Bac Ha District

Province · Lào Cai Province, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

Bắc Hà is a highland town in Lào Cai province, in the mountains of northern Vietnam. It is best known for its Sunday market, where Flower Hmong, Dao, Tay and other communities gather in colourful clothes to trade. The town sits at about 900 metres, so it is cooler than the plains, with hills, maize fields and plum orchards around it.

Most visitors come for a day or a night from Sa Pa or Lào Cai. Plan to be here on a Sunday.

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When to visit

The Sunday market runs all year. March and April bring plum, peach and pear blossom. September and October are dry with golden fields. Winter from December to February is cold and foggy, and snow is rare. Summer from June to August is wet.

Best time to visit: February, March, November, December

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good

16° (feels like 14°) · extremes 1°–23°
6° at night
6 rainy days
2 sunny days
2 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in February

Great

19° (feels like 17°) · extremes 3°–26°
8° at night
5 rainy days
2 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Great

23° · extremes 6°–29°
12° at night
10 rainy days
2 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in April

Good

26° (feels like 27°) · extremes 10°–32°
16° at night
15 rainy days
3 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in May

Fair

28° (feels like 29°) · extremes 14°–32°
18° at night
20 rainy days
4 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in June

Poor

28° (feels like 31°) · extremes 18°–31°
20° at night
24 rainy days
1 sunny day
5 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Poor

28° (feels like 31°) · extremes 19°–31°
20° at night
25 rainy days
2 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Poor

27° (feels like 30°) · extremes 18°–30°
20° at night
25 rainy days
2 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in September

Fair

26° (feels like 28°) · extremes 15°–29°
18° at night
19 rainy days
3 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in October

Good

23° (feels like 24°) · extremes 11°–27°
15° at night
13 rainy days
3 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in November

Great

20° · extremes 6°–25°
11° at night
8 rainy days
6 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in December

Great

16° (feels like 15°) · extremes 2°–22°
7° at night
5 rainy days
3 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 4 · moderate

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

Bac Ha Market is the large Sunday market in the town centre, with textiles, animals, food and rice wine.
Hmong King's Palace is a large mansion built in the early 20th century for a local ruling family, with a mix of Chinese and French styles.
Chợ Cán Cấu is the Cán Cấu market, held on Saturday, in the hills near the border with China.
Chợ Cốc Ly is the Cốc Ly market, held on Tuesday, in a Flower Hmong area.

Featured Lists

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Bac Ha Essentials

Bac Ha is a highland hub in Northern Vietnam characterized by its weekly ethnic markets and historical landmarks. The region features the early 20th-century Hmong King’s Palace, showcasing a blend of French and Chinese architecture, and the Bac Ha Temple, dedicated to 16th-century regional defenders. Weekly trade centers include the large Sunday market and specialized Saturday buffalo sales at Can Cau. The surrounding landscape is defined by extensive rice terraces and the Chay River, where the Coc Ly market convenes every Tuesday.

8 places

What to experience

Wander the Sunday market: Go early, before 9 am, for the best atmosphere.
Visit the Hmong King's Palace: A short visit with a large courtyard.
Taste corn wine: A local drink made in the valley.
Walk to nearby villages: Short trails lead to Flower Hmong and Tay villages.
Stay in a homestay: Simple stilt houses offer meals and rooms.

Tours & Activities

Bac Ha District — Map

Bac Ha District — Travel Guide (PDF) Open the interactive map

Day trips

Lao Cai: Lào Cai and Sa Pa lie about 70 to 100 km away.
Cán Cấu market: A Saturday market up a mountain road.
Cốc Ly market: A Tuesday market in a lowland valley.
Ha Giang: another northern highland province for a longer trip.

Where to explore

West: Lao Cai covers Sa Pa and Fansipan.
East: Ha Giang has the Hà Giang Loop.
Capital: Hanoi is the main gateway.

Getting there

By bus: Buses and minivans run from Lào Cai to Bắc Hà in about 2 hours. Direct buses also leave Hanoi.
From Sa Pa: A tour or private car takes about 3 hours.
By train: Trains run from Hanoi to Lào Cai. Then continue by road. Vietnam Railways
By air: There is no airport in Bắc Hà. Hanoi is the nearest hub.

Getting around

Walking: The town centre is small and walkable.
Motorbike hire: The best way to reach the markets and villages.
Taxi and car: Available through hotels for the markets.
Bicycle: Possible in the town and nearby valleys.

Driving

Is a car worth it? A car or driver helps for the market and for Cán Cấu. Mountain roads are narrow.
Roads: The road from Lào Cai is paved but winding.
Market days: Traffic and parking are crowded on Sunday mornings.

Food & drink

Bắc Hà food is mountain food. Try thắng cố, a horse or pork stew sold at the market, grilled meats, sticky rice and corn wine. Plums and peaches are sold in season. Meals are at the market stalls and small restaurants around the town.

Breakfast

Pho PhởBeef or chicken noodle soup with a fragrant broth, fresh herbs, and rice noodles; commonly eaten for breakfast.

Lunch

Bun Cha Bún chảGrilled pork patties and slices served with rice vermicelli, herbs, and a sweet-sour dipping sauce; a Hanoi specialty.

Bun Bo Hue Bún bò HuếA spicy, lemongrass-scented beef noodle soup from the city of Hue.

Cao Lau Cao lầuA noodle dish unique to Hoi An, with thick chewy noodles, pork, and greens, traditionally made with local well water.

Snacks & street food

Banh Mi Bánh mìA French-influenced baguette sandwich filled with pork, pate, pickled vegetables, and herbs.

Banh Xeo Bánh xèoA crispy turmeric rice-flour crepe filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and herbs.

Goi Cuon Gỏi cuốnFresh (uncooked) spring rolls filled with shrimp, pork, herbs, and vermicelli, wrapped in rice paper.

Sweets & desserts

Che ChèA category of sweet dessert soups or puddings made with beans, fruit, jelly, and coconut milk, served hot or over ice.

Drinks

Ca Phe Sua Da Cà phê sữa đáStrong drip coffee served over ice with sweetened condensed milk; Vietnam's signature drink.

Bia Hoi Bia hơiCheap, light draft beer brewed fresh daily and sold at street-side stalls, especially in Hanoi.

Safety & health

Bắc Hà is a safe town.

The market is crowded. Keep your valuables close.
Ask before taking photos of people.
Mountain roads are steep and can be foggy. Take care on a motorbike.
Nights are cold in winter. Bring warm clothes.
Medical care is basic. The nearest large hospital is in Lào Cai.

History

Bắc Hà was ruled in the early 20th century by the Hoàng family, local Tay and Hmong leaders, under French protection. They built a palace in a mix of Chinese and French styles, now a museum.

The market grew from a trading place between mountain communities. It is still the main event of the week and remains a place where people trade animals, tools and cloth.