Nestled amidst the majestic mountains of Northwest Vietnam, Bac Ha Market shines like a sparkling emerald, attracting visitors with its unique cultural beauty and rare vibrant atmosphere. This place is not only a center for exchanging goods but also a vivid picture reflecting the authentic life and community spirit of ethnic minorities. Join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel the World) to discover the interesting things and unforgettable experiences at this top highland market.
1. Bac Ha Market – A Hub of Highland Culture
Bac Ha Market is renowned as one of the largest and busiest markets in Lao Cai, and a convergence point for the cultural essence of various ethnic groups such as Phu La, Hmong, Nung, Tay, and Dao. The market is located right in the center of Bac Ha town, about 70km from Lao Cai city. More than just an important trading location, Bac Ha Market is also a place for meeting, cultural exchange, and sharing the traditional beauty of the highlands.
From the first step into Bac Ha Market, visitors will be surprised by the bustling and lively atmosphere. Laughter and voices of buying and selling blend with the sounds of the mountains and forests, creating a unique symphony. Here, trading is not just an economic transaction but also an opportunity for people to meet, connect, and express friendliness and hospitality.
Panoramic view of Bac Ha Market in vibrant colors from above
Local people eagerly trading from early morning until noon at Bac Ha Market (Image source: Internet)
Seen from above, Bac Ha Market appears like a colorful flower carpet, woven from the magnificent traditional costumes of ethnic women. Inside the market, stalls are filled with a variety of goods, from daily necessities to exquisite handicrafts. What makes Bac Ha Market famous and attractive is the spirit of open exchange, and the friendliness and hospitality of both buyers and sellers.
Cultural exchange between locals and tourists at Bac Ha Market
Foreign tourists are excited to learn about and experience the unique local culture at Bac Ha Market (Image source: Internet)
Bac Ha Market is not only a shopping destination but also an ideal place for visitors to learn more about the unique culture of the highland people. Here, you can easily enjoy famous specialties such as “thang co” (horse meat stew), Bac Ha sour pho, corn cake, “banh day” (round sticky rice cake), black Chung cake, and many other attractive dishes. Bac Ha Market will surely be an unforgettable highlight in your journey to explore the Northwest.
2. History and Culture of Bac Ha Market
Bac Ha Market is not just a regular trading place but also carries profound historical and cultural values. The market was formed during the French colonial period, initially only a small trading place for ethnic minorities in the area. Over time, Bac Ha Market has grown, becoming an important economic and cultural center of Bac Ha district and the surrounding area.
Bac Ha Market is not only a place to buy and sell goods but also a unique cultural space, clearly reflecting the spiritual life of the ethnic minority community. The market is a place to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, from costumes, language, customs, and habits to cuisine and folk cultural activities. Coming to Bac Ha Market, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a colorful cultural space, experience unique features, and feel the sincerity and hospitality of the highland people.
3. Discovering the Unique Market Sections at Bac Ha Fair
Bac Ha Market is divided into many different sections, each market area has its own unique characteristics, creating diversity and richness for this highland market.
3.1. Agricultural Product Market
The agricultural product market at Bac Ha Market is always bustling with buyers and sellers, especially in the early morning. This place sells countless fresh agricultural products, imbued with the flavor of the Northwest mountains and forests. Visitors will easily find typical vegetables such as mustard greens, broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, squash, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, etc. All are natural products, grown and harvested by local people on hillsides and terraced fields.
Coming to the agricultural product market, visitors cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy and buy as gifts specialty fruits of the highlands such as “tao meo” (docynia indica), Tam Hoa plums, Tai Nung pears, French peaches, etc. These fruits have a special delicious flavor, harmonious sweet and sour taste, crispiness, and are very good for health.
Diverse and fresh agricultural product market at Bac Ha Market
The agricultural product market area is always crowded and bustling with buyers and sellers at Bac Ha Market (Image source: Blog Rebecca Jarrett)
In addition, the agricultural product market also sells many kinds of spices and precious herbs of the mountains and forests such as “hat doi” (Zanthoxylum nitidum), “mac khen” (Zanthoxylum rhetsa), cardamom, cinnamon, anise, angelica, and “sam cau” (Curculigo orchioides)… Visitors can buy them for use or as gifts for relatives and friends.
3.2. Brocade Market
The brocade market is one of the most unique highlights of Bac Ha Market, attracting many tourists with the brilliant and sophisticated beauty of traditional handicrafts. This place sells countless brocade items diverse in designs, styles, and colors, from clothes, dresses, tablecloths, bags, wallets, hats to decorative items and souvenirs. All are handmade by the skillful hands of ethnic women, imbued with unique cultural identities.
Each brocade product at Bac Ha Market is not just an object but also a work of art, containing the enthusiasm, meticulousness, and creativity of the artisans. Visitors can learn about the traditional weaving, embroidery, and dyeing processes, and listen to cultural stories conveyed in each stitch.
Colorful brocade products at Bac Ha Market
The brilliant colors of traditional brocade products attract tourists at Bac Ha Market (Image source: Internet)
3.3. Bac Ha Market Food Court
The food court at Bac Ha Market is a paradise for food lovers, where visitors can discover and enjoy countless attractive specialties of the highlands. The food space at the market is always bustling and lively with stalls selling a variety of hot and delicious dishes.
“Thang co” is a must-try dish when coming to Bac Ha Market. This traditional dish is made from horse, buffalo, or beef meat and offal, stewed with special spices, creating a rich, fragrant, and irresistible flavor. Besides “thang co”, visitors can also enjoy Bac Ha sour pho, “men men” (steamed corn flour), corn cake, five-color sticky rice, black Chung cake, sausage, smoked meat, corn wine, and many other attractive dishes.
Attractive food court with specialty dishes at Bac Ha Market
The food court at Bac Ha Market always attracts visitors with hot and flavorful dishes (Image source: Internet)
In particular, visitors should not forget to taste Bac Ha corn wine, a famous specialty of this land. Corn wine is made from corn kernels, forest leaf yeast, and pure spring water, with a fragrant, smooth, and distinctive flavor.
3.4. Livestock Market and Dog & Bird Market
The livestock market at Bac Ha Market is one of the most unique and interesting market sections, attracting the attention of many visitors, especially those who love to explore local culture. This place hosts the buying and selling of buffaloes, cows, horses, pigs, chickens, dogs, etc., with a bustling and lively atmosphere.
The buffalo market is the largest and busiest market, where people from all distant villages bring buffaloes to buy, sell, and exchange. Visitors will witness the scene of buyers and sellers examining buffaloes and bargaining prices, creating a vivid and unique scene.
Bustling livestock market with buffalo and horse trading at Bac Ha Market
Images of healthy and strong buffaloes being traded at the livestock market of Bac Ha Market (Image source: Internet)
Bac Ha dog market is also an interesting destination, especially for animal lovers. This place sells many rare native dog breeds, the most famous of which is the Bac Ha dog with its shaggy, adorable appearance and intelligence and loyalty.
Unique Bac Ha dog market with local dog breeds
Cute and playful Bac Ha puppies being sold at the market (Image source: VnExpress)
In addition, Bac Ha Market also has a bird market area, where many different kinds of ornamental birds gather such as thrushes, mynas, laughingthrushes, and red-whiskered bulbuls. Visitors can come here to admire the beautiful birds, listen to their melodious songs, and buy them as a refined hobby.
4. Tips for Visiting Bac Ha Market
To have a complete and meaningful trip to Bac Ha Market, visitors should note some of the following tips:
4.1. Market Opening Hours
Bac Ha Market only opens on Sunday every week, from early morning to about 2-3 pm. The busiest time of the market is in the morning, from about 7 to 11 am. Visitors should come to the market at this time to fully feel the lively atmosphere and explore all the market sections.
4.2. How to Get to Bac Ha Market
To get to Bac Ha Market, visitors can travel from Lao Cai city or Sapa town.
- From Lao Cai city: Visitors can take a bus or rent a motorbike or car to drive along National Highway 70, which takes about 2-3 hours.
- From Sapa town: Visitors can take a bus or rent a car or taxi, which takes about 3-4 hours. The road from Sapa to Bac Ha is quite winding and has many passes, so if traveling by motorbike, visitors need to be careful and have experience driving on mountain roads.
For convenience and safety, visitors can use the VNPAY Taxi service on the VNPAY e-wallet application or banking application to easily and quickly book a taxi to Bac Ha Market.
Bac Ha Market – Highland Colors Unfold Right Before Your Eyes When Calling a Taxi on VNPAY Wallet and Banking App
With VNPAY Taxi, the journey to explore Bac Ha Market becomes easier and more convenient than ever. Whether you depart from Lao Cai or Sapa, with just a few simple steps on the VNPAY e-wallet application or banking application, you can immediately book a taxi to get to Bac Ha Market.
VNPAY Taxi brings peace of mind about prices, transparent journeys, and a team of friendly and locally knowledgeable drivers. You can comfortably enjoy the trip, admire the majestic Northwest mountains and forests, and prepare yourself to immerse in the vibrant atmosphere of the highland market.
Instructions on how to book a Taxi via VNPAY wallet and banking application:
- Step 1: Log in to your banking application or VNPAY wallet, select the “VNPAY Taxi” feature.
- Step 2: Enter your pick-up point, destination (Bac Ha Market), choose a car company, and enter a discount code (if any).
- Step 3: Confirm your booking and receive driver information.
- Step 4: Pay the fare after completing the journey.
Smart VNPAY Taxi feature on banking and VNPAY wallet applications
VNPAY Taxi – A convenient and fast transportation solution to Bac Ha Market
Bac Ha Market is a must-visit destination when traveling to the Northwest. This place is not just a market but also a living museum of highland culture, history, and people. Come and experience this unique market to fully feel the beauty and richness of Vietnamese culture.