Trip to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam: The Sunday Bac Ha Market

On Sunday I had an early breakfast, checked out of the hotel and took a van to Bac Ha and the famous Sunday market before taking the train back to Hanoi. After a beautiful trip down the mountain we stopped at a travel agency near the train station in Lao Cai to drop off our bags. Then we were off up another mountain road to Bac Ha. On the way we were stopped by police to be sure our van didn't have any illegal Chinese immigrants. China was right across the river.

The Bac Ha Market is a magnet for the local hill tribe people, above all the exotically attired Flower Hmong, and makes a technicolor dream for photographers.

Flower Hmong women wear several layers of dazzling clothing. These include an elaborate collar-cum shawl that's pinned at the neck and an apron style garment;both are made of tightly woven strips of fabric, often with a frilly edge. Highly ornate cuffs and ankle fabrics are often part of the costume as is a checked headscarf (often lime green or electric pink)

A Temple near the market.

Sugar cane.

I rarely eat meat in Asia.

Skirts were often for sale as were aprons.

A balloon seller in the market.

You had to watch out for the occasional water buffalo.

And, of course, they tried for a few last minute sales when you got ready to leave.

On our way back to the train station we had to stop and look at China across the river.