1. SAPA BAC HA LOVE MARKET (ONLY SUNDAY)
Sapa is famous for Bac Ha love market sorf of a cross between a Middle Eastern arms bazaar, an Amish Square dance, a bad Avarotti concert and Bangkok's Patpong (except here the people wear clothes).
On Saturday nights, Red Dao hill tribe youths of both sexes congregate in a weekly courting rite, singing tribal versions of love songs to woo the oppsite the opposite sex. The songs are highly personalized and boast of the composer's physical attributes, domestic abilities, and strong work ethic.
2. SAPA TOUR CAN CAU MARKET
Sprawling near a banks of a river. Can Cau Market is a clearly defined shantytown, packe with crude stalls covered with thatched roofs.
The start of a few of simple settlements can be seen hight above, many of whose residents now make their weekly pilgrimages to the market. The market is only 9km from the Chines border and some traders make the journey across from China on horseback. Unfortunately, foreigners are not allowed to reciprocate this set - up, however tempting it may seem.
can Cau is predominately a livestock market and is not the place to buy some gifts for the villagers. Outside the perimeter of the fence, pigs, chickens, and buffalo were patiently waiting by the river to be sold. They stand shoulder to shoulder with beautiful snow wild horses, some of which will transport their owners back to China. But the market also sells the basics: traditional clothing, rice of sacks, bundles of coarse, raw wool and ironware.
Some stalls sell fresh tobacco and a rather sad array of root vegetables. Many women sell their wares from large wicker baskets and sit weaving whilst waiting for a sale.
3. SAPA BINH LU & TAM DUONG MARKET
Binh Lu and Tam Duong Market are located on the other side of Sapa, passing the 1900 meter Tram Ton Pass, Vietnam's highest mountain pass and considered the most beautiful stretch of road in the country.
The town is bustling with activity as local hill tribes gather for their weekly market day, amazing tribal in Binh Lu where thousand of Thai Kadai language groups such as Tai Lu, Tai Laos, White Tai and H'mong - Yao group (Black Yao, Yao Lantien ..), Giay, Kho mu ... comes to buy and sell their own products.
4. SAPA COC LY MARKET (ONLY ON TUESDAY)
Taking place only on Tuesday, Coc Ly market is located on a hill side lying along the famous Chay river and surrounded by two lush mountain ranges. This market is quite small yet being very colourful, and at there you can meet several ethnic minorities living in the Northwest of Bac Ha district such as H'mong Hoa, black Zao, Phu La, Nung or Tay, as they come to the market and trade goods.
The market is divided into separate zones: one is for selling brocade, and another is for selling traditional food. The difference of this fair is that it is not only the place for people to sell and exchange merchandise, but also the place to sing the love songs.
Source: Internet
