Bac Ha Sunday Market
Chợ Bắc Hà
The largest and most colourful mountain ethnic market in northern Vietnam. Flower H'mong women come in festive dress to trade textiles, livestock, and corn wine.
The Bac Ha market opens on Sunday mornings. Flower H'mong, Dao, Tay, and Nung people from the surrounding hills come down to trade, and the bright clothing of the Flower H'mong women stands out most. The market is divided into a textile and embroidery area, a food area offering horse-meat soup and corn wine, and a lively livestock market for cattle, horses, and pigs. It breaks up around midday. Bac Ha lies about 100 km along mountain roads from Sa Pa, a journey of about 2.5–3 hours. Usually you hire a car or join a one-day tour leaving early on Sunday morning. The trip is often combined with Hoang A Tuong Palace and the Can Cau market. Please ask permission before photographing people.
Opening hours
Sundays, approx. 06:00–13:00
Nearby sights
- Hoang A Tuong Palace
- Can Cau Saturday Market
- Ban Ho Village
- Lao Chai – Ta Van Trek
- Muong Hoa Valley Rice Terraces
- Ta Phin Village
- Ham Rong Mountain
- Sa Pa Ancient Rock Field