Bac Ha Market Sapa – The Most Colorful Market in North Vietnam

Category: Vietnam Destinations

Bac Ha is a highland valley town 45km northwest of the famous destination of Sapa, next to National road 70. Bac Ha has some of the most fabulous attractions: Bac Ha Market Sapa, which meets on Sundays when groups of Tay, Dao, Nung, Giay, and Hoa-Hmong gather and trade busily. Bac Ha is elevated over 1,200 meters above sea level, not as spectacular as Sapa at 1,600 meters, but from this rounded peak veiled in thin fogs, the scenery has a charm that is hard to resist. This is also not a tourist area, more like a bustling everyday rural community than a resort in the mountains.

You won’t regret a weekend day at Bac Ha spent picking up the vibes of this colorful Can Cau Market on Saturday. And on your way to Bac Ha, don’t forget to stop by the Hmong villages around Ban Pho and Coc Ly market.

Table of Contents

Bac Ha Sunday Market Sapa

Bac Ha Sunday Market is quite different from the one in Sapa, with few sightseeing places and only vendors that serve Pho and draft beer. The Bac Ha Sunday Market is the only attractive occasion that you won’t want to miss. It gathers from 8 to 10 a.m. and then gradually dissolves at noon. There you can have a chance to chat friendly with the beautiful Hmong women dressed in the traditional garments woven by their own hands.

At Bac Ha Market Sapa, there are cattle, vegetables, and meat in trade, wine bars, and shops selling agricultural equipment. The congested market bustling with people bargaining, exchanging small talks, and chatting away without pushing around is a rare and unique sight that will bring you much delight. Then people disperse, returning the calm atmosphere to Bac Ha.

Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour to discover Bac Ha Market – 2 days

Bac Ha Market Sapa - The Most Colorful Market in North Vietnam 1

While Sapa gets crowded and saturated as tourists come here to sightsee and relax, Bac Ha Market is evolving in the wake of Sapa with the orientation of building its tourism industry around agricultural activities.

Although its current infrastructure is still undeveloped, its crude, simple appearance hides inside a charm that plays a different stroke on visitors who soon find a personal fondness for the place.

North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Moc Chau – 8 days

Other attractions in Bac Ha

Hoang A Tuong mansion

The Miao King mansion is designed with Asian – European architecture, is a beautiful place to photograph, and used to be the castle of the once most powerful family in Northwest Vietnam. Located in Bac Ha town. Visit when you have a chance.

Bac Ha Market Sapa - The Most Colorful Market in North Vietnam 2

Thai Giang Pho flower valley

About 1.5 km from the center of Bac Ha, the Thai Giang Pho flower valley is developed with private funds that promote ecotourism. If you want your photos filled with purple, come here around October and November (Photos)

Thai Giang Pho is colorful, with flowers around the year, and the Orchids bloom throughout all four seasons. Besides, there are also planted many kinds of street flowers such as hydrangeas, gloxinia, prairie gentian, inpatients, etc. The two colors that make up the colorful beauty of Thai Giang Pho are the purple of lavender and the bright yellow-green of orchids.

Northwest Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be – 9 days

Bac Ha Market Sapa - The Most Colorful Market in North Vietnam 3

Buckwheat flower fields

Buckwheat is not exclusive to Ha Giang, as many Bac Ha gardens have also grown to attract tourists. You can come to take pictures of the buckwheat flower fields at Po Cho 2 (Lau Thi Ngai commune), San Bay 2 (Thai Giang Pho commune), and La Di Thang (Ta Van Chu commune). Buckwheat flower season is in late October and November.

Bac Ha Market Sapa - The Most Colorful Market in North Vietnam 4

Fairy Cave

Fairy Cave lies amongst chains of limestone mountains, cascades, and natural caves, those who have a heart for nature should come and explore this place. This region has little tourism development and is largely untouched.

North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay – 10 days

Bac Ha Market Sapa - The Most Colorful Market in North Vietnam 5

Food

Like the rich costumes of ethnic groups, Bac Ha cuisine also brings various colors to Vietnamese recipes. Have you ever tried red Pho? Serve with sticky rice. White Pho is so ordinary, so have you ever tried green Pho? Blue Pho? Or purple? Let’s not worry about the colors of Pho, as they are from common local herbs and will make your lunch more interesting and beautiful.

Bac Ha Market Sapa - The Most Colorful Market in North Vietnam 6

Another specialty you should try is buffalo meat and horse meat (also known as thang co). Also, it’s pretty fanciful nibbling at a hot piece of sweet potato in the cold, fragrant air there. There are so many kinds of vegetables and fresh fruits here. What are sweet potatoes, cassava, cowpea, ginseng, fresh red chili, green veggies, golden beeswax, and ebony garden tools… laid all around, bewildering your eyes with the desire to try them all?

There, you will discover many amazing food and drinks only available in Bac Ha, such as Ban Pho corn wine, Tam Hoa plum, men (steamed ground corn), etc.

Top 6 Exotic Foods in Northwest Vietnam You Must Try Once in Your Life
North Vietnam Food – Ride To Northeastern Lands For An Amazing Discovery

Outfits

Different items are specific to different cultures. You can distinguish them by the contrast in colors and patterns. If you want to know which products belong to which tribe, ask, and the seller is always happy to answer and share their culture with you. All items are made by meticulous craftsmanship, absolutely not products of machines.

When to visit Bac Ha Market Sapa?

Bac Ha Market only gathers on Sundays, from 6 to 12 a.m., so get up early to enjoy the bustling atmosphere here.

What motorbike route can you take to get to Bac Ha from Hanoi?

It is not difficult to come to Bac Ha from Hanoi, even though this is only a town. Travel time should be about 6 hours. There are breathtaking views along the way, so 6 hours of traveling so the whole 6 hours will be a pretty exciting experience. Many travel companies have tours to Bac Ha market from Hanoi or Sapa. Tours from Sapa to Bac Ha are usually in 1-2 days. Tours from Hanoi to Bac Ha often take more than one week since they would likely include a visit to Bac Ha market and exploring Sapa Motorbike Tours and Ha Giang Motorbike Tours city. In addition, the travel agencies offer activities like trekking and cycling on these tours.

Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour via Bac Ha and Can Cau Markets – 2 days

Motorbike Route: Sapa → Lao Cai → Bac Ha Market Sapa → Can Cau Market

And one of the most well-known spots for motorcycle backpackers is Sapa, a wondrous tourist attraction in the north of Vietnam with the most ubiquitous Northwest markets, Bac Ha Market and Can Cau Market. During the motorbike trip, travelers will be immersed in the unique atmosphere of mountainous areas, experiencing cultural traditions such as savoring the typically indigenous dishes and exploring the bustling mountainous kermis views. The vibrant, colorful, and lively market atmosphere is bound to appeal to and leave you with memorable experiences.

Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour to discover Bac Ha Market – 2 days

Motorbike Route: Sapa → Lao Cai → Bac Ha Market Sapa → Can Cau Market

Lao Cai, a mountainous province in the Northwest region, is home to many famous sites such as Ham Rong, Fansipan, and Love waterfall. Besides these tourist spots, Bac Ha Market Sapa is one of the must-visit places on the trip to Lao Cai. This market will give you a chance to experience a challenging ride and discover the indigenous cultures of the highlanders. A 2-day Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour to discover Bac Ha Sunday Market will be the best choice for you to explore every corner of Bac Ha market. Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of the market days to gain the most enjoyable experiences right now!

North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay – 9 days

Motorbike Route: Hanoi → Vu Linh→ Mu Cang Chai → Bac Ha Market Sapa → Quan Ba → Bao Lac → Bac Son → Ha Long → Hanoi

The 9-day Northern Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay is one of the scenic long-distance tours we specially designed for those who want to admire the beauty of northern Vietnam during the tour, such as Mu Cang Chai, Bac Ha Market Sapa, Ha Giang, and the world-famous Halong Bay in the final destination. After seven days of riding, the most awaited part of the tour was the last night on the luxurious 5-star cruise in Halong Bay. Experience Vietnam in your way and pack yourself with many amazing riding experiences you will never forget.

North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Lang Son – 11 days

Motorbike Route: Hanoi → Nghia Lo → Than Uyen → Sapa→ Bac Ha Market Sapa → Ha Giang→ Dong Van → Bao Lac → Cao Bang → Lang Son → Hanoi

Northern Vietnam is a land filled with wonders from west to east, some bestowed by Mother Nature and others shaped by weak human hands. Every locale has something to offer, from the quiet Mu Cang Chai to the busy Sapa, from the rustic Xin Man to the splendid Ma Pi Leng, from the captivating Ban Gioc to the simple Phia Chang. Through a journey of nearly 3,000 kilometers spanning 11 days on a motorbikes holiday, we aim to bring out the most of the land’s heavenly beauty, whether you are a beginner or an experienced driver, with our carefully-crafted itinerary as presented below.

Bac Ha Market Sapa - The Most Colorful Market in North Vietnam 10

North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Thac Ba Lake – 11 days

Motorbike Route: Hanoi → Mai Chau → Phu Yen → Mu Cang Chai → Than Uyen → Sapa → Bac Ha Market Sapa → Hoang Su Phi → Ha Giang → Dong Van → Meo Vac → Bao Lac → Lago Ba Be → Thac Ba Lake → Hanoi

The 11-day North Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Thac Ba Lake is one of the most remote tours in the whole country. However, that intact and pristine area is home to several glorious, naturally preserved, and almost intact destinations by humans. They range from limestone mountains, rice terraces, river valleys, and green meadows. By exploring northern regions such as Mai Chau, Mu Cang Chai, Bac Ha Market Sapa, Ha Giang by motorbike, Ba Be Lake seeing the diversity of nature and people, and witnessing their daily life in the remote area, you can get out of your comfort zone and explore the other aspects of life and somehow understand the voice of the mother nature.

North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay – 14 days

Motorbike Route: Hanoi → Nghia Lo → Than Uyen → Sapa → Bac Ha Market Sapa → Ha Giang → Dong Van → Bao Lac → Cao Bang → Lang Son → Ha Long → Hanoi

Vietnam motorbike tours club is a professional and leading Vietnam motorbike tour operator offering any motorbike tour: adventure motorbike tours, Vietnam dirt bike tours, and Vietnam enduro tours. We are proud to have a team of passionate tour guides and mechanics with rich experience organizing motorbike tours. Besides, we own many motorcycles of various types and powers (Honda XR150, Honda CRF150, Suzuki DRZ400,…), which meet clients’ diverse demands. Our professionalism, experience, and great enthusiasm make us confident in creating a lasting impression for travelers with the Sapa motorbike tours via the Bac Ha market. Come and join this exciting, fun, and exhilarating journey.

BM Travel Adventure is a professional and leading Vietnam motorbike tour operator offering any kind of motorbike tour: adventure motorbike tours, Vietnam dirt bike tours, and Vietnam enduro tours. We are proud to have a team of passionate tour guides and mechanics with rich experience organizing motorbike tours. Besides, we own many motorcycles of various types and powers (Honda XR150, Honda CRF150, Suzuki DRZ400,…), which meet clients’ diverse demands. Our professionalism, experience, and great enthusiasm make us confident in creating a lasting impression for travelers with the Sapa motorbike tours via the Bac Ha market. Come and join this exciting, fun, and exhilarating journey.