Northwest Vietnam is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, lush rice terraces, diverse culture of different minority groups, especially its unique bustling local markets.
For those who love to explore ethnic culture, learn about local daily life and enjoy the beauty of nature, visiting the 8 best local markets around Sapa listed below is an ideal way to do so.
1. Sapa Market
Sapa Market is located in Sapa Town, about 1.5 km from stone church. Open daily for people to buy and sell products, it is the most popular and touristy market.
The most impressive feature of the Sapa market is its unique brocade products with bright colors and subtle patterns of the H’Mong, Dao Do and Giay. On the other hand, products such as fruits, vegetables and spices are also the favorite products of tourists.
Every Saturday evening, the Sapa Love Market was operated, a place where young men and women from other villages came to find partners. They demonstrate feelings and gestures of love by playing leaf horns, traditional games, songs and dances based on special melodies, and if by chance, they might become husband and wife. However, due to the influence of the tourism industry, it is no longer a place to find true love; However, you can find something special here.
Schedule: Every morning (*Sapa Love market opens Saturday evening only)
2. Coc Ly Market
Coc Ly is a colorful market in a mountainous region where the Nung, Tay, Black Zao and H’mong ethnic minorities frequently gather every Tuesday. Here you will find a variety of products ranging from local fruits, vegetables, honey and corn wine to colorful fabrics, clothing and embroidered items, horses, cows and buffaloes.
For ethnic locals, going to the market is an interesting activity which is an important opportunity for them to sell and buy products, meet friends and exchange information, meet and find partners.
Schedule: Every Tuesday morning | Distance from Sapa: 80 km
3. Sin Cheng Market
Every Wednesday, the Sin Cheng market (100 km from Lao Cai railway station, or nearly 40 km from the town of Bac Ha) offers the opportunity to discover a colorful gathering point of many local minorities such as as the Flower H’mong, Tay, Nung and Thu. Lao.
This market is not only a place to exchange local products such as buffaloes, horses, vegetables, herbs, clothes…. but it is also a socialized place where young people meet and find partners, where old people escape from the difficulties of life and where men enjoy traditional corn whiskey with their old friends.
Time: Wednesday morning | Distance from Sapa: 130 km
4. Cao Son Market
Cao Son is a small market of 4 ethnic minorities of H’Mong, Phu La, Dao and Black Han living in Muong Khuong district. Open every Wednesday, this colorful market is set amidst majestic rolling mountains, rice terraces and the mighty Chay River.
Coming here, you will have the opportunity to interact with locals, see how they trade local products and learn about their cultures. Like other local markets, the main products of Cao Son are vegetables, herbs, honey, corn wine, household items, jewelry, brocade fabric, etc.
Time: Wednesday morning | Distance from Sapa: 90 km
5. Lung Khau Nhin Market
Located near the border with China, about 80 km from Sapa, Lung Khau Nhin Market is open every Thursday, starting around 7:30 a.m. and closing in the early afternoon.
Compared to other local markets, Lung Khau Nhin is smaller but older. This market is a place where the Black Dao, Giay, Tay and Flower H’Mong groups exchange agricultural products such as corn, rice, soybeans, peanuts, vegetables, handicrafts and livestock.
Time: Thursday morning | Distance from Sapa: 80 km
6. Can Cau Market
Can Cau Market is one of the most attractive open-air markets in Sapa, specializing in livestock trading, or known as the largest buffalo market in the Northwest.
This market is only 7 km from the Chinese border, so don’t be surprised to see a large number of Chinese traders here. Organized every Saturday, Can Cau attracts many people from several surrounding ethnic groups such as Flower H’mong, Black Dao, Red Dao, Tay… come to this market to sell and buy their products based on vegetables, honey, rice, herbs , brocade fabrics to several livestock like pigs, dogs, chickens, horses, etc.
Time: Saturday morning | Distance from Sapa: 120 km
7. Bac Ha Market
The Bac Ha market is generally considered the largest and most famous market in the Northwest region. The market takes place every Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., but the best time to visit the market is early in the morning. It is populated by several ethnic groups such as Flower Hmong, Black Dao, Nung, Tay, Phu La, Xa Fang…
They come from the surrounding hills and valleys and have to walk a few hours to participate in the market. Here you can see local women in their beautiful traditional handmade clothes and colorful scarves focusing on selling and buying their local products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, brocade, homemade wine , etc.
8. Muong Hum Market
Muong Hum Market is located in a small valley in Bat Xat district, next to a pretty stream and surrounded by majestic mountains. Taking place every Sunday morning, it is a place where the Hmong, Dao, Ha Nhi and Giay ethnic groups gather, meet, communicate with each other and interact with local communities in a very traditional and intimate village setting.
Muong Hum is not as famous and touristy as Bac Ha Sunday Market, so it offers you authenticity and brings you the real experience of hill tribe cultures.
Time: Sunday morning Distance from Sapa: 45 km.
