Isolated Mai Chau is a 139km trip from Hanoi, and 66km further on from Hoa Binh. Though it's not far, the trip from Hoa Binh to here takes almost two hours by motorbike due to the mountainous terrain.
Mai Chau is in a valley just over the biggest hump, about 10km from the Song Da river and only 150 metres above sea level. The village, nestled between two towering cliffs and surrounded by emerald green paddies, is an enchanting sight as you wind down the cliff side. Mai Chau itself presents an idyllic rural valley that could easily charm you into staying longer than intended.
(http://www.travelfish.org/location/vietnam/northwest_vietnam/hoa_binh/mai_chau)