TOP 10 Best Markets of Ethnic Minorities in Northern Vietnam

TOP 10 markets you should explore if you’re interested in exploring the unique cultures of ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam. Visiting Northern Vietnam in your Vietnam discovery tour, tourists can enjoy the most unique and interesting atmosphere of Ethnic Minorities Market.

These markets are highly attracting tourists thanks to fresh locally-produced products and lively environment,  people usually sell typical products such as vegetables, ginger, sticky rice, poultry, stream fish, forest vegetables, bamboo sprouts and cakes.

You can choose any ethnic minorities markets in Northern Vietnam that you want to visit, Vietnam Paradise Travel would like to suggest you the list of 10 Ethnic Minorities Markets as here below:

1. Phong Hai Market

Phong Hai Market is open every Sunday. Here you can interact with Black Dao, Flower Hmong, Kinh people. The trading in the market usually involves vegetables, livestock, handicrafts, and clothes.

• Timing: The market opens at 6:30 am and closes at 11 am.
• Location: located close to Sapa and Lao Chai.

2. Coc Ly Market

Coc Ly market is held every Tuesday and it is run by a medium-sized minority group. You will meet People from surrounding ethnic villages, such as Flower H’mong, Phu La, and Dao Tuyen, who gather here to sell and buy their products. The market offers fresh vegetables, fruits, livestock, handicrafts and clothes.

• Timing: The market starts at 6 am and closes around 2 pm.
• Location: Coc Ly (95 km from Sapa or 60 km from Lao Cai).

3. Cao Son Market

Cao Son market is basically a medium sized market that is opened every Wednesday. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains. The people from Phu La, Flower Hmong, Black Dao, Han are popular traders in this market. The market offers a variety of items, including vegetables, herbs, shiitake mushrooms, honey, corn wine, upland rice, household goods, and jewelry.

• Timing: The market starts pretty early in the morning and continues until around 2 pm.
• Location: Cao Son (120 km from Sapa or 85 km from Lao Cai).

4. Xin Cheng Market

Xin Cheng market is held every Wednesday. The Tay, Giay and Flower Hmong group of people are seen most in this market. The market sells fruits, clothes, horses, buffaloes, tobacco, etc.

• Timing: The market opens at 6:30 am and continues until around 11 am.
• Location: Along the Chinese Border.

5. Binh Lu Market

Binh Lu Market is held every Sunday. You will find Tai Laos, Tai Lu, H’mong, White Tai and Yao group of people in the market. They sell locally produced goods in this market,which include handicrafts, herbs, knives, jewelry, and other unique goods.

• Timing: It opens from 8 am and closes at 1 pm.
• Location: Binh Lu (127 km from Lao Cai or 90 km from Sapa).

6. Lung Khau Nhin Market

Lung Khau Nhin market is a small market that is located close to the border of China. The traders are from Giay, Black Dao, Tay, and Flower Hmong group of people. The market is open every Thursday. They mainly provide seeds, livestock and vegetables and there are not many tourists here.

• Timing: It opens at 7:30 in the morning and closes in the early afternoon.
• Location: Close to Muong Khuong town, near the border with China.

7. Can Cau Market

Can Cau market is open every Saturday and has attracted a lot of visitors traveling to Vietnam. The main traders here are Flower Hmong, Nung, Phu La and Chinese people across the border. The market is filled with all kinds of goods such as fabric, livestock and local corn wine.

• Timing: The market starts at around 7:30 am in the morning and closes early in the afternoon.
• Location: Around 20 km to the North of Bac Ha.

8. Pha Long Market

Pha Long market is held every Saturday morning and you can see the roads, paths, and mountains filled with local people trying to sell and buy the products. The market is crowded with people from Lolo, Tay, H’mong, Dzay, and Nung groups. From livestock such as chicken, cow, pigs, buffalo to fresh fruits, clothes, and handicrafts; you can get everything in this market.

• Timing: The market starts at 6 am to 12 pm.
• Location: Around for two hours from the Lao Cai town.

9. Bac Ha Market

Bac Ha Market is held every Sunday and it is considered one of the biggest minority markets in Northern Vietnam. You will interact with people from Tay, Black Dao, Flower Hmong, La Chi, Nung, Phu La, and many other minority groups here. Plus, you will find an array of different local products for sale.

• Timing: The market opens at 7:30 am and closes at mid-afternoon.
• Location: Bac Ha (110 km from Sapa or 72 km from Lao Cai).

10. Lung Phin Market

Lung Phin market is one of the most vibrant ethnic minorities markets in Northern Vietnam and it opens on the days of Monkey and days of Tiger (according to the lunar calendar) and is held weekly. This market not only trades goods but also a love market for young people. Lung Phin market focuses 16 ethnic minorities in the region. It provides local specialties such as mint honey, Lung Phin tea, corn wine, dried beef, horse meat and brocades.

• Timing: starting very early from 4-5 am till 3 – 4 pm.
• Location: 35 km from the town center of Dong Van, Ha Giang province.

In conclusion, the vibrant of Ethnic Minorities Markets in Northern Vietnam offer a captivating glimpse into the rich heritage and unique cultures of the region. As you explore these bustling markets, you’ll encounter traditional costumes, fresh locally-produced goods, and lively trading environments. Whether you’re shopping for vegetables, handicrafts, or local specialties, these markets provide an unforgettable experience during your Northern Vietnam tour.

Learn more: Mai Chau: Meet the northwest masterpiece of Vietnam