Top 6 famous markets in Ha Giang for a unique travel

Among the large and small markets that dot the rugged landscape of the extreme north, there are some in particular whose uniqueness demands a stop during your trek in the mountains. Note this for yourself if you have the idea or desire to explore some of the colourful markets in Ha Giang, the true places of tradition of seventeen ethnic groups.

Markets in Ha Giang, Vietnam, are so famous for the traditional dresses of ethnic people and local food. If you want an unforgettable Ha Giang tour, remember to visit one of these six markets.

Many travel to Ha Giang and wish for a unique itinerary. Ha Giang, Vietnam, has a lot of typical markets for travelers to come and discover. Besides watching amazing views and enjoying yummy food, you can fall in love with the highland needs. These six followings can make you feel amazing, and you can fulfill the tour with unforgettable moments.

Visit Dong Van Market when traveling to Ha Giang

• Open: Every Sunday Morning
• Address: Dong Van Ancient Town, Ha Giang Province

Dong Van Market with a lot of brocade clothes. Source by Người Lao Động.

If you can travel to Ha Giang, Vietnam, do not miss Dong Van fair market. This is one of the biggest markets for locals, which can make all travelers love it at first sight. The colorful costume, the delicious food, and the cozy atmosphere can make the market an unforgettable place for many visitors.

Every Sunday morning, many ethnic groups walk down from high mountains and gather in the town. They even get up early, at 2 am or 3 am, to get to the market. This is the ideal period for them to exchange, chat, and get new friends.

Wandering around the market, you can find many goods in the famous town and enjoy fantastic food. Dong Van fair market is ideal for Sour Pho, Au Tau porridge, Thang Co, five-colored sticky rice, etc.

Locals sell black pigs in the market. Source by Local Vietnam.

One more signature of the market is ethnic people in beautiful traditional costumes. Men in black clothes and women in gorgeous dresses. Sunday morning is a great time for taking pictures of locals, including the Hmong, Dzao, Tay, and Kinh people.

More than that, visitors can find shops with handicraft products, such as hair, dress, scarf, etc. They are colorful and very iconic for ethnic people. You can buy one as a souvenir because the price is reasonable.

There is also a massive space for people to trade animals. Many will bring their buffaloes and dogs to sell for money. Moreover, you can even see unique animals, such as black pigs and bamboo rats.

Highland Pho Cao market in Dong Van

• Open: every six days
• Address: 4C Highway, Pho Cao comune, Dong Van, Ha Giang.

Pho Cao market on a cold day. Source by Youtube.

Pho Cao is a highland commune in Dong Van, Ha Giang, Vietnam. It is very charming for the majestic views and ethnic people. The market in Pho Cao is held every six days, which leads to the new name back market. If you have a chance to visit the destination, it seems like you can get lost in a stream of flashy colors.

At Pho Cao market, people get up early. It is because they do not only buy things but entertain, and make friends with other people. They can exchange, chat and laugh with beautiful faces and warm hearts.

Pho Cao is not noisy like Dong Van or Meo Vac. The place is a hidden gem in the province with 17 ethnic minorities. The remarkable point of this highland market is that Pho Cao is covered with fog all year round. You can imagine cutting the fog into many pieces, like cutting a cake!

Meo Vac Sunday market – the biggest fair market in Ha Giang

• Open: On Sunday morning
• Address: Meo Vac Town Center, Ha Giang Province.

Ethnic women are choosing dossiers on a fair market. Source by Báo dân sinh.

If you have time to discover Ha Giang and don’t know what to do, we can give you the answer. Spending time visiting the Meo Vac Town market is fantastic. Like the Dong Van market, the Meo Vac fair market is held every Sunday morning. It is attractive to many people from different minorities.

Every Sunday in Meo Vac, hundreds of people gather in the town. They come to exchange, make new friends, and relax. There are games for people to join in, and they can spend all morning on these activities with other people.

The space for eating in Meo Vac Sunday market. Source by Local Vietnam.

For foreigners, taking part in the market is very unique. Girls in colorful dresses from Hmong, Thai, Nung, and Tay people are friendly with beautiful faces. You can ask to get a picture of them, very unique and unforgettable.

Like Dong Van, Meo Vac fair market also has different spaces for trading clothes, foods, animals, etc. You can try bargaining, and it can help save a lot of money for things you need.

Discover Khau Vai love market – a must-do thing in Ha Giang

• Open: 27th of the third month in lunar calendar
• Address: DT217 Road, Khau Vai Commune, Meo Vac, Ha Giang

Girls in a dance to find lovers in Khau Vai market. Source by Báo Dân tộc và Phát triển.

One of the most famous markets in Ha Giang, Vietnam is the Khau Vai love market. It is only held once a year, on the 27th of the third month (lunar calendar). It is an ideal time for men and women to make friends and find lovers. Many foreigners want to visit Ha Giang during this time to join the market.

There is a legend referring to the Khau Vai love market. People say that a long time ago, a couple was falling in love with each other. Sadly, they were from rival tribes and could not have a happy ending. They had to break up but promised to see each other once a year. That day was on the 27th of the third lunar month of the year.

Unlike other markets, the Khau Vai Love market is no place for trading. People come to relax, chat, and find lovers. Men and women wear new clothes and allow themself to be outgoing, joining activities such as singing, dancing, etc. Both Tay, Nung, Dao, Mong, and Thai people gather at Khau Vai, in colorful costumes, to enjoy the market.

Lung Phin Market in Meo Vac Town

• Open: Every 6 days
• Address: Lung Phin Commune, Meo Vac, Ha Giang

A part of the Lung Phin back market. Source by Glimpse of Vietnam.

Unlike other fair markets, the Lung Phin market only opens on Tiger and Monkey days. It means every six days, ethnic people can gather for the Lung Phin market. That is the reason why people also call this back market in Ha Giang.

16 ethnic groups are joining the market every week. This time, youngsters from different genders dress up and meet each other. Girls in floral pattern dresses, with colors and jewelry, can be attractive to all visitors.

In the Lung Phin market, people do not only buy clothes and enjoy food. Ethnic people also come to trade animals. Locals can take horses, dogs, black pigs, or buffaloes to the market. They sell them for money to earn a living.

Quan Ba market on Sunday

• Open: Sunday Morning
• Address: Quyet Tien commune, Quan Ba, Ha Giang

Ethnic people in Quan Ba are very friendly to travelers. Source by Báo dân tộc và Phát triển.

Quan Ba Sunday market in Ha Giang, Vietnam is a famous fair market. It is the place where ethnic people come to buy and sell things. Because they live on high mountains, the Sunday market is a good chance for all people to gather, exchange and relax. They often get up at 3 am to walk down from the mountains on this day.

Ethnic girls choose beautiful costumes and wear them when going to town. Some others bring their agricultural products such as a few bunches of bananas, or vegetables to sell. People love fried cakes and enjoy them while walking along the street. On hot days, they eat ice cream and sugarcane.

Women in costumes sell bamboo shoots in a Quan Ba fair market. Source by tintuxs.

Quan Ba market does not have much space for cattle trading. Ethnic people mostly exchange homemade vegetables including peas, radishes, or cabbage. Some of them buy fruits from China to sell, such as apples, pineapples, and pears. The locals also love wine and they drink a lot, as a way of expressing their friendliness and hospitality. 

Besides these six markets in Ha Giang, Vietnam, there are many more fair markets. If you have enough time, you can discover other markets in Quan Ba, Yen Minh, or the city center. We wish you a unique tour with happiness!

Articles and photos by Local-Insider.com

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