Can Cau Market is one of the most colourful traditional markets in northern Vietnam. Located in the mountains near Bac Ha in Lao Cai Province, the Saturday market brings together Flower Hmong and other ethnic communities from surrounding mountain villages.

I travelled there by motorbike in 2014, following the mountain roads from Lao Cai toward Bac Ha and Can Cau. What I found was more than a market — it was a meeting place where people came to trade, meet friends, sell handmade textiles and livestock, and simply spend time together.

After doing some research I discovered that Bac Ha was less touristy compared to Sapa and would be a great place to start to get contacts and finding my way up to the mountains.

The Flower Hmong people. The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

I met the most beautiful children on the mountain of Bac Ha, Vietnam. Many of these Hmong live in the mountain peaks, farming and with minimum basic needs. They get their water and electric source from the rivers. Some do not have proper education as there are not many schools in their area.

Where is Can Cau Market?

Can Cau Market is a traditional Saturday market in northern Vietnam, located in the mountainous Lao Cai region north of Bac Ha and relatively close to the Chinese border. The market is known for its colourful textiles, agricultural produce, livestock and the communities who travel from surrounding villages to trade and meet.

Generally Hmong groups from highland villages are the famous vendors or the Flower Hmong people. Their colourful dresses made a beautiful sight to us to see. The market is every Saturday and around 8 different minorities are at the market.

A Hmong selling fruit. You have to bargain the prices but they can be pretty easy with giving best prices.

Life Around the Market

A local with a baby on her back, a usual way they carry their babies on a sack tied on their backs. – Can Cau Market Vietnam

A wide range of hand made traditional fabric sold here at the Can Cau market. Prices between 200,000 to 500,000 dongs.

The Flower Hmong of Northern Vietnam

I found her sitting here by herself for while, after a little persuasion and many smiles, I finally got her to pose. One of my fav moments here. – Bac Ha, Vietnam

Lychee – the most popular fruit commercially sold in Can Can Market, Bac Ha, Vietnam.

Another area in the market is the livestock and cattle trade. You will find the best cattle here according to locals. 

Beautiful children of the Flower Hmong people – Bac Ha, Vietnam

Into the Mountain Villages

At times stopping my bike to let bigger monsters to pass. The pathway isn’t bigger enough for two way traffic. 

We stopped to meet some locals farming in village at Bac Ha, we had a cold breeze and friendly Hmong villagers greeting us. Men and women work in the farms all day here, part of it is food and some for the weekend market.

She was really impressed with my beard. I use any reason to start a communication and get them to be comfortable for my presence there as a visitor. 

On our way down from the mountain we stopped to buy some vegetable for dinner. Shu Tan had something special to cook for me. They sit along the mountain roads all day trying to sell their vegetables to make an earning for the day. Hmong People, Bac Ha, Vietnam

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