박하현

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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