Not-Missed Markets in Sapa

Sapa has a great diversity of ethnic minorities; the total population is 36,000 people that consist mostly of minority groups. Each ethnic group has a difference in dress, lifestyle, customs, and methods of cultivation together with the distinct cultural identity. All these differences are shown in daily life activities, especially in markets: Bac Ha market, Cao Son market, Can Cau Market....To explore this diversity, you should join Sapa tour trekking or Sapa tour 3 days 4 nights including markets in itinerary.

1. Bac Ha Market

Being a minority ethnic people market, Bac Ha market is located in 80 km from Sapa. Bac Ha is famous for its Sunday market which is a trading centre and meeting place for couples, friends, and relatives.

Every Sunday, Bac Ha hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands and the Chinese border. It is the largest and most colorful market in the area and attracts throngs of villagers from the surrounding hill tribes. Some walk several hours for the weekly opportunity to trade and barter food, animals, clothes and household goods. 80km from Sapa, Bac Ha Market is not only the place for buying and selling, but also a place for cultural and sentiment exchanging. On the market days, right from the early morning, all paths and mountain roads are full of people and horses pouring to the market. People usually sit in groups around a soup pan (“thang co”) eating and chatting.

Bac Ha market 

2. Cao Son Market

Cao Son market is located in Cao Son commune, Lao Cai province. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact and learn more about the daily life of ethnic. In order to Cao Son market, visitors can follow several routes. However, if visitors want to have opportunities to cruise on the river and soak up the natural landscape, they will join tours on the Chay River. Cao Son market is the market of ethnic H’Mong, Phu La, Black Dao and Hoa living in 4 biggest villages of Muong Khuong. Market has only meeting on Wednesday.

In the fair, early in the morning, people from villages come to the market sequentially. They go into each group, in pairs and one by one. People use horses to pack the goods or use motorbike, bike… The girls of H’Mong and Dao wear pretty dress with delicate flowers, bright colors, which creates the charming picture.

Visitors will easily be overwhelmed by some cuisines such as flavors of buffalo meat, horse meat and beef of the H’Mong. Moreover, tourists will enjoy Coc Dam, Coc Ngu wine. In the bustling atmosphere, visitors will have to sit and enjoy the ethnic cuisine of them. Coming to Cao Son, you will have opportunities to enjoy the cultural interference of some ethnic groups living along the Chay River.

Tourists can visit Cao Son market without entrance fee. You can take photos if you want.

Cao Son market 

3. Can Cau Market

Can Cau market belonging to a commune, Lao Cai district. Visitors have not only the opportunities to be aware of fair but also a chance to learn more about the daily life of people. From Lao Cai province, along the national road 4D, visitors will come to Bao Thang district, Lao Cai province.

Through the town of Bac Ha, tourists will come to the Can Cau fair. From a distance, the fair of Can Cau is very beautiful and vivid. The fair has meeting along roadside 153-the only road connects the town with the town of Si Ma Cai. There have terraced fields around the market with the majestic mountains.

Can Cau market is the fair market of the H’Mong and the Giay, however, it is operated with the ways trade of the Dao. The market has meeting on Saturday every week and holidays, New Year. In the fair, the line of the H’Mong, Giay from the villages flocked to the market: pedestrians, people carrying products, agricultural products and livestock…

The market is divided into separate areas for all kinds of items. Those goods such as: vegetables, herbs, spices, utensils and other products, which shows the talent of women. However, the most striking is the area where sell livestock because the H’Mong and Giay love livestock and want to select the best cattle. The atmosphere in this area is very vibrant; buyers, sellers have the deal.

Thang Co - Specialty in Sapa

Besides, the area for the traditional food of people is quite exciting. Having a multitude of different sounds, visitors will have chance to sit down and enjoy the ethnic cuisine of them. Of all the dishes in Can Cau market, “thang co” will be the most favorite cuisine of ethnic. This dish is combined all kinds of organs of some animals such as: pigs, cows, buffalo…

Let's join Sapa trekking tours to have chance to explore these colorful markets.