before things get started. A memorable way to experience Mai Chau, without just going through the motions, is through its soul.
Xen Ban – Xen Muong Festival (Source: baosonla)
Every 18th and 19th of February 2024 (Lunar 9th and 10th), this event commemorates the acknowledgement of Keng Loong (drum-dance) as be Vietnam National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
At the center of Mai Chau February, this is a huge event not only for tourists but also for the local people who live in adjacent provinces. Among the performances are the giant drum dance, bamboo flute music, and bewitching artists in stunning ethnic costumes, particularly those of the White Thai.
There’s no better place to see how cultural heritage is not merely conserved, but joyfully lived.
Keng Loong Heritage Celebration (Source: vietnam)
This spiritual festival is held from the 7th day of Tet’s first lunar month to the end of March in order to pay homage to Mother Thuong Ngan of the pre-Vietnamese myth.
Joining the words, Da River and Festival together, the festival is beautifully set on the poetic Da River, blending spiritual rituals with spiritual mountain landscapes. You’ll experience:
Ba Chua Thac Bo Temple Festival (Source: phuday)
07:30 AM – Departure from Hanoi (Old Quarter)
Embark on your journey for about 150km to Mai Chau from Hanoi on a scenic motorbike ride for 3.5 to 4 hours on the National Highway 6 (QL6). In February, the morning air, fresh and cool, is your wake-up call to the highlands.
10:30 AM – Stop at Thung Khe Pass (Deo Da Trang)
Stopover at the famous viewpoint to have fresh grilled corn and hot tea while appreciating panoramic views of the valley. During Mai Chau February is frequently clear skies, which means this is an excellent place for photography.
So very nice! After a foggy and cold destination like weather in Sapa, Vietnam, Thung Khe is an excellent start!
11:30 AM – Arrive in Ban Lac (Chieng Chau Commune)
Overnight at a homestay (eg, Homestay Thai Hai, A Puc Homestay) nested among the rice fields and stilt houses. You’ll be greeted by green tea and Thai smiles.
12:30 PM – Traditional lunch at the homestay
Enjoy a traditional meal of grilled pork, sticky rice, bamboo shoot soup, and fresh mountain vegetables.
2:00 PM – Biking tour: Lac – Pom Coong – Na Phon
Go on a 3-5 km cycling loop through quiet villages, cycling past weaving workshops, buffalo-grazed rice paddies, and wooden houses. In Mai Chau in February, the average temperature in Mai Chau is 22°C – great for easy biking that doesn’t involve sweating!
4:00 PM – Visit brocade and craft stalls
You can shop for handicrafts, learn to weave with the artisans, or buy hand-dyed scarves and woven bags from local minority families.
6:30 PM – Dinner & Thai Cultural Show
Get a hot shower and have dinner with your host family. At 8 PM, watch an in-house traditional Xoe dance (bamboo pole dancing, flutes, and fire wine included). It is an intimate way to get to know Mai Chau’s rich culture.
Brocade Booth (Source: maichauhideaway)
6:00 AM – Optional Sunrise Trek to Hang Chieu Cave
Hike 1,200 steps to Hang Chieu for a beautiful sunrise overlooking misty valleys. Mai Chau February light cloaks golden over the rice fields – perfect for photographers and early birds.
OR 6:30 AM – Visit Ba Khan Valley (20km from Mai Chau)
Prefer lakes over caves? Ba Khan is a quiet, photogenic place that’s great for walking, boating, or just soaking in the silence. In February, low humidity and clear skies make it one of the most stunning outdoor experiences in the area.
9:30 AM – Festival Visit (If during mid-February)
For those who visit during the Xen Ban – Xen Muong Festival or the Keng Loóng drum heritage event, it shouldn’t be missed! These take place in Chieng Chau Commune, and include:
It’s a rare opportunity to experience genuine highland heritage in a manner seldom seen by tourists. Mai Chau February is in contrast to the fickle climate of Sapa, Vietnam, which can be cloudy or cold, which, in turn, may mediate to hinder these types of outdoor festivities.
11:30 AM – Return to homestay, pack & check-out
Wave farewell to your hosts and take a light snack for the road.
12:30 PM – Drive back to Hanoi (via QL6)
(Stop for lunch along the way in Moc Chau or Cao Phong, where fresh oranges and sticky rice are specialties.) You won’t be back in Hanoi before 4:30-5:00 PM, with beautiful memories that are filled with mouthwatering mountain food!
Ba Khan Valley (Source: vntrip)
In other words, Mai Chau in February is a destination made in a traveler’s heaven, offering fresh air, well-preserved culture, and charming landscapes. With comfortable temperatures, minimal rain, and colorful festivals (not to mention smaller crowds), it’s one of the most enjoyable times to visit Mai. Still deciding? Compare it with the weather in Sapa Vietnam, or read further in our article about Best Time to Visit Mai Chau Vietnam – but believe us, February may win you over.
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This eco way travel route to bring you via the 3 provinces in the north of Vietnam: Hoa Binh - Thanh Hoa - Ninh Binh and It is one of the most wonderful combinations between Pu Luong Tours, Mai Chau Tours, and Ninh Binh Tours.
We escape from Hanoi bristling city then explore Mai Chau by trekking and riding a bike around Poong Coong Thai Village, transfer to visit Pu Luong trekking and experience of homestay at Muong – Thai Ethnic people.
It is one of the most wonderful combinations between Ba Khan in Mai Chau Trekking Tour & Hoa Binh lake boat Trip. Then day tour to Ninh Binh with amazing landscapes and experiences of biking and rowing boat.
Mai Chau has become one of the 10 friendliest destinations in Vietnam selected by Traveller Review Awards 2023. The highlights captivate international visitors by its natural charm and national cultural identity.
