Sapa Markets being one of the most attractive localities for tourists in the mountainous area, Sapa performs its special culture beauty through the diversification in the daily markets, namely, Can Cau, Bac Ha, Cao Son, Lung Khau Nhin, Muong Hum, Coc Ly, and Muong Khuong market.
Coc Ly Market
Coc Ly is the Tuesday weekly trading fair in Bac Ha district, about 90km to Sapa. Coc Ly is not only famous for its “barter” market, but also its attractive location right next to the suspension bridge over the Chay River. Also, the market is popular with its diversity in trade, some are unique cultural symbols of Sapa, including brocade, mountainous commodities, cattle selling, and special cuisines. Mainly Mong, Dao and Nung people go to the market for trade, even short sharing about their daily life, …
Cao Son Market
Cao Son Market
Cao Son market is the Wednesday weekly fair located in Cao Son commune, Muong Khuong district, it takes about 115 km to Sapa. This is the market of Mong, Phu La, Dao and Black Han living in the four largest villages of Muong Khuong. Like other markets, Cao Son market diversifies itself in different trade areas: selling fruits, vegetables, cattle and poultry, and especially the local special dishes such as: Thang Co, Coc Dam corn wine. At the fair, across the road, each group of people’ private activities build in a lively picture for the region in here.
Lung Khau Nhin Market
Lung Khau Nhin Market
Lung Khau Nhin Market, the Thursday weekly fair in Muong Khuong district, is one of the famous markets of Lao Cai and even large North West area, about 102km to Sapa. As the same as other fairs in Lao Cai, Lung Khau Nhin highlights with full of colorful dresses, blankets, green cabbage, yellow tangerine … Around the main road running through the market, people sell vegetables, tubers, pots, and personal items. From the main street turn to the market is the place to sell the stature, brocade, wool, blankets … Through all four seasons, almost ethnic groups like H’Mong, Nung, Man, Kinh … come to the market and enjoy such bustle atmosphere in here.
Muong Khuong Market
Muong Khuong Market
Beside Sa Pa love market, Bac Ha horse market, Can Cau buffalo market …, Lao Cai also has another special market: Bunting market or Muong Khuong market. Muong Khuong market is different for its original and noble beauty. The fair held every Sunday morning in a small street near the Muong Khuong district, does not have the shadow of local women, now only exchange an item, the Bunting. This is one of the attractions attracted many visitors, especially international visitors when visiting this mountainous area.
Can Cau Market
Can Cau Market
Can Cau market (Si Ma Cai district) is located right on the road 153, about 130km to Sapa, the only red road linking Bac Ha town with Si Ma Cai town. It is the marketplace of H’mong, Chinese and Giay people, held on Saturdays and public holidays, but they follow the trade of the Dao. At the market, from the morning, Mong Hoa and Giay from the villages drag in the market, to be mentioned, pedestrians, horsemen carrying textile products, agricultural products and cattle. Also, Can Cau market is considered as the largest buffalo market in the Northern mountainous provinces.
Bac Ha Market
Bac Ha Market
Bac Ha market is one of the most notably Sunday weekly fair in Lao Cai, being voted as top 10 unique markets in Southeast Asia. In the Sunday markets in Lao Cai, most notably the Bac Ha fair, it was voted one of the 10 most unique markets in Southeast Asia. It takes about 105 km on foot from Sapa to the market. Bac Ha market is a place to sell all products of the mountainous area, especially, the essential items for ethnic people: plows, hoes, shovels, knives of vegetables, fruits, honey. However, the most popular tourism destination is the area selling jewelry, skirts, dresses, brocade cloths. From there, tourists can freely choose brocade products, shining with colorful Mong, and Red Dao dresses. Foreign tourists often admire the hand-woven paintings with vivid motifs, harmonious and beautiful colors.
Muong Hum Market
Muong Hum Market
Like the other markets here, Muong Hum market is the Sunday weekly fair, the busiest fair of Bat Xat mountain. Muong Hum market is located in a small valley, adjacent to a clear stream of water, surrounded by high mountain clouds, about 75km from Sapa. It is a place to meet, exchange, buy and play with relatives of many ethics groups like Ha Nhi, H’Mong, Hoa, Giay, Dao Do, Dao Tuyen and Han. On weekdays, people come here to enjoy the scenery of Muong Hum, especially, the most eye-catching scene is the stream at the market. By the stream, the horses waiting for the owner of the market to gather in the spring with enough hair color, sometimes they echo more lively paintings, rarely seen in other places. Suspended bridges or stone bridges over the streams are always accompanied by horses.
The Sapa Markets has already built significant trademark of the mountainous area. Those fairs here are not only a place for buying and selling of goods but also expressing the most unique cultural features of the people, from the unique food products, dishes, costumes and customs. to cultural exchanges, dance, flute playing, batting …Especially, the original beauty of their nature and harmonizing indigenous people are easy to satisfy visitors in here. Let come and enjoy such those attractions of Sapa Markets
