Radiant Mountain Tet Markets

People from the Northwest visit the market for exchanges, shopping, and socializing, creating a vibrant year-end market with their festive attire.

From the early morning mist, as it still veils the branches, grass, and roadsides, footsteps resound towards the market.

1. Cán Cấu Market (Si Ma Cai, Lào Cai)

Being one of the largest markets in the Northwest, Cán Cấu market gathers only on Saturdays, making it lively and bustling. For highland residents, going to the market is not just about buying and selling goods but also about socializing and exchanging after days of hard work. Therefore, along the roads, from the mountain slopes, hills, dirt paths, people on foot, on horseback, and on motorcycles joyfully converge towards the market.

Some carry black piglets, while others, be it sisters or grandmothers, carry various agricultural products such as corn, rice, or freshly picked green vegetables from the garden. The market is simple; people just need to lay out a raincoat and then sell pieces of meat, chickens, threaded fish, a few green bananas, or bottles of freshly collected forest honey. At this market, dried chili is abundantly sold. It's not sold per piece but rather the whole dried chili is tied together in large and small clusters, looking very enticing.

When the sun casts shadows, the large simmering pots in the market corner have subsided, the fragrant corn wine has run dry, yet the tales persist. Local boys and girls part ways, weaving through the crowd, radiance gleaming on their faces (Image of Cán Cấu market).

2. Bát Xát Market (Lào Cai)

The Tet market in Bát Xát is always lively, even in the chilling weather of the highlands during this season. The market convenes in the middle of an open flat land, wind blowing from all directions but not dampening the vibrant atmosphere. In one corner, the vivid colors of headscarves or dresses of H'Mong girls brighten the scene as people compete to buy unique items, intricately embroidered traditional fabric.

In another corner, vendors display bundles of fresh green bamboo leaves arranged in circles, neatly split bundles, or long bamboo tubes used for packaging gio cake. Laughter, bargaining, and the hustle and bustle fill a corner of the market. Everyone is eager to sell quickly and then take advantage of Tet shopping. The most crowded stalls are those selling clothes, shoes, and Tet specialties. People seize the opportunity to buy and sell, then invite each other to enjoy a bowl of thắng cố soup, a bowl of phở, or sip corn wine until they become pleasantly intoxicated.

The most joyous are the group of young people who come to the market to find friends, admiring the ethnic minority girls in their vibrant costumes. They play the lip harp, its melodious sound inviting romantic encounters.

3. Mèo Vạc Market (Hà Giang)

In the rocky plateau of Ha Giang, unique backward markets are a common topic. Termed 'backward' because instead of meeting once every 7 days, the locals here gather every 6 days, a day later than the previous week.

The market usually convenes from 5 am until 3-4 pm. People from all walks of life, the elderly, children, boys, and girls from the village, all buzz with excitement. As the market starts early, reaching it requires waking up at 3 or 4 am, mainly on foot. Some children still sleep soundly while their mothers carry them down to the market. On the backs of grandmothers and mothers, baskets containing rice, corn, and pieces of pork march down the mountain in unison.

Right from the roadside entrance to the market, baskets of shiny oranges and golden tangerines are piled up, priced from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per kilogram. In the market, the most abundant items for sale are still clothes, food, and toys for children. People seize the opportunity to select items to serve them during the Tet days. Children frolic in the market, eagerly anticipating their mothers buying them toys, clothes, or new shoes.

In a corner of the market, a barber with simple tools is always busy, working tirelessly as there are many customers waiting. The elderly, children, everyone wants a new hairstyle for Tet. In the evening, as the sun gradually hides behind the market shadows disperse. Along the roads back to the village, tourists easily encounter images of locals leading horses carrying their belongings along mountain paths on their way home.

4. Xín Mần Market (Hà Giang)

Located about 150 km from Hà Giang town, Xín Mần district market, situated at the far west of Ha Giang, is distinctly bustling compared to regular market days. During this occasion, visitors will witness Lô Lô, Hà Nhì, Pà Thẻn girls adorned in vibrant new dresses, with everyone's face radiantly fair and lovely.

Unlike the bustling markets in the lowland areas with numerous stalls and compartments, the Tet market here often consists of simple shaded counters. However, the goods remain diverse, offering a wide range of Tet items such as candied fruits, chicken, duck, clothing, packaged Chung cakes, gold coins, paintings, New Year calendars... Buyers and sellers engage in swift transactions as there is no bargaining or haggling.

During the market sessions, many young people carry traditional wind instruments, and small portable speakers playing folk songs fill the air. Groups of girls stroll through, holding umbrellas, occasionally casting glances at the boys, sharing laughter. It is in these markets that many couples have embraced dance and melodious tunes from traditional instruments, turning each market session into a rendezvous (Image of Xín Mần beauty).

According to VnExpress

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Reference: Travel guide by Mytour