options include: bac ha market, coc ly market, Can Cau Market , Moung Hum Market & Moung Khoung Market ... and, of course, don't forget to explore Sa Pa Market itself which comes to life at the weekend

bac ha market

Time: Every SUNDAY
Length: 07.30 to mid-afternoon

Bac Ha Town is located approximately 50km east of Lao Cai, a 2.5 – 3 hour drive from sa pa. it is the most popular and busiest market in the northern province where a vast variety of goods are traded including livestock such as cows, pigs, buffalo and horses and daily items such as rice wine, vegetables and household goods. it is particularly popular with visitors because it provides an excellent opportunity to see and meet the people of the Flower H’mong ethnic minority, characterised by their extremely bright and colourful traditional dress.

coc ly market

Time: Every tuesday
Length: 07.30 to mid-afternoon

Coc Ly is a small market, approximately 3 hours drive from Sa Pa, is famous for the trade in buffalo and horses. It’s a fairly small market but particularly interesting due to its location next to the Chay River. It’s a market where you can observe a variety of ethnic groups, including: Flower H’mong, Phu La, Dao Tuyen and Tay who come to barter, and buy and sell goods every Tuesday.