Mai Chau Farmstay

The bungalows are really nice, some looking out over a little lake, and the family and staff are lovely. Breakfast was quite okay, and dinner was very, very good. I would go back, though the roosters made it hard to sleep. They wander around and start screaming incredibly loudly at 4 a.m. Also, there's no heating and no door that closes completely, so it gets cold indoors when it's cold outside. In hot weather, there's no air conditioning either.

The rice paddies outside our room looked stunning, and the room itself was comfortable enough. It felt like a homely stay, with a very friendly family. There were cultural dances in the evening too.

We got free bicycles and a tour of the area, and the owners were accommodating and always keen to help. The location was nice, near other homestays but not too close to the city, and the food came in generous portions. The price was very good. The rooms were extremely basic, though. Our sink was broken, and the sheets didn't seem very clean. They didn't have all the advertised services on site, such as motorbikes, but they tried hard to find some for us. Meals that weren't included were very expensive.

The setting is quite modest, but lunch and dinner were great. We did the three-hour walk through authentic villages and really enjoyed the experience. Tam Loc village has lots of homestays, though this place is quieter and you can still walk into the village. Watch out for mosquitoes. I'd go back.