Bac Ha Market, Vietnam markets, Bac Ha is famous for its Sunday market, it is a trading centre and meeting place for couples, friends, and relatives every Sunday.

Every Sunday, Bac Ha hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands and the Chinese border.The market was very crowded, local products for sale or barter are carried on horseback. Besides the usual items like pigs, cows, chickens, and ducks, the Bac Ha market sold dogs. As dogs were available as cuts of meat, they were also available live, right next to the live pigs, chickens, and other livestock.Rounding the corner and pungent fumes of alcohol accosted our senses of smell, from corn whiskey, a Bac Ha specialty.

The potent moonshine is decanted by vendors from large white plastic jugs to used bottled water containers. If you doubt the ability of a vendor’s hooch to peel paint or light your senses on fire, you can try a shot for free.At the fair, adventurous gastronomes can try thang co blood porridge, a popular dish of the H’Mong and other local people

Coc Ly market in Lao Cai

It is the colorful market in a mountainous area where the Flower H’mong mainly gathers to exchange their homemade products.

This Tuesday market is about 35km from Bac Ha. You can get here via a fairly good road, or by road and river; hotels in Sapa and Bac Ha can organise trips. Coc ly is a small village on the Chay river inhabited by the Flower H’mong Minority people. The Flower H’mong traditionally wear a distinctive and bright coloured costume. They are a gentle, softly spoken people who live in the steep mountainous country close to the Chinese border. Because Coc Ly is more remote than Sapa, the dress and way of life is more traditional than in the large centers. The market deals in fruit, vegetable, pork and chickens, in addition to colourful fabrics and items of traditional dress. There is a buffalo sale in progress and many of these placid animals are tethered close to the market. Buffalo are still widely used in the growing process, especially in the mountainous regions. Horse are an important form of transport in the North West and a quite a few, sturdy ponies were tied to tree around the market. The horse carry a light timber frame on their back to carry produce to and from the market.

There’s no dancing or singing, but Coc Ly Market in Lao Cai Province always turns colorful and festive on Tuesdays, when ethnic people gather there to buy and sell goods, dine and drink, or just wander to enjoy the ambience of the montagnard market.

Many ethnic traders from Bac Ha and other parts of Lao Cai Province dress up in colorful costumes and bring horses, chickens, buffaloes, vegetables or whatever they can sell to the festive market in the wee hours, and will not return home until 1pm.

Certainly, what catches the eyes of visitors most are the different colors of the costumes worn by ethnic people and the handicrafts they sell at the market, about 50 kilometers from Lao Cai City in the northern province.

You can see young and old Hmong women, wearing skirts and hats with different types of embroidered flowers, crowding the market during the opening hours of Coc Ly. Scarves, clothes, decorations and other items made of tho cam (ethnic fabric) on sale also add color to the bazaar by the Chay River.

The colorful items are put on sale not just for locals but also tourists, particularly foreigners. However, you should remember to bargain when you want to buy your favorites, and the items at the booths located at the start of the path you walk on always have higher prices. Keep walking toward the end of the traditionally ethnic market until you find a real bargain.

A good idea is to stroll every corner of the once-a-week bazaar as you listen to unexpected conversations, see nice surprises and learn how ethnic people sell and buy farm produce, life’s necessities and other things.

After visiting the market, which is the most fresh and unspoiled market of the region, offering a wide range of different colorful ethnic minorities such as Flower C’mon, Black Dao, Tay , Fula, Lachi, Sandui and Nung….there will be an exciting boat cruise winding you through a breathtaking, out of this-world landscape where the mountain grow from water presenting their most hidden mysteries, including caves and tiny minority …A picnic lunch box can be prepared for your most convenience…

Can Cau market in Lao Cai

Cancau market is one of Vietnam’s most fascinating open –air market, and isolated market which takes place only on Saturday every week.  

This is a lovely local market which still retains the local quaint and authentic being of the main tourist route.

The areas is close to China border and in a hidden place, less visitors come here. – Horses, dogs, cat, pigs and textiles…. all on sales! This is of most amazing market you’ve ever seen. Opportunity to takes best photos!

Muong Khuong market in Lao Cai

Big market with a wide range of ethnic groups: Hmong, Dao, Nung, and merchants from other ethnic groups who come all the way from China to sell their products. Several Pa Zi women sell traditional incense made from the bark and resin of scented trees. 

Muong Khuong market takes place on Sundays and is located in a small border town, which is frequented by Flower H’mong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay ethnic minorities. They come from surrounding villages to buy and sell local products such as food and material for agriculture and fabric.

Opening: 6 am of Sunday
Closed time: 1 am

Location: Cat Cat Village is 2km from Sapa Townlet, Sapa District.
Characteristics: This is an age-old village of H’Mong ethnic group remaining unique customs and practices that are lots in other villages.

Visitors to Cat Cat have an opportunity to admire a lively and colorful picture. That is the image of young women sitting by looms with colorful pieces of brocade decorated with designs of flowers and birds. When these pieces of brocade are finished, they are dyed and embroidered with beautiful designs.

A noteworthy is that H’Mong women use plants and leaves to dye these brocade fabrics. And then they roll a round and smooth section of wood covered with wax on fabrics to polish them, making their colors durable.

In addition to the brocade weaving craft, many residents in Cat Cat are good at manipulating gold and silver jewelry. Their products are fairly sophisticated, especially jewelry for women.

Tourists to Cat Cat are most attracted by its unique customs, including the custom of “pulling wife”. A man can ask his friends to lure a girl he likes to his house and keeps her there in three days. During these days, if the girl agrees to become his wife, a wedding will be held. However, the girl can happily go home after three days if she does not like him.

Traditional houses of H’Mong people in Cat Cat have three rooms with three doors and covered with po mu wood roof. In the house there are three columns that stand in round or square stones. The walls are made from sawn timber. The main door is always closed and only opens when people in the house organize important events. Altar, inlaid floor containing food, places for sleeping, kitchen and receiving guests are indispensable parts of the houses.

Taphin village in Sapa

Ta Phin is a picturesque thirty minute drive North of Sapa. Set within a valley with a towering mountain peak at one end, this village is alive with the daily life of the Kinh, Red Dao and Black Hmong people.

The valley floor is layered with rice paddies and dotted with 20 small home communes. Above them are some smaller communes and a patchwork of corn and vegetable fields.

Lao Chai village in Sapa

Lao Chai is a village of black H’Mong ethnic group.

Located 7 Kms from Sapa, it is quite approachable from Sapa for a travllers who do not have much time.In this village which you will have a welcome feeling  at any house of the hospitable people there.

You can interact them, learn about their culture and customs.

Ta Van village in sapa

Ta Van is a small village set within a picturesque valley not far from the northern Vietnamese mountain resort of Sa Pa. The area is renowned for its colourful ethnic minorities, and Ta Van is home to two such groups.

A stay with one of the farmer families here will give you a close-up experience of the life-style and culture typical of the area. Trekking in the surrounding area is most satisfying, including access to a 3-day route up Mount Fan Si Pan, to the highest point in Indo-China, at 3,143 m.

A picturesque hamlet surrounded by terraced rice fields, Ta Van Day has become a new tourist attraction in Sa Pa. The name originated because it is home primarily to Day ethnic people who have been living together since long with amity and unity. So far, this is the sole hamlet in the commune of Ta Van providing homestay facilities.  A stay with local families will help you get to know about rural village life in the North-West of Vietnam as well as enjoy the cozy atmosphere of a Day peasant family.

 Just a short distance from Sa Pa, the atmosphere in Ta Van quite different. It is not active, without luxurious hotels, restaurants, and high-rise buildings. Simply, it is a quiet place for relaxation and isolation from daily busy life. You will stay in brick-roofed houses with earth floor on the mountainsides amidst terraced rice fields and primitive scenery. Yet so peaceful that you feel you are in quite different world. Perhaps, that is why visitors are especially interested in this destination. Not only you can admire the beautiful landscape, but you also can live the daily life of Day people during your stay at their homes. Again, you can feel relaxed, the peace of mind and have affection for the hospitality, warm reception and sincerity of the locals

Ban Ho village in Sapa

This vilalge is populated by the Tay minority. They were very welcoming and friendly towards people. Ban Ho Village, home to the Tay minorities and perhaps the most picturesque of the whole Challenge.

Situated alongside a turquoise fast flowing stream, it will be possible to take a little rest from a trek on one of the large boulders at the streams edge. You can also take a little time to explore this village before pushing on over the suspension bridge and trekking through ride fields to the Red Dao village of Nam Toong.

Ham Rong mountain in Sapa

Location: In center of Sapa Town, Lao Cai Province; 33km from Lao Cai City.
Characteristics: Ham Rong Mountain is an attractive tourist area in the center of Sapa Townlet.
          Legend has it that in the distance past, all animals lived together in a chaotic environment. One day, Jade Emperor gave an order that every species of animal had to find for them an area to live. Having heard the order, they scrambled for a place to reside.

The three brothers of dragon who were living in a large lake hurriedly ran to the east but could not find any place; they then ran to the west. The two older brothers ran fast and came to the destination first. The youngest brother ran slowly and strayed into the crowds of lions, tigers and big cats. Fearing that these animals would attack it, the dragon opened its mouth to defense itself. At that time, the order of Jade Emperor was no longer available, so the three dragons petrified. The two older dragons, which were waiting for their brother, face Lao Cai City, and the youngest one raising its head and opening mouth faces the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. So the mountain is named Ham Rong (Jaw of Dragon). Visitors to Ham Rong have chances to climb up the San May (Cloud Yard) to enjoy the panorama of Sapa Townlet, visit the orchid gardens with beautiful and colorful flowers. In addition, Ham Rong Mountain has numerous caves and stones in extraordinary shapes.

Ta Van Restaurants

Add: Cau May Street – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20) 871522  ; Fax: (84-20) 871539

Delta Restaurants

Add: 33 Cau May – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel:  (84-20) 871799  ; Fax: (84-20)

Hoa Sua Restaurants

Add: Thac Bac Street- SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel:  (84-20) 871766  ; Fax: (84-20)

Mimosa Restaurants

Add: Cau May Street – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20) 871377  ; Fax: (84-20)

Bamboo Restaurants

Add: Muong Hoa – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel:  (84-20) 871075  ; Fax: (84-20)

Khanh Hai Restaurants

Add: 58 Phan Xi Pang – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel:  (84-20) 872180  ; Fax: (84-20)

Hoang Lien Restaurants

Add: Cau May Street – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20) 871876  ; Fax: (84-20)

Obsvervatory Restaurants

Add: Xuan Vien Street – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20) 871126  ; Fax: (84-20)

Sa Pa Restaurants

Add: 18 Tue Tinh – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel:  (84-20) 872130  ; Fax: (84-20)

Auberge Dang Trung

Add: Cau May Street – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20) 871243  ; Fax: (84-20)

Hoa Ban Restaurants

Add: 58 Phan Xi Pang – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel:  (84-20) 871870  ; Fax: (84-20)

Lotus restaurants

Add: Cau May – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20)    ; Fax: (84-20)

Romanno Pizza Restaurants

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Tel: (84-20)   ; Fax: (84-20)

Hill Station Restaurants

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Tel: (84-20)   ; Fax: (84-20)

Buffalo Bell Restaurants

Add: Cau May – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel:  (84-20)   ; Fax: (84-20)

H’mong Kitchen Restaurants

Add: Cau May – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20)   ; Fax: (84-20)

Fansipan Restaurants

Add: Cau May – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20)   ; Fax: (84-20)

Xua va Nay Restaurants

Add: Cau May – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20)   ; Fax: (84-20)

Muong Hoa Restaurants

Add: Cau May – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20)   ; Fax: (84-20)

H’mong Sister Restaurants

Add: Cau May – SaPa Town – Lao Cai Province

Tel: (84-20)   ; Fax: (84-20)

 If you want more information, Plz contact with us!

While Dao women are indeed highly industrious, the men, it seems, prefer to spend most of their time drinking, smoking opium or sleeping, only occasionally slapping the rump of a lethargic bovine moving more slowly than they are. Few of their songs, though, are about drinking, smoking opium, sleeping or slapping rumps.

Currently you may spot some young locals singing in the dark, but they are not looking for a partner, they are looking for you. They will sing a song, and ask for a tip afterwards.

Every Saturday, the picturesque mountain village of Sa Pa comes alive with shoppers who know what they want: love. They travel from near and far to size up the goods of the day, hoping something will tickle their fancy.

Tall or short, sweet or sultry, they are all on the market, looking for love. Love markets (cho tinh) take place in the northern mountain provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Son La. A rare opportunity to mix, mingle and find a match, they are often a not-to-be-missed social event. For many young villagers, the love fests are a vital marital resource, given that many live in villages where all the inhabitants are blood relatives.

Here’s how it goes: singles strut their stuff through the market, hoping they will be lucky enough to be asked out on a date. What follows is not as simple as dinner and a movie – amorous couples must abide by the ways and mores of their ethnic nationality.

Unlike the steady flow of sensuality at Sa Pa, some loves must stand the test of time. Khai Vau market in Ha Giang province takes place only once a year, on March 27 in the lunar calendar, a date known as Phong Luu (Prosperity Day), which gives the market its name of Cho Phong Luu (market of Prosperity). According to legend, the market’s beginnings date back to the unrequited love between a young boy and girl. They met in Meo Vac, but as they were from different tribes, were forbidden to be together.

In true Shakespearean fashion, a bitter quarrel erupted between the families, and the couple was forced to end the affair. Unable to bear the thought of never seeing each other again, they decided to meet on the same day every year in Khau Vai. Today, the site of the forbidden rendezvous is home to the love market.

The market is not just for marriage hopefuls. In this rural area, it is also the social event of the year, where old friends meet up and new ones are made. No matter their age, everyone looks forward to the chance to chat over sticky rice, grilled cassava or rice dumplings. Although the market does not officially start until March 27, the celebrations begin the evening before. March 26 is a night of song and dance, the performances expressing fervent wishes for eternal love. Romantic melodies fill the night air.

There is one day in the year
I dedicate to you
I have no gold or silver
Just my true love
Come with me if you believe in me

The dancing and singing continue into the early hours, often persuading men and women into each other’s arms. That first magical night, some are lucky enough to leave the market with their new partners and walk hand in hand through the forest. But others are simply nervous: tomorrow is the big day, after all. Many have waited months for the chance to find their soul mate. The day of the Market of Prosperity is alive with different moods: happiness at meeting old friends, anxiety as others wait to meet someone new.

Whether they find a partner or not, the happy memories of the day linger in the minds of many of these mountain people. And anyway, there is always next year. Because at this market, the goods are always ripe.