If you are planning to travel to the mountainous district of Sa Pa, it might be wise to do it on a Sunday to get a chance to drive to Bac Ha and get to see and experience the Bac Ha Sunday Market. Bac Ha is a remote district of Lao Cai province.

The market, which happens only once in a week, is in fact the main reason why tourists travel all the way to this rural district. Here, one will get to see people coming from different tribes travel from miles around to purchase, sell or barter every imaginable commodity. From clothing, ethnic costumes, handicraft, kitchenware, dried natural medicines hardware, plastic goods, fresh produce, puppies, chop chop tobacco, cut meats, to different livestock, you name it and they have it. With the many things going on, including selling, buying, socializing, tourists taking photos and trying out interesting food treats the entire market is very colorful.

From early hours on each of these Sundays, all paths and mountain roads leading to Bac Ha are full of people and horses pouring to the market. These people are coming from different ethnic groups as Flower H'mong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities. Their intricately woven daily costume is one of the main drawing points in itself. You would find them sitting in groups around a soup pan ("thang co") eating, chatting, entertaining buyers, and simply having a good time. Perhaps used to the presence of tourists, the locals do not really mind being taken photographs here and there, they simply trade and interact while tourists can feast on the wonderful spectacle of this richly layered tribal society unfolding and happening all around them. Though trading is the major thing happening on the market, the cultural and social exchange plays an undeniably vital role in completing the vibrant atmosphere.

From Sa Pa, one can hire a driver and take a land trip approximately 70 km to the south east early Sunday morning to arrive to the market just as it is about to start. This trip can take around 3 hours. Reaching Bac Ha market can also be done by booking a van from Sapa through the numerous tour companies available there. Some tourists can choose to travel here on Saturday afternoon and opt for homestay accommodations in any of the locals offering such service. There are also some good accommodation options around.

The road leading to Bac Ha is curvy and challenging, even after significant improvements, but experiencing the fascinating and almost unspoiled atmosphere embodied by the market is truly a valued experience. This is an incredibly beautiful part of Vietnam.