Sapa markets – Sapa minority markets – Local markets in Sapa

If you’re travelling all the way to Northern Vietnam, you shouldn’t miss Sapa markets – one of the most scenic regions of Northern Vietnam. Except for trekking in Sapa, ethnic Markets is a special highlights. You can meet many ethnic minorities and enjoy an unique feature of life in remote far North. It is place to exchange of numerous kinds of commodity, local products. The opportunity for upland people to go to the fair. The youth to encounter, get dating and show their affection through love songs, sounds of the flute…

Many markets are held on week, but Saturday and Sunday have more colorful hill tribe people and of course more tourists.

Bac Ha Market

Bac Ha market opens at around 7.30 am and closes mid-afternoon. Previously, the market takes place on a gentle hill every Sunday. And then it was built on concrete floor with many divided areas which lost its primitive beauty. It is the biggest minority peoples market in Northwest Vietnam. You will meet Flower Hmong (Red Hmong), Black Dao, Tay, Nung, La Chi, Phu La and other minority groups. The market inspires from delicious and famous Vietnamese food, buffalo, cows, goats, fish and other livestock. Visitors enjoy from colorful household items to traditional intricately made clothing, from souvenirs to the essentials for everyday life.

The most attractive area at Bac Ha Market is jewelry, dresses and brocade cloths. Here, you dazzle with brilliant colorful dresses of H’Mong and Red Dzao girls. Foreign tourists often admire the hand-woven paintings with vivid motifs and harmonious colors.

Bac Ha market on Sunday

Bac Ha market is far away from 110km / 2.5 hours from Sapa, or 72 km / 1.5 hours from Lao Cai.

Can Cau market

Can Cau market is a small ultra-colorful market situated in a valley surrounded by mountains, just below the Chinese border. The market takes place every Saturday where you will encounter minority peoples. It includes the Flower Hmong (Red Hmong), Dzay, Nung, Phu La and even Chinese people from across the border. The distance from Lao Cai station to Can Cau market is not too far, but you might feel exhausted due to rough road. However, you will amaze the bustling and colorful scene of this market. Unlike some other markets with most of the Chinese products, the market still retains the inherent characteristics. They sell and buy all kinds of goods here, from fabrics to various types of livestock to the powerful local corn wine.

Can Cau market on Saturday

Can Cau market is far away from 125 km / 3 hours from Sapa, or 87 km / 2 hours from Lao Cai

Coc Ly market

Coc Ly market takes place every Tuesday weekly. Although it is not a big market, Coc Ly is very important to ethnic minorities in the west of Bac Ha district. The goods on offer range from local fruit and vegetables to livestock, handicrafts and clothes.

Located next to the Chay River, Coc Ly is the meeting place of Flower Hmong (Red Hmong), Black Dao, Nung, Giay and Tay peoples. People not only come to the market to trade, but also to meet friends. Coming to Coc Ly, you will see the costumes of ethnic groups and hear their voices. H’Mong girls stand on bridge to show their bright colorful dress and umbrella over the head and find their friends. It is also the difference of Coc Ly market compared to many other markets.

Coc Ly market looks like a watercolors painting. The river is flowing lightly. The mountain laces slowly swirling veils of white. The highlight of the beautiful natural landscape is ethic people with colorful costume  from all villages together on the market. It is really unforgettable experience.

Coc Ly market on Tuesday

Coc Ly market is far away from 95 km / 1h 45m from Sapa, or 60 km / 1 hour from Lao Cai

Lung Khau Nhin market

Lung Khau Nhin Market is one of the famous ancient Sapa markets very close to the border with China where the Black Dao, Giay, Tay, Flower Hmong (Red Hmong) minority peoples all attend. Like other fairs, Lung Khau Nhin has vibrant color of the dresses, blankets, green cabbage and yellow citrus. Coming to the market, you will see the lovely beauty of Red Dzao girls, innocent children riding on their back or the attention or some boys’ frisk.
Their life is simple, but a haven of peace, warmness and happiness which is the most attractive of Lung Khau Nhin market.

Lung Khau Nhin market on Thursday

Lung Khau Nhin market is far away from 110 km/1h 45m from Sapa, or 65 km / 1 hour from Lao Cai

Cao Son market

The market is one of the most original Sapa markets. It is an ideal place of Mong, Phu La, Dzao and Black Dao living in 4 biggest villages in Muong Khuong District. There are many routes to go to Cao Son Market, but taking a boat trip from Bao Nhai to Cao Son on Chay river is the best option. It brings you an opportunity to immerse in the natural and romantic scenery. With the blue sky, the flowing river and spectacular mountain scenery. In the multi-color scene, you will see many sections to sell farming tools, animals and local products. The highlight is brocade items with colorful and vivid motifs.

To compare with other Sapa markets, there are relatively few tourists who come to Cao Son market which still bring you an incredibly authentic experience.

Cao Son market on Wednesday

Cao Son market is far away from 120 km / 2h 45m from Sapa, or 85 km / 2 hour from Lao Cai

Muong Hum market

Muong Hum Market is known as one of the most bustling Sapa markets in the highland district of Bat Xat. It is ideal place if you want to explore the authenticity and simplicity.

The market is where Ha Nhi, H’Mong, Hoa, Giay, Dao Do, Dao Tuyen and Han ethnic groups. It lies in a small valley, next to a limpid stream, surrounded by terraced rice paddies and mountains.

Going to the market inside, you will be amazed by brilliant costumes. Young H’Mong girls in sexy skirts and dyed fake hair look like a blooming flower. They go to the market not only for shopping, but also for dating with the guys dressing in traditional clothes. Adorable children even on the back of their mother dress colorful hate and clothes, make them  to be more lovely and cute.

Although it is difficult for traveling, Muong Hum market still brings us to a place of colorful ethnic cultures which need to be maintained.

Muong Hum market on Sunday

Muong Hum market is far away from 80 km / 2 hour  from Sapa, or 45 km / 1.15 hour from Lao Cai

Please refer here for more detail about Sapa Tours from Hanoi:

• Sapa Trekking 2 days

• Sapa Trekking 3 days

Or you could refer to other article for Sapa and Vietnam Tours