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In Vietnam, Chợ Phiên is the term to call the ethnic market which only is held once a week. During these periods, ethnic minorities with colourful traditional clothes go to the market, not only to buy and sell, but also to find a lover. Among many provinces in North Vietnam, you will find Lao Cai is one of the provinces that boast the most unique ethnic markets. The special attractive feature of Lao Cai compared to other northwest provinces is that its markets only happen once a week but on different days. Therefore, it is convenient to drop a visit to one of these markets on your trip to Sapa, Lao Cai. Let's explore when and where the most attractive ethnic markets in Lao Cai are in this article.
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Ethnic Markets in Lao Cai to Visit in One Week
Monday - Ban Phiet Market
Ban Phiet Market is located in Ban Phiet commune, Bao Thang district and is held every Monday. Compared to other markets in Lao Cai, this one is rather small and not too crowded, but it is a place for trade and exchange of the ethnic minorities in the region. Most of the participants are white H'mong. The market is simple with a few covered stalls, the rest are spread out on the ground with some plastic sheets to display their goods for sale. Though not large, the market is impressive with many colours because the main products sold here are clothes, scarves, hats, and belts for women.
The market starts early when it is still dark and misty. Ethnic people always choose the most beautiful and colourful clothes to wear. This is the tradition on periodic markets and holidays.
Tuesday - Coc Ly Market
Situated among the hills and the dreamy floating clouds is a bustling scene of Coc Ly Market which is held every Tuesday. Located about 35 km from Bac Ha town, Coc Ly market is a place for friends to meet, exchange goods of the Flower H’mong, Black Dao and Nung people. The market is divided into separate areas. Mountainous products such as organic vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, wood ear, honey, corn wine, mountain rice, household items, jewellery and brightly patterned brocade products are concentrated in one area, displayed on plastic sheets on the ground. However, the most important area is still selling livestock and poultry such as: buffalo, cow, pig, chicken, dog, horse, and cat... The atmosphere in this area is as vibrant as possible. Buyers, sellers, standing, sitting scattered haggling, buying, selling together.
In the local language, Coc Ly means plum root. Like other ethnic markets, the beauty of this market is the chance for people to have fun, meet and sing love songs together.
Wednesday - Cao Son Market & Sin Cheng Market
Cao Son Market is mainly joined by the H’mong, Phu La, Dao and Black Han ethnic groups in Muong Khuong district. They meet only once a week on Wednesday. From early morning, in each narrow street, local people come to the market one after another, in big groups, small groups, couples and sometimes one alone, with different means of transportation. Some people carry goods on foot, some load goods on horseback, some go to the market on motorcycles, and some ride bicycles.
It seems that Cao Son market is more beautiful because of the people, the goods and the natural scenery. In the vast space of mountains and forests, people buy, sell and exchange goods comfortably with each other. There are those who buy rice, those who buy brocade, those who buy vegetables, tubers, fruits or taste some food specialties of the mountainous area. It all creates a very lively scenario.
On Wednesday, in Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai, there is also the Sin Cheng market. It is a meeting point of the H’mong, Tay, Nung, Thu Lao ethnic groups.
Thursday - Lung Khau Nhin Market
Lung Khau Nhin Market in Muong Khuong District, held every Thursday morning, is one of the famous markets in the vast northwest region. The buyers and sellers here are mostly the H’mong, Nung, Kinh. The main commodities are agricultural products such as corn, rice, soybeans, peanuts, vegetables, fruits and brocade.
Visiting the market, you will also see many popular and necessary items in each household for sale such as: hoe, bamboo basket, broom, bowl, plate, kettle, cups, etc… The animated scenes of trading makes Lung Khau Nhin market more attractive than any others.
Friday - Chau Market
Since the 19th century, there have been Chợ Phiên in Muong Khuong for exchange and shopping. In addition to the markets in Muong Khuong, Cao Son, Pha Long, Ban Lau, Chau Market in Lung Vai commune has long become a famous trading centre of the area. This is not only a place to buy and sell but also a place for young people in the villages to meet and express loving feelings to their soul mates. Visitors can also explore the majestic Muong Khuong with many cultural traditions and rich identities that are passed down till this day.
Saturday - Can Cau Market & Pha Long Market
Can Cau market is a typical ethnic minority market which is mainly participated by Giay, H’mong and Hoa. Located along Road 153, the single dirt road connecting Bac Ha town and the border town of Si Ma Cai, in the territory of Can Cau commune, Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province. The market is usually held every Saturday. On holidays and New Year's Day, it happens from early morning to afternoon. This is also the largest buffalo market in northwest Vietnam with hundreds of buffalo traded.
Pha Long market (in Muong Khuong district) is the commercial centre of people in Pha Long, Din Chin, Ta Ngai Cho and Ta Gia Khau communes. In this Chợ Phiên, Mong, Lo Lo, Tay, Nung, and Giay ethnic groups gather, making the market scene lively and crowded. In particular, the most bustling, noisy and eye-catching area is where brocades are sold. Pha Long market is also renowned for the Gau Tao festival in spring.
Sunday - Bac Ha Market & Sapa Market
Among the Sunday markets in Lao Cai, the most prominent is Bac Ha Market, which is voted as one of the 10 most unique markets in Southeast Asia. It is also the only market in the country with a dedicated horse trading area of which there are hundreds: black, white, striped,... are traded on the day.
Bac Ha market, one of the most beautiful ethnic markets in Southeast Asia
Bac Ha also attracts tourists for its specialties: the world-famous Ban Pho corn wine that is made from stream water at more than 1,200 metres height above sea level and distilled from yeast produced from forest leaves. Visiting it, visitors can also taste a Lao Cai specialty - Thang Co of the Hmong, the dish is cooked from the entrails and meat of the horse, along with herbs to create a very unique flavour. Tasting it once will make you remember it forever.
Sapa Market is located right in the centre of Sapa town. You can buy medicinal products, rare and valuable forest products, traditional ethnic products such as handmade brocades and ethnic dishes here. It is also an opportunity for boys and girls from different ethnic groups to meet, sing love songs to seek life partners through love songs, flute sounds, lute sounds.
In addition, you can also visit Lung Phinh market in Bac Ha, Muong Hum market in Bat Xat on Sunday.
Take the advantages during your stay here to discover one of the most distinctive Chợ Phiên or ethnic markets in Lao Cai.
To see more beautidul places in Sapa and Lao Cai:
>> 4 Sapa Ethnic Groups and Their Unique Cultural Beauty
>> Fansipan Mountain Vietnam - the Roof of Indochina
To check the real time price:
>> Best Sapa Tour from Hanoi | Adventure by Private Car - 03 Days
