Sapa beauty – Bac Ha market is opened every Sunday from early morning to 2 pm. The market is very ideal to discover the pristine beauty with rich ethnic cultures of Northern West.
Located on the highland and is about 76 km away from Lao Cai city, tourists have to travel on winding hill roads which are more steep to visit Bac Ha. Along the road, we can see some ethnic people such as, H’mong, Dzao wearing colorful dress with baskets on their backs.
Known as the biggest highland market in Lao Cai where is the place of ethnic minority sellers from remote areas coming to trade and exchange goods. However, the market is more famous because of its intactness and ethnicity. Bac Ha market was built on the concrete base; trading has still remained the traditional features, although the market no longer locates on a gentle slope hill. We can find anything necessary for normal life of ethnic minorities such as, mattocks, shovels, brocade made products, or even horses and buffalos…All things are divided into different areas.
In the market, most areas are used for brocade made products of highland women. From the outside entrance, there many shops selling colorful bags, pockets and scarves…Go deep inside market, we can see shops of dresses, hats with full of colors. Besides clothing, the locals also sell buffalos and buffalo trading area is always the busiest and noisiest in the market. Many people have to travel a long way here but have to back home with their buffalos as nobody wants to trade.
Lower area is place for selling puppies and dogs of ethnic minorities such as, H’mong, Dzao. There are many types of small and big knowing dogs with different colors such as, ruffled fur, long fur and short tails. Many people from the lowland visit the market to pick up the best dogs from Bac Ha that are famous for the loyalty.
A specialty which should not be missed is Thang Co (a mixture of pork, beef, buffalo and horse meat). Located in the cuisine area with over 20 stores, we can find Thang Co in almost every stores. The dish is attractive to not only ethnic minorities but also Kinh group. Thang Co is originated from Bac Ha and has remained over 200 years, we cannot find greater dish from other regions.
According to the tradition, Thang Co was made of horse meat, but now the dish is varied with beef and pork. Enjoying the dish with wine in the cold weather will make us feel cozy.
Sapa beauty - Pristine market days in the highland Bac Ha
