Nestled in the northern hills of Vietnam exists one of the best ethnic markets in Northwest Vietnam, and probably of the entire Southeast Asia – the Bac Ha Market.

 

Located about 76 km from the train station, Bac Ha is a remote district of Lao Cai province. Still on its infant stage of tourism, its town and trading activities are often deserted during weekdays. Thus on weekdays, the ethnic minorities from surrounding villages come by foot, by motorbike, by horse or by water buffalo to get a chance to trade, barter, socialize, eat, drink, smoke, get a haircut, and stock up on supplies to bring home to their villages.

 

Held every Sunday, the Bac Ha Market is where you will find people from various hilltribes converge to join the trade and socialization. Together, the Flower H'mong (Red H'mong), Black Dao, Tay, Nung, La Chi, Phu La and smaller ethnic groups, all wearing their traditional costumes, create a colorful blur of plaids and stripes. The market can normally get very crowded with tourists and locals, sellers and buyers all creating a chaotic noise, jokingly called by many as the “Voice of Vietnam.” But unlike other trading spots, Bac Ha market is not a market for tourists. Here, they hardly notice tourists and everyone just goes ahead with business.

 

Besides the regular items like pigs, cows, and poultry, there are many other items sold in the market, from specialized crafts, produce, and even odd products. From streetfood, hand-embroidered skirts, colorful dresses, household goods, dogs to any 4-legged animal you can name, you would definitely find it here. One of Bac Ha’s main industries is the manufacture of alcoholic home brews like homemade rice whiskey, cassava wine and corn liquor. There is an entire area in the market devoted only to these brews. The ruou corn hooch produced by the Flower H’mong is a popular pick.   To reach Bac Ha market, one can book a van or tour from Sapa, which is about 3 hours away.