Ha Giang is on Vietnam’s most northerly regions with a unique geographical makeup and diverse range of cultures. The mountainous area with towering limestone peaks, share a 270 km border with neighbouring China and plays host to the border crossing at Thanh Thuy. This remote and stunningly beautiful area is one of the last areas of Vietnam that requires tourists to obtain a visa in order to visit, but not to worry it is relatively cheap and easy to purchase one. Although gaining popularity with tourists, this remarkable area is still off the beaten track and goes unnoticed by many. Those that do make it to what is known as the “Final Frontier of Vietnam” are rewarded by sweeping views of karst mountains, carpets of flowers, colourful markets and rich, diverse ethnic minority communities.
Market sessions in Yen Minh, Ha Giang
It is a northern border district of Vietnam, in Ha Giang province, Yen Minh is 100km northeast of Ha Giang town, with 25.27 km of border. Not only famous for its attractive pine forests, but Yen Minh is also the area with the most fairs in Ha Giang. The famous market sessions in Yen Minh are:
Yen Minh Market
The market usually meets on Sunday mornings of the week. From the early morning, every bustling crowd of people on the roads flock to the town. Many people from remote and mountainous villages had to get up at midnight and go through steep passes to reach Yen Minh. The quiet space of this place suddenly comes to life on a fair day, with all colours of costumes: Brocade skirt of H’Mong people, the red scarf of Dao people, the blue skirt of Tay girls, Nung’s indigo outfit…
Main commodities are agricultural and forestry products, native produce, agricultural tools, food and drinks, most of which are homegrown.
Bach Dich Market: It has 3 markets in 1 month, namely Ban Muong Market, Moc 9 Market (also called Moc 358 Market) and communal centre market. These markets are held in sessions that fall on the Monkey day and the Tiger day of the month.
Mau Due Market: Mau Due Market meets once a week on Sunday mornings
Sung Trang Market: Sung Trang Market is held on Sunday mornings. And some other markets such as Sung Chai Market, Lung Ho Market, Ngoc Long Market, Mau Long Market.
Market sessions in Dong Van, Ha Giang
Fair in Dong Van, Ha Giang is a beauty in the daily life of ethnic minorities. Besides the majestic landscapes, going to the fair in Ha Giang is an experience that you should not miss. In Dong Van, there are many markets held during the week:
Central Market, also known as Dong Van Market: It is held in the town center every Sunday morning of the week
Dong Van fair is located in Dong Van ancient town, this is the largest centre of economic, goods and cultural exchange in the of Dong Van – Meo Vac Plateau. Located on a large area, overall U-shaped architecture, all made of stone materials. Also become a convergence of cultural identities of ethnic colours in this northern highland plateau. It is an indispensable destination in adventure tours in Vietnam.
The unique feature of Dong Van fair is the goods that people bring to the market, mainly agricultural products and products made in their area. Different from the plain market, people come to the market to buy and sell, and people come to Dong Van fair, in addition to trading, exchanging goods, a market is also a place for people to exchange and meet.
Usually, the whole family goes to the market. Mothers and wives go to the market to shop; the husbands go to the market to drink, eat Thang Co, and play the trumpet; children follow their parents to go to the market; young men and women come to the market to meet and find love partners.
Especially on the 14th, 15th and 16th of the lunar month every month, in this market and old town, lively cultural activities with specific characteristics of the land and upland people such as: Organizing a bird-fighting contest, performing traditional brocade weaving of ethnic groups in the region. In the evening, in the old town, there are some activities that attract tourists to Ha Giang. Those are the unique cultural features of this northernmost highland fair.
Market sessions in Meo Vac, Ha Giang
The market in Meo Vac Ha Giang is Ha Giang’s largest market. It attracts hundreds of visitors to visit because of the unique cultural features contained in each fair. There are famous markets in Meo Vac that are:
Son Vi Market is held on the morning of the weekly Sunday
Central Market, also known as Meo Vac, is also held once a week on Sunday mornings
The session market is right in the centre of town – it’s close to the stadium so it’s very convenient for both tourists and indigenous people. This is considered to be the largest fair in the highland area and is held from Saturday evening until Sunday afternoon. Visitors can go to the night market, eat snacks and walk the night market, enjoy the bustling atmosphere here. When buying brocade, food such as wine, cakes or souvenirs, you should pay the price, bargain to avoid being expensive to buy offline. Do not miss Meo Vac fair because when you come here.
Khau Vai Market:
It is held in the morning on the 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd and 27th of the month (according to the lunar calendar). Especially the Khau Vai love market, the famous Ha Giang fair is held only once a year on the 27th of the third lunar month.
Sung Tra Market:
Meeting once on Saturday. And some other special markets such as Tat Ngan Market, Nam Ban Market, Xin Cai Market, Son Vi Market meet on Sunday morning every week, Thuong Phung Market.
At Meo Vac Market, there are many specialities with rich flavours. Such as Thang Co; Men Men; corn cake; Au Tau Rice Soup, … So do not forget to enjoy these specialities to make the trip more complete.
Back Markets in Ha Giang
Call “back market” to indicate that the next market will have a “back” meeting a day from the previous one.
It means that the schedule of “Ha Giang market back” is fixed every 6 days. But because there are 7 days a week, the next market will be one day back (according to the solar calendar). For example, this week the market will take place on Sunday. And the next week will take place on Saturday, and so on. As for the H’Mong, the Chinese, their calculation according to the 12 Chinese zodiacs, will meet on days when they consider conflict. Such as pairs of Rat – Horse, Tiger – Monkey, Snake- Pig, etc.
When travelling to Ha Giang, you can see many markets sessions, markets in many places and often meet permanently on Saturdays and Sundays, but there are only 8 back markets which are:
Pho Bang Market
Location: About 5 km from Sung La three- ways crossroad
Meeting schedule: On the 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th, 30th of every month (solar calendar) and Rat year, Horse day (according to the 12 animal calendar).
Cao Pho Market
Location: Located right on the asphalt road, at the transition between Yen Minh and Dong Van towns.
Meeting schedule: 4, 10, 16, 28 monthly and dragon, dog days.
Sa Phin Market
Location: The Gate of the Vuong family’s residence, Dong Van district.
Meeting schedule: Monthly 5, 11, 17, 23, 29 monthly and Snake, Pig day.
Lung Phin Market
Location: Dong Van district but you have to follow Yen Minh – Meo Vac street.
Meeting schedule: Day 2, 8, 14, 20, 26 monthly and Tiger day, Monkey day
Markets of Lung Cu, Sung Trai and Trang Kim (meeting on the Goat and Ox days) and Ma Le market (on the Rat and Horse days). These markets all meet in Dong Van district, while Trang Kim market meets in Quan Ba district.