Bac Ha and its Sunday Market

Feb. 29th & March 1st (Day 6 & 7 of the Loop) We headed out from Sapa early so that we could spend more time in Bac Ha (a 3+ hour drive north east from Sapa).

We stayed at Huy Trung Homestay and also had dinner and breakfast with Mr Trung, his family and a couple from Holland (Roger and Melanie). There were 4 rooms in the homestay and we stayed in a room called “Happy” …..and we were very happy with our room. Mr Trung has put a lot of thought into what would make the rooms comfortable for guests. He was very proud to show us around.

Mr Trung also arranged a 3 1/2 hour motorbike tour of the area with 3 local fellows (all three were Thai majority). The motorbikes were once again a great way to travel to the villages, and with locals we saw so much more. Josie came with us so she could translate as the fellows did not speak English plus we enjoy our time with Josie.

We made sure we were in Bac Ha on a Sunday as we had heard that the Sunday market was one of the best ethnic markets in all of Southeast Asia. The ethnic minorities from the surrounding villages and hills come by foot or motorbike to socialize, eat, drink, smoke, get a haircut, and buy produce and meat or bid on a buffalo (there was a buffalo auction). It was so colourful as the local women and children dressed up in their best outfits. It was bustling with locals which made it so much fun to observe all of the action.