Located only 80km from Sapa, Bac Ha Market is the ideal place to explore the unique culture of ethnic minority groups in the northwest region of VietnamThe market hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands and the Chinese border every Sunday.
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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. The market has been constructed on a concrete floor, not on a sloping hill as in the past but commercial activities here remain traditional.
Many different ethnic groups such as Flower H'mong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities gather to buy and sell local products that cannot be found elsewhere. The market was very crowded, local products for sale or barter are carried on horseback.
People usually sit in groups around a soup pan ("thang co") eating and chatting. Thang co has been known for years as a specialty of the Mong culture.
Bac Ha ethnic market makes an impressive highlight for adventure travelers who want to travel back in time. Many foreigner said that a Vietnam tour couldn’t be complete without a vist to Bac Ha.
Source: VietNamNet Bridge