Sapa – Hill Tribe Market Tours

Coc Ly Market (Tuesday)

Drive from Lao Cai (2hrs) to Coc Ly market where situated between stunning mountains by the Chay River. Every Tuesday morning, the people from the surrounding ethnic villages such as Flower H’mong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen gather to sell and buy their products. Having explored the market, you will have a boat trip to Flower H’mong village of Na Nen then trek to Trung Do village of Tay minority people. Enjoy the picnic lunch in local house with Tay people. From there you can travel by boat down the river and experience the magnificent sight of the beautiful  river banks.You will be picked up in Bao Nhai village and drive uphill to Sa Pa. Note:you could start from Sa Pa to Coc Ly market(3hrs).

Cao Son Market (Wednesday)

Departing early from Lao Cai or Sa Pa you will enjoy beautiful scenery and visit Cao Son markets. We take a dirt road which leads up into the mountains through Pine Tree forests and villages that surround the tiny markets. Flower H’mong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay ethnic minorities come to trade local products such as food, agricultural supplies and fabric. After exploring these markets your car will take you back to Muong Khuong for lunch. After lunch in local restaurant you will visit the most secluded, peaceful villages and have the opportunity to observe traditional practices such as distilling wine from corn and making bacon. You will be offered a special corn cake when you drop by local houses. You will be transferred to Sa Pa or Lao Cai at your request.

Xin Cheng Market (Wednesday) 

One of the truly authentic markets in the northwest of Viet Nam, Xin Cheng market offers a special and unique experience.  An early departure from Sa Pa or Lao Cai station to Bac Ha traveling through the Viet Nam-China border area, you will enjoy amazing mountain vistas and  a charming river.   The activities of minority people are evident with corn plantations and terraced rice fields seen throughout the landscape.  This panoramic route leads you to Xin Cheng, a colorful and special market for Flower H’Mong, Tay and Giay people who come to trade and exchange local products like tobacco, clothes, fruits, horses and buffaloes.  The market itself is also a place for the young to meet and find partners, for the old to get away from life’s struggles, and for men to enjoy the traditional corn wine.  Like a colourful festival of life, it is a happy time for all involved before heading back to their daily routine.  Returning to Bac Ha at noon, we pass by the H’Mong King Palace to learn about the history and culture of the area.  Transport to Sa Pa or Lao Cai station as per your request.

Lung Khau Nhin Market (Thursday)

An early departure by car from Lao Cai or Sa Pa to Lung Khau Nhin Market  delivers beautiful scenery, with Pine Tree forests and villages surrounding the tiny market. Flower H’mong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay ethnic minorities come to buy and sell local products such as food, fabric and agricultural materials.  After exploring the market, your car will transport you to a minority village to discover the simple life of mountain people. You have an oppoturnity to see people distilling wine made from corn, making bacon the traditional way and offering a special corn cake to anyone who drops by their house. Transfer to Sa Pa or Lao Cai Station.

Binh Lu Market (Thursday)

Travel by  by car through Tram Ton Pass. On the way, you can take a short walk to Silver Waterfall and then head to Heaven’s Gate, where you will be amazed by breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains including Mt. Fansipan, the highest peak of Indochina reaching 3143metres above sea level. Your ride will be mostly downhill (approximately 1.5hours) toward Binh Lu Market. You will stop at Chu Va Village of the Red H’mong minority before reaching Binh Lu township. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the local restaurant. Trek through the rice fields to Pa Pe Village home of Lu and Thai minority people. Return to Sa Pa in the afternoon.

Can Cau Market (Saturday)

After breakfast at Lao Cai you will take a 2:30 hours drive to Can Cau market.  Your journey will take you through the mountainous border area between Viet Nam and China.  Situated 20 kilometres from Bac Ha, Can Cau is a small but very colorful market.  Opening only on Saturdays, it always delivers a very photogenic display of Flower Hmong , Nung and Phu La ethnic costumes.  After spending the morning exploring the market, you will leave for Bac Ha town where you will have lunch.  From Bac Ha you drive downhill (1/2 hour) to start a short walk to Trung Do Village which belongs to the Tay minority. You have the opportunity to visit a traditional Tay house.  We then travel by boat through amazing countryside to Bao Nhai Village.  Transfer to Sa Pa or Lao Cai station.

Bac Ha Market (Sunday)  Leaving Sapa early in the morning, we drive to Bac Ha market (approximately 2.5 hours). Arriving at Bac Ha, we visit the big market and colorful ethnic people of the Flower H’mong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen minorities, who gather here to buy and sell their handicraft products. After spending the morning exploring the market, your lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch we drive downhill to start a short walk to Trung Do Village which is home to the Tay minority. Here you can visit a traditional Tay house. We will then travel by boat through amazing countryside to Bao Nhai Village. Transfer you back to Sa Pa or Lao Cai station at your request.

Bac Ha Market – Buffalo Cart & Boat Trip Leaving Sapa early in the morning, we travel by car to Bac Ha Market (approximately 2.5 hours). Arriving at Bac Ha, we visit the big outdoor market with its colorful ethnic minority people, such as Flower Hmong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen, who gather here to buy and sell their handicraft products.   After visiting the market, you will enjoy lunch at a restaurant. We leave Bac Ha Market for Trung Do Village, where we will enjoy a magical water buffalo cart ride while traveling through amazing countryside inhabited by the happy and hospitable Tay minority people. From the village we will travel by boat down the Chay River to experience the picturesque scenery and magnificent sights along the river. After the boat trip we will enjoy a refreshing cup of tea before our driver transports you to either Sa Pa or Lao Cai station at your request.

Muong Hum Market (Sunday) 

From Sa Pa we drive to Ban Xeo Village, this drive leads you to a very authentic area that is still not visited by tourists. The bumpy road takes you off the main tourist trail and enables you to discover the unspoiled hill tribe culture. Your driver will transfer you to Muong Hum Market where you discover that you are the only tourist in this impressive local market. After the market, we will drive you to Ha Nhi minority Village, a picnic lunch will be served on the way at a beautiful location. Transfer back to Sa Pa in the afternoon.

Sin Ho Market (Sunday)

After an early breakfast in your hotel you will travel to Silver Waterfall and Heaven’s Gate before driving to Lai Chau (approximately 1.5 hours) on the longest and most stunning mountain pass in Viet Nam. Along the way you have many chances to witness the authentic life of local minority people in the northwest of Viet Nam. Arriving at Sin Ho Market around 11am, you will encounter a photogenic display of Red H’mong, Black Dao and Thai ethnic costumes. Chinese people also attend the market for trading. After exploring the market you will leave for a hill tribe village, enjoying a picnic lunch on the way before driving back to Sa Pa in the afternoon.

Transportation
English or French speaking guide
Entrance fee
Picnic lunch

Boat trip ( for Coc Ly, Bac Ha, Can Cau market)

Buffalo cart (for Bac Ha market)