In the tale of two 'Chaus' told by travel writers, Moc Chau is noted for it's tea, and Yen Chau is the place to go for mangoes. Though, only in season -- on our arrival in late winter, there were none to be had. The Vietnamese like them unripened, tart, and dipped in salt. Be sure to order some up if you're here in season.

If you're travelling on your own, and you get a late start out of Mai Chau en-route to Son La, you're likely to take a shine to Yen Chau as a good place to hole up for the night and finish the last 60 km in the morning -- especially if it's mango season.

Orientation
As you enter Yen Chau along Highway 6 from Moc Chau, the highway continues to the left and to the right is most of the town and the central market.

Every few days (every other day in summer) Yen Chau experiences a planned power blackout from 17:00 to 19:00. Ironic since it ain't that far from the power plant in Hoa Binh, but apparently all that energy goes to Saigon.

Internet: Highway 6, across from the Huong Sen Hotel, Yen Chau. T: (022) 840 569. Hours: 07:00 to 23:00. 4,000 VND per hour.
Post Office: Tieu Khu 2 (Highway 6), Yen Chau. T: (022) 840 155, F: (022) 840 153. Hours: 07:00 to 21:00 daily.