Located about 76 km from the Lao Cai train station or add 34 km extra if you are coming from Sapa, Bac Ha is a remote district of Lao Cai province. It is well known for its weekly Market, which takes place every Sunday, is famous for the originality and authenticity that the merchants still maintain. One can reach the Bac Ha market by booking a van or tour from Sapa, which is about 3 hours away.
Early Morning Trip
I had to finish my breakfast early by 7:00 am and get ready for the Bac Ha trip. My tour guide pulled over with an SUV right in front of the hotel at 7:00 am. We were 6 in numbers mother and a son from Sweden, Kim from Korea, La our tour guide, the driver, and I.
Looking at my camera and gears, they let me sit in the front seat next to the driver, who was also so nice to me, did not hesitate to stop the car from time to time, and let me get out to make my shots.
On The Road
2.5 hours drive from Sapa through Lao Cai city toward Bac Ha market was scenic, the breathtaking early morning scene of rolling rice traces and the young sunshine was unforgettable. I doubt no camera can capture that moment but your eye only.
Arrival At Bac Ha Sunday Market
This Sunday market draws villagers from the neighboring hill tribes. It is amazing to see they take every effort even walk several hours for the weekly event to trade and exchange food, animals, clothes, household goods, all most anything.
Market Activities
We finally arrived at Bac Ha in the rugged mountains of northwestern Vietnam. This little town hosts this famous market every Sunday. Only a few minutes’ walk away from the market, our driver dropped us off. I split off from the group and started exploring; there were thousands of people and hundreds of stalls.
Colorful Dress All Over
The first thing stuck in my eyes is the colorful dresses of northern Vietnamese ethnic people. By 9:30 am the market activities already at its peak. The early morning weather was little misty at 800 meters above sea level. The minority women and girls look fantastic in their different colorful traditional clothing.
Clothing Market
Locals buy and sell the everyday essentials, produce, meat, fish, vegetables, agricultural appliances, live animals, homemade rice wine, almost everything they need for their day to day life.
Livestock Market
Besides the usual household items, the minority ethnic people also like to trade livestock like pigs, cows, buffaloes, chickens, ducks, dogs, etc.
Wet Market
Another section of the market is usually crowded with shoppers; mostly, the hill tribes are the meat and fish market. I saw all kinds of meat on display.
Tourist Market Instead!
In the beginning, it was wired to see giant lenses pointing right up into minority peoples incapable of feeling self-conscious or offended or that their personal space had been intruded upon. There is very little interaction between the photographers and their subjects; no attempt to make them feel comfortable or ask if they mind having their picture taken. After a while, I realized I was also doing the same thing that other tourists were doing. So I became one of the hundreds of camera lenses at that market.
Lunch in Bac Ha Market
One of the highlights of the Sunday market was the food court. For the locals, it’s a meeting place where they gossips and have their breakfast and lunch.
After a while, we got together and had our lunch at one of the traditional restaurants. And yes tried their homemade rice wine as well. At 2:00 pm we started heading back towards Sapa. I had a great experience and definitely recommend a visit to this Sunday market.
Visit Corn Wine Factory
Visit one of the famous places in Ban pho, Bac Ha, and see how H’mongs make their corn wine, which has gained an excellent reputation for their popular flavor. The wine looks as clear as water, but very strong can easily make you drunk and rich in flavor.
Visit Mau Temple
On our way back from Bac Ha, we made a quick stop at a temple located by the border between Vietnam and mainland China. Mau Temple of Lao Cai was built in the 18th century that attracts millions of visitors every year.
My Opinion and Tips
Have you been to Bac Ha, Vietnam? Any additional tips to share?
Please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you to improve my knowledge.
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