Near the centre of Bac Ha, about 110 kilometres from Sapa, the Sao Mai hotel is a popular place for travellers looking for overnight or short stay accommodation in this area of rich cultural interest. Nearby are several local markets where of H'mong and other ethnic minority people come to exchange agricultural products, meet friends and have a good time.
The hotel has a new wooden building and an older conventional building, and two room categories, First and Second Class. The restaurant/bar has outdoor seating under plum trees and offers a range of local and international dishes at very reasonable prices.
The SaoMai is in a quiet area a few minutes walk from BacHa Market. A four-kilometre trek takes you to Ban Pho. A further two kilometres leads to the house of a former H'mong
king.