[Vietnam’s 63 Provinces Project] Province No.49: Hoa Binh #1

A Weekend of Digital Detox

Vietnamese national flags lining a narrow path between rice fields. (Photo: KAISEIWORLD)

As part of my bucket list project to visit all 63 provinces of Vietnam, I traveled to Hoa Binh Province in northern Vietnam, marking the 49th province on my journey.

Since starting this project, I had assumed that I had already visited most of the provinces surrounding Vietnam’s major cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. However, Hoa Binh, despite being only about a three-hour drive from Hanoi, was a place I had somehow overlooked.

It was close enough for a weekend getaway, yet I had never made the trip. It was a perfect example of the saying, “Sometimes, we overlook what is right under our noses.” Sometimes, the places closest to us are the ones we forget to explore.

But visiting Hoa Binh was not the only purpose of this trip. I had another goal in mind: digital detox.

The development of the internet has made our lives more convenient than ever. At the same time, the constant stream of information we receive through social media can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving me mentally exhausted.

That is why, on this trip, I decided to disconnect from the digital world as much as possible. I wanted to immerse myself in nature, experience local culture, and enjoy a slower, more peaceful weekend away from the constant flow of information.

A Beautiful Valley Mai Chau

A man harvesting rice in the fields (Photo: KAISEIWORLD)

I took a shared minibus with 10 seats from Hanoi and arrived in Mai Châu, Hòa Bình Province, after about a three-hour journey, including a short stop at a rest area along the way.

Mai Châu is a beautiful rural valley in northern Vietnam, surrounded by mountains and lush rice fields. With its peaceful villages and scenic countryside, it offers a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The area is also known for the traditional culture of ethnic minority communities, particularly the Thai people, and their traditional stilt houses. Visitors can explore the villages by bicycle, enjoy local home-cooked meals, and experience the local way of life by staying in a homestay.

During this trip, I hope to immerse myself in nature and local culture while taking a break from my usual routine and enjoying a slower-paced weekend.

Rice Harvest Season

A woman spreading freshly harvested rice along a narrow path to dry in the sun (Photo: KAISEIWORLD)

When I visited Mai Châu in October, it was harvest season. The rice that had been planted in spring was finally ready to be harvested, and throughout the villages, I often saw local people working together to bring in the rice.

Another distinctive sight was the freshly harvested rice, still enclosed in its husks, spread out on large sheets along the narrow paths between the rice fields to dry under the sun. Seeing these scenes of everyday rural life gave me a glimpse into the local traditions and the close-knit community of Mai Châu.

Another scene that left a lasting impression on me was at dusk, when smoke from burning rice stalks rose from the middle of the rice fields, drawing thin lines into the evening sky.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of city life behind, cycling through the countryside surrounded by endless rice fields was the perfect way to disconnect from the digital world. As the wind swept through the golden rice stalks, I could take in the gentle rustling of the fields and the warm, earthy scent of the ripened rice.

It was exactly the kind of peaceful escape I had been looking for during this digital detox trip.

And, to be honest, the unreliable internet connection helped, too!

The Lifeblood of the Village

A woman washing clothes at a communal washing area in the village (Photo: KAISEIWORLD)

Water from the mountains flowed through an intricate network of small canals running between the rice fields.

I also came across communal washing areas scattered throughout the villages. They reminded me of something that might have been common in rural Japan several decades ago. It was fascinating to see local residents using these shared spaces to wash their clothes and fresh vegetables.

These water points are an essential part of everyday life in the community, while the network of waterways serves as the lifeblood of the rice fields, sustaining the agriculture that the local people depend on.

The water was so clear that I could see fish swimming beneath the surface. I even spotted local children swimming in the water in their everyday clothes. It was a simple yet memorable scene, and one that I might no longer come across in places like Osaka, where I grew up, or Hanoi, where modern urban life has become the norm.

In the next article, I’ll take you along as I explore Mai Châu’s attractions and visit local villages to discover more about the region’s culture and everyday life.

I’ll also be sharing a video of this trip on YouTube soon, so stay tuned!

Let’s explore Vietnam together!