The beautiful Plateau of Ha Giang is home of many ethnic minority people in Northern of Vietnam. It has unique customs and cultures which attract huge number of tourists. Among those is special market which held once per year. The markets in Ha Giang are not only the place to sell and buy things, but also to show multi-cultural colors of ethnic people.

1.    Khau Vai Love Market

Khau Vai love market

Khau Vai Love Market is held annually at the end of the third Lunar month in a large valley in Khau Vai commune, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang Province. Unlike other markets, Khau Vai Love Market is extraordinary and incredible because people come here not to sell and buy products. Instead, it is the dating place for ex-lovers who fell in love but could not have happy-ending together.

This annual event is legendarily originated from a sad love story centuries ago about a couple from different tribes falling in love but be forbidden to marry because of the conflict between their tribes. They had to broken up but still decided to see each other once a year on lunar March 25th in Khau Vai. Since then, it has become a traditional occation for couples of different ages who used to be in love but could not get marriage to come and meet each other again in one day. Now, the market also becomes a place for singles who want to find a partner.

Khau Vai Love Market is held with a lot of interesting activities and ceremonies as well as traditional dances and games. It attracts many famous ethnic groups in the area such as Tung, Nay, Mong, Thai,… so you will have chance to witness different cultures and colorful costumes of ethnic people.

2.    Du Gia Market, Yên Ninh District

Du gia Market

Located about 60km from Yen Ninh District, Du Gia Market is held every Friday in week and lasts from early morning till noon. This is a unique market with a lot of cultural features of ethnic people.
The market is the day that ethnic people dressing their best clothes and joining activities as a festival. There are a lot of traditional activities such as singing and dancing, playing traditional musical instruments or games. The market also has a lot of great foods of ethnic people such as corn wine, thang co as well as diverse handmade brocade products.

3.    Pho Cao Market, Dong Van District

Pho Cao Market

Held in famous Dong Van rock plateau, Pho Cao Market draws many tourists to visit. It is opened every 6 days, from morning till noon.

Pho Cao Market is place not only for selling and buying products and local specialities but also for cultural exchanges among 17 ethnic minority groups in Dong Van. Local people wear their traditional costumes, pack everything they got from home behind their back and bring it to the market to exchange together. The bustling environment different brilliant colors of local people’s clothes in Cao Pho Market will excite you a lot.

4.    Lung Pin Market, Meo Vac District

Lung Phin Market

Lung Phin market is 15 km from Meo Vac, Ha Giang, this is one of the most typical hill tribe markets is Vietnam where tens of thousands of people from Hmong, Dzao and Tay flock to on the days of Monkey and Tiger in Lunar calendar. At the market, a lot of local products are carried on horseback or buffaloes such as blacksmiths, saddlers, traditional medicines, clothing, and food. A lot of people can also be seen eating “Thang Co”, a popular dish of the Hmong people.

5.    Meo Vac Market, Meo Vac District

Meo Vac Market

This is the biggest market in Ha Giang, held on every Sunday. People usually have to come in the night before and the market lasts the whole day. The most popular product in here is cattle. Local people bring their cows, horses, goats and even pigs and dogs to sell or sometimes just to show. Meo Vac Market is also has many other products, from local agricultural products to furniture.

Especially, you will have chance to see the traditional costumes of the local Mong people at the market; the men wear long black dresses while the women dress in their best, most colorful costumes.