Bac Ha Sunday market recommended by Tripadvisor. It's one thing of a disgrace that few tourists enterprise beyond Sapa. Located to the east of Lao Cai city lies the other half of the province.

How Bac Ha Sunday Market is unique?

Bac Ha Market located at 700m above the sea level. It's far from Sapa round 95 km and 55 km from Lao Cai city. It's called a "little Sapa" while it’s a lot much less developed for tourism. Bac Ha market is the perfect destination for whom like off-the-beaten-track treks to go to vibrant weekly markets. The Bac Ha market in particular function local scenes which were occurring each week for generations. It's the place cattle, horses, goats and canines are purchased and offered, in addition to many traditional items like saddles plus elaborate textiles, handbags and different trinkets made by the local tribespeople, the Flower Hmong. Their intricately woven day by day costume is one of the major drawing factors in itself. That is an extremely stunning part of Vietnam.

It's a really convenient place to discover the surrounds, and basing your self right here rather than Sapa will knock off about three hours of journey time each way on a day trip to most of the local weekly markets. And, at lower than half the altitude of Sapa, the climate right here is more likely to be more clement in winter months, with a mean year-round temperature of 19 levels Celsius (four levels, on average, warmer).

However, don't count on any pizzas or breathtaking mountain views. Bac Ha remains to be, at first, an area market city, and the tourist trade is just being added on, wherever it matches in. That is, in fact, a part of the attraction - though count on to still is bothered by H'Mong hawkers.

The city will get a weekly assault of tourists at mid-morning on Sunday as day-trippers arrive from Hanoi to visit Bac Ha market. These with time arrive on Saturday, both from Can Cau market or Lao Cai, and keep over to go to the market early the subsequent morning: it’s at its finest earlier than 09:00 though do keep on till lunchtime.

There are some good accommodation options and it's attainable to keep away from the tourist-oriented eating places and discover local food places. There are additionally some less-traveled trekking and homestay tours available in the area. It will be a very good chance for visitor visits to many ethnic villages. Especially the Flower H’Mong. About half the tribes within the space are H’Mong, with the remainder being Tay, Dzao, Tu Zi, Nung, Phula, La Chi and Lo Lo, amongst others.

There’s little or no to do in Bac Ha itself should you’re settling in for the evening. Market days are occasion days for the H'Mong males, so that you may be capable of discovering a cluster of totally pickled blokes to affix in with, and allow them to rail on at you in an incomprehensible patois of Vietnamese, Chinese language and Flower H’Mong.

How to get to Bac Ha Market?

From Hanoi:

Take night train on Saturday night - arrive Lao Cai station then take the bus to Bac Ha (Lao Cai - Bac Ha ~ 60 km)

Take the night bus from Hanoi - Lao Cai (then transfer other buses to Bac Ha)

From Sapa:

You can book a private car or shuttle bus always available (Distance ~ 90 km more than 2 hours drive)

Quick tips

– Should arrive early - that you will see full colorful of Bac Ha Market

– Do not give money or candy for children

– Do not put a camera close to their face to take the photo