The area between Hoa Binh and Mai Chau is the closest from Hanoi where one can meet ethnic minorities. It is populated mostly by the White Tai tribe. The villagers of Ban Lac, next to Mai Chau, open their thatched roofs stilt houses to travellers for rustic overnight stays, and often perform the dances and songs for which they are reknown during an evening where guests are invited to drink with long straws an alcoholic beverage called Rau Can.
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