Mai Châu District

Mai Châu District
Huyện Mai Châu
Rural district
Country  Vietnam
Region Northwest
Province Hòa Bình
Capital Mai Châu
Area
 • Total 200 sq mi (520 km2)
Population (2003)
 • Total 48,570
Time zone UTC+7 (UTC + 7)

Mai Châu is a rural district of Hòa Bình Province in the Northwest region of Vietnam. The district is located at about 160 km from Ha Noi. The scenery of Mai Châu attracts many tourists.

In 2003, the district had a population of 48,570.[1] The district covers an area of 520 km². The district capital is the city of Mai Châu.[1]

Geographical features

Mai Châu is a mountainous region located in Hòa Bình Province, approximately 135 km from Hanoi and 65 km from Hòa Bình.

Cultural overview

Woman had blackened teeth, difficult to see in photo
Doing the laundry

The Ban Lac People have Thai ancestors that settled in the North-Western area of Vietnam. The two tribes, White Thai and Black Thai, settled in the same area and make up the largest ethnic population of the region.

Architecture

Thai stilt house

The Mai Châu area is well known for its stilt houses. The type of stilt houses, or pile dwellings, they construct are called Thai stilt houses and are made of bamboo and timber. These houses are elevated 3.0–3.7 metres (10–12 ft) off the ground to avoid water damage and shelter animals from the elements.

Environmental pressures

Mai Châu faces several environmental concerns;

  • Deforestation - Land continues to be cleared to produce more crops
  • Trash - Mai Châu faces a garbage disposal problem and this is evident in the diminishing quality of their water courses
  • Tourism - A gradual influx of tourists puts strain on the local environment

References

  1. 1 2 "Districts of Vietnam". Statoids. Retrieved March 13, 2009.

Coordinates: 20°40′01″N 105°00′00″E / 20.667°N 105.000°E / 20.667; 105.000

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