- Time: Every SUNDAY
- Length: 07.30 to mid-afternoon
Bac Ha Town is located approximately 50km east of Lao Cai, a 2.5 – 3 hour drive via Lao Cai. It is the most popular and busiest market in the northern province where a vast variety of goods are traded including livestock such as cows, pigs, buffalo and horses and daily items such as rice wine, vegetables and household goods. It is particularly popular with visitors be – cause it provides an excellent opportunity to see and meet the people of the Flower H‘mong ethnic minority characterised by their extremely bright and colourful dress.
As is the case with all local markets in Vietnam – it’s an early start and early finish. Therefore, we depart from the hotel by minibus at approximately 07.30. We take the road to Lao Cai before heading further east to the town of Bac Ha. Note the change of scenery and the extensive tea plantations east of Lao Cai. At Bac Ha you have the opportunity to stroll around the mar – ket on your own, take lunch in one of the numerous eating outlets, before meeting back at a prearranged point.
As the market finishes by early afternoon, we head for a nearby local ethnic minority village (Ban Pho) for an insight into local life of the Flower H’mong or visit an ancient H’mong King’s house in the area. We then con – tinue by bus back to Sapa via Lao Cai (where it’s possible for guests to catch their train back to Hanoi). ** If you decide to depart the tour here, please be prepared for a wait of between 3 – 4 hours for your train. To pass the time, we suggest making a very short trip by bus to the Chinese border (2 km).