Bac Ha Market

Recommended by Lonely Planet, Bac Ha Market (Sapa)is held every Sunday and is the biggest minority peoples market in Northwest Vietnam. Alive with the bright colours and extravagant costumes of the local people, here you will meet Flower Hmong (Red Hmong), Black Dao, Tay, Nung, La Chi, Phu La and other minority groups who come from far and wide to buy and sell a wide variety of goods and livestock, to exchange news and to renew friendships. In the past the market was a centre for trading horses but now that motorbikes have replaced them it is more common to see buffalo, cows, goats, fish and other livestock being traded.

The market opens at around 7.30am and closes mid-afternoon, so an early start is advisable. A typical Sapa private tour itinerary for a day at Bac Ha would include:

• Drive to Bac Ha (110km / 2.5 hours from Sapa, or 72km / 1.5 hours from Lao Cai).
• Take time to wander around the market, enjoy the atmosphere and have fun trying out your trading skills with the friendly local people.
• Have lunch in a local restaurant where a variety of foods are available for your delectation and delight. You can even try the traditional local lunch of Thang Co (horse stew) and strong corn wine!
• After lunch you will be driven to Ban Pho village where you can take a short walk around the village where Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung minorities live.
• Enjoy an hour long horse carting trip from Ban Pho village to Na Hoi village. 
• Drive back to Lao Cai or Sapa.

We also cater to guests who do not mind visiting the market with a large group tour. A tour guide will be provided for the whole group. You will visit the Bac Ha market as well as Ban Pho village.