Sung Market is a fair in Phong Tho District in mountainous province of Lai Chau. The special thing about this market is it is held up to 12 levels of the mountain. That’s why it is called Si Lau (in local language, it means 12 levels of mountain).

Sung Market is situated in the remoted commune of the series of 8 boundary communes of Phong Tho District, just about 1km from the Vietnam-China Border. It is called Sung (horn) because it is held in the day of the animal having horn (day of goat and day of buffalo), according to the lunar calendar. Hence, the market is held every six days, like a lot of other market in the mountainous southern region.

The market up here still maintains traditional and pristine way. A lot of ethnic minority people such as Ha Nhi, Dao Do, Mong come to purchase goods and sometimes just meet people.

Every people wear their own traditional costume of their group. Almost the traditional costumes in here are very bright and colorful.

The goods are local things that people bring from their house to such as vegetable, fruits, etc.

The most attractive area in the market is the stall of brocade materials.

The market is not only the place to sell and buy things, but also an open “forum” for everyone to see and communicate people.

A corner of a “pub” (where the men gather to drink)

Little kids are also carried behind their mother’s backs to the market

The grills are favorite foods in here, because of cold weather

The road to Sung Market is really tough. You have to pass through 12 high slopes which may pretty dangerous in rainy season. The locals normally go to the market by foot.