Not many people know that Bac Ha Market, located in Sapa, has existed for over 100 years. It flourished during the French colonial period in Vietnam but became less and less popular after Vietnam’s independence.
However, the market is still operating and its customers are mostly curious foreigners looking to learn a little more about H’Mong culture and, of course, locals looking for basic necessities.
Bac Ha market is one of the best local markets around Sapa
Where is Bac Ha Market and how to get there
65 km from Lao Cai city center, Bac Ha Market is located in Bac Ha town, Lao Cai province, in the east of the province. There are many transportation options between Bac Ha and Hanoi or Sapa.
From Hanoi to Bac Ha
By motorbike
It is not difficult to get to Bac Ha from Hanoi, even though it is a small town. It will take at least six hours on mountainous roads, totaling approximately 322 kilometers. If you are worried, don’t worry, the picturesque surroundings will make your trip enjoyable.
By sleeper bus
There are two sleeper buses from My Dinh Bus Station in Hanoi to Bac Ha every day. It will take six hours, the same time as by motorbike.
Hai Van
Departure time: 7:30 p.m.
Ticket price: 270,000 VND
Phone number: 0376 20 20 20
Sao Mai
Departure time: 8:30 a.m.
Ticket price: 320,000 VND
Phone number: 037 223 8074 – 0989 408 366
By Train
For those who like to travel by train, you can take a train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Once you arrive at Lao Cai Station, you will need to go to Lao Cai Bus Station, located 10 km away. Many buses depart from Bac Ha bus station early in the morning at 3 p.m. every day.
By car
Another way to get to Bac Ha Market is to rent a car in Hanoi. You can contact any car service using the northwest route in Hanoi. The price will be around 800,000 VND to 2,500,000 VND per day for a four-seater car and a 45-seater bus.
From Sapa to Bac Ha
The distance between Sapa and Bac Ha is 100 km, approximately four hours to complete the route. Many turns and steep inclines are scattered along the mountainous roads, but the dramatic mountain scenery makes this a dangerous route.
Motorcycle and bus are the transportation options on this route. For the bus, you first need to take a bus from Sapa to Lao Cai, then take another bus from Lao Cai town to Bac Ha. Each bus ticket costs around 50,000 VND.
When to Visit Bac Ha Market
Residents of the Bac Ha region and neighboring regions form this small market only once a week on Sundays early in the morning until noon from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Many old and young women and men from the H’Mong and Dao tribes get up as early as 4 a.m. on Sunday to gather their items and set up their stalls so they can display them attractively.
Bac Ha also has unique festivals celebrated on certain days of the year. It is best that you visit Bac Ha Market during one of these festivals. Spring is plum blossom season and also festival season. The Say San and Ruoc Dat Ruoc Nuoc festivals are held from January 2 to 6 and 15 successively.
During these two festivals, locals pray for a new year with favorable weather, bumper harvests and prosperous lives. At the beginning of June, when the plum ripens, the horse racing festival is celebrated. The last one is the Bac Ha temple festival on July 7 of the lunar calendar.
What to see at Bac Ha Market ?
You can find a lot of things here – from local handicrafts of different ethnic tribes, to colorful fruits and delicious dishes that are definitely worth a visit.
You’re here in the mountains of northern Vietnam, so forget about bacon and eggs, and try sticky rice or noodle soup instead.
Local dishes
Vegetables, herbs and fruits are what you will find in abundance here. Of course, you can find them anywhere, but the products sold in Bac Ha are locally sourced, meaning they are fresh and non-toxic.
You will find sweet potatoes, cassava, cowpeas, ginseng, etc., all displayed in contrasting colors on bamboo mats in a stunning setting. Stop at each rug and ask the seller if you can try something you’ve never seen before – they won’t say no.
Just like the costumes of the mountain peoples, Bac Ha cuisine also brings varied colors to Vietnamese recipes. You have probably already tried the pho in Hanoi but have you ever tried red pho? I’m sure you’ve tried sticky white rice, but have you tried blue? Or indigo? Or purple? These are colored by local herbs and very popular in the region and make for a colorful meal.
Another specialty of the region is buffalo and horse meat. (thang co ). You can find them in the market. Take it for lunch and follow the vendor selling hot sweet potato pie and you will be happy.
Traditional clothing and crafts
Keep an eye out for clothing and accessories sold in this market. Various items represent different cultures and you will be able to differentiate them by their contrasting colors and patterns.
If you are unsure which item belongs to which tribe, just ask and the seller will be more than happy to share their culture with you. Each item is handmade and intricately seeded – forget factory-made products. Here’s the real deal.
Run your hand over the embroidery and you will feel the love of the item’s creator for his work and culture. Bronze bracelets and earrings with sophisticated carvings also make wonderful gifts for loved ones at home.
Try not to haggle too much. The prices you are given may be inflated, but remember that one euro may seem like a lot when converted, since it is 26,000 VND. However, for us, 1 euro is nothing and for them, it could mean two meals a day.
Livestock and Poultry
There is an area located at the end of Bac Ha market, on a high hill separated from the main market. This is where ethnic groups sell many cattle and poultry such as chicken, bird, dog, pork, buffalo, cow and horse.
You will see a variety of species, colors and sizes. The different cattle and poultry are also sold separately. You will be surprised by the crowded sellers and buyers here. These people will bargain until they buy the best.
Unique local lifestyle
Bac Ha Market is truly a spectacle of smiles and vibrant colors. The exchange of goods may be the main focus, but what makes Bac Ha Market more special than other markets found in Vietnam is the amount of joy, smiles and laughter exchanged . At the Bac Ha fair, there is no distance between tribes, no language barriers or regional contrasts. Everyone comes together for one goal: to earn an honest living and bring joy to those around them.
People often say that living in the mountains and far from developed cities is a difficult life. But not to these people. All you have to do is come and talk to them. They have a lifestyle that may seem difficult to us, but they appreciate and love it. This is life as they know it and they are happy. We can always strive for more, but with the simple life they lead, some say they already have everything they need. This is something we must learn.
Recommended tours
If you don’t have much time to explore Bac Ha Market on your own, joining a tour is worth a try. Many tour operators offer Bac Ha market tours from Hanoi or Sapa.
These usually last one day from Sapa, but you can expect the ones from Hanoi to last several days. These not only visit Bac Ha market, but also other towns like Sapa and Ha Giang, and offer activities like hiking and cycling. Some travel companies even make private itineraries for you if you have a specific list of things you’d like to do.
Check out these operators for market and area tours:
Sapa O Chau
Address: 18 Hang Muoi Street, Hanoi
Email: info@sapaochau.org
Telephone number: +84 2143 771 166
Website: sapaochau.org
Ethos – Spirit of community
Address: 79 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Sapa Town, Lao Cai Province
Email: EthosAdventuresSapa@gmail.com
Telephone number: +84 166 689 2536
Website: www.ethosspirit.com
Buffalo Tours
Address: 70-72 Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi
Email: caj.sales@buffalotours.com
Telephone number: +84-24-3828-0702
Website: www.buffalotours.com
