Nestled within the mountains of Hoa Binh province, Mai Chau is a small rural town known for its beauty, as well as being a settlement of the ethnic Thai people. Four hours from Hanoi, Mai Chau is a timeless village where rice paddies, Thai-styled creaky wooden stilt homes, and old-fashioned traditions are the norm. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, we were able to get a glimpse into, not only rural life in Vietnam, but also a unique perspective of the history and traditions of the Tai culture (often spelled “Thai”, much to the confusion of Westerners since they bear no connection to the people of Thailand).