15 Best Ethnic Markets in North Vietnam

Culture comes from daily life, that's the reason why markets are listed in the program of so many tourist agencies. Especially when you go to villages in the mountainous North Vietnam where the majority of the population is the tribes such as in Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan. Markets are the indispensable places to approach the culture in a more fascinating way. In this article, we present the top 15 most beautiful tribal markets in North Vietnam.

Table of contents

1. General information

Markets are a cultural feature that has existed for a long time in all regions of Vietnam. From the moment people produced an excess quantity of the products, there was a need to change them for other things necessary for daily life. At first it was a small group of a few people, then up to dozens, hundreds and people would set an appointment to exchange, gradually forming a market.

In the northern mountains of Vietnam, the markets are the quintessential culture of ethnic minorities. They are very different from local markets in other regions in that they are organised only on certain days. Some markets are open on weekdays while others count days according to the lunar calendar: tiger days, monkey days, snake days, pig days, etc. As urbanisation with convenience stores and supermarkets everywhere is gradually replacing traditional markets, markets in the northern mountainous areas of Vietnam still remain crowded with vendors and buyers, which helps preserve unique cultural beauties of the indigenous people.

2. Characteristics of ethnic markets in Vietnam

Lots of local produces and daily items

Ethnic traders normally arrive at the market very early and bring some produce from the mountains and forests such as wild honey, chickens, traditional handicrafts such as towels, clothes, brocade fabrics, etc... In ethnic market, people sell everything from needles and threads to vegetables, potatoes, and even family essentials.

A meeting place

Markets are not only a place for selling and buying, but they are also a meeting place for ethnic people. They gather to talk, exchange work experiences, play games, and participate in cultural activities. People who come to the market are of all ages, from old to young. Women go to the market to shop while men come there to drink and eat together, then play the Khen - a kind of trumpet. Children follow their parents to the market to see more strange things they have never seen. The young boys and girls go to the market to get to know each other and to find a mate as their homes are scattered in the mountains. It all creates a colourful life.

Colourful ethnic costumes

In the markets you will be able to see the joy-filled faces of ethnic people, especially women in very beautiful traditional costumes. From a distance, the markets are like flowers in the middle of the mountain. You can see women adjusting clothes, some sewing bags while others are hand embroidering fabrics. Ethnic colours are everywhere! You also notice a special colour, not to mention the indigo dye imprinted in the women's hardworking hands.

Crowded food stall

The local food stalls are always crowded with the aroma of mountainous rustic dishes, which will be more fascinating in the winter under the cold weather. It is like a big food fair, which attracts not only locals but also tourists for its unparalleled original flavour.

3. Top 15 most interesting ethnic markets to discover

Ethnic markets in Lao Cai

Coc Ly Market

Location: Coc Ly commune, Bac Ha district, Lao Cai

Ethnic groups: Black Dzao, Hmong Hoa, Nung

Opening time: Every Tuesday

Cao Son Market

Location: Lo Suoi Tung, Cao Son commune, Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai

Ethnicities: Dao, Hmong, Phu La

Opening time: Every Wednesday

Sin Cheng Market

Location: Sin Cheng commune, Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai

Ethnic groups: Hmong, Nung, Tay

Opening time: Every Wednesday

Lung Khau Nhin Market

Location: Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai

Ethnic groups: Hmong, Nung, Kinh

Opening time: Every Thursday

Can Cau Market

Place: Can Cau commune, Si Ma Cai district

Ethnic groups: Hmong Hoa, Dzay

Opening time: Every Saturday

Bac Ha Market

Place: Bac Ha commune, Bac Ha district, Lao Cai

Ethnic groups: Dao, Hmong Hoa, Dzay

Opening Time: Every Sunday

Ethnic markets in Ha Giang

Vinh Quang market / Hoang Su Phi market

Place: Vinh Quang commune, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang

Ethnic groups: Tay, Nung, Red Dzao, Hmong, Dzao

Opening Time: Every Sunday

Quyet Tien Market

Location: Quyet Tien commune, Quan Ba district, Ha Giang

Ethnic groups: Hmong, Tay, Dzao, Nung.

Opening Time: Every Saturday

Khau Vai Market

Place: Khau Vai commune, Quan Ba district, Ha Giang

Ethnic groups: Hmong, Tay, Dzao, Nung.

Opening Time: Days of 2-7-12-17-22-27 in the lunar month.

The Khau Vai love market is held only on the 27th day of the third lunar month.

Meo Vac Market

Location: Meo Vac commune, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang

Ethnic groups: Hmong, Dzao, Lo lo

Opening Time: Every Sunday

Du Gia Market

Place: Du Gia commune, Yen Minh district, Ha Giang

Ethnic groups: Tay, Hmong, Dzao

Opening Time: Every Friday

Lung Phin Market

Place: Sung Mang commune, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang

Ethnic groups: 16 minor tribes

Opening Time: Every 6 days (if this week is held on Sunday, the next will be held on Saturday)

Dong Van Market

Location: Dong Van commune, Dong Van district, Ha Giang

Ethnic groups: Hmong, Dzao, Tay, Nung, Hoa

Opening Time: Every Sunday

Ethnic markets in Cao Bang

Bao Lac Market

Place: Bao Lac commune, Bao Lac district, Cao Bang

Ethnic groups: Hmong, Dzao, Tay, Lo lo

Opening Time: Day 5-10-15-20-25-30 of the lunar month

Ban Gioc Market

Location: Thong Hue commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang

Ethnic groups: Tay, Nung, Kinh

Opening Time: Day 2-7-12-17-22-27 of the lunar month

Besides all markets on the list, there are many other ethnic minority markets in North Vietnam. In this article, we present only the most beautiful and easy-to-reach markets to put on your adventure to North Vietnam.