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) |
 | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Vietnamese. (March 2009) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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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.[citation needed]
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
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
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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
Gallery
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Stick house construction -
Stilt house construction -
Stilt house construction -
Stilt house -
Traditional weaving -
Woman weaving -
Shuttles used in weaving -
Traditional crafts -
Traditional crafts -
Bamboo drying -
People of Mai Chau, Woman with blackened teeth -
Traditional music
References
- ^ a b "Districts of Vietnam". Statoids. Retrieved March 13, 2009.
External links
20°40′01″N 105°00′00″E / 20.667°N 105.000°E
| Điện Biên province |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Hòa Bình province | ||
| Lai Châu province | ||
| Lào Cai province | ||
| Sơn La province | ||
| Yên Bái province | ||
※ denotes provincial seat. | ||