Bac Ha Travel

Bac Ha is located 70 kilometers from Lao Cai city. If you are interested in the markets -- which are certainly worth visiting - then Bac Ha is the ideal place. Visit Coc Ly on Tuesday, Cao Son on Wednesday, Can Cau on Saturday, and Xin Man or Bac Ha on Sunday.

Transportation to Bac Ha

To reach Bac Ha, you need to take a train or bus to Pho Lu or Lao Cai city. This route is particularly appealing due to its winding mountain passes, making it a popular choice for young travelers who prefer to ride motorbikes. Other tourists often opt for sleeper buses, which cost approximately 200,000 - 300,000 VND. Alternatively, you can take a train from Hanoi station to Lao Cai station, with air-conditioned sleeper berths costing around 600,000 VND and seats costing between 200,000 - 400,000 VND. Upon arriving in Lao Cai, you will then take a bus to Bac Ha.

The best mode of transportation within Bac Ha is a motorbike.

Photo: Nina May

Best time to visit Bac Ha

In the spring, Bac Ha is vibrant and fragrant with blooming forest flowers on the hillsides, and young plants begin to sprout lush green leaves.

In the summer, escaping to Bac Ha to avoid the heat is an excellent choice. During this time, Bac Ha has a cool and pleasant atmosphere. You can relax and enjoy the fresh, cool air of the Northwestern mountains and forests, forgetting the scorching heat of the bustling cities.

In the autumn, you can not only enjoy the mild and pleasant weather but also participate in interesting local festivals and admire the golden rice terraces on the hillsides.

If you wish to see a serene Bac Ha shrouded in the early morning mist or experience the cold weather with bare trees, visit in the winter.

Must-Visit Attractions in Bac Ha

Hoang A Tuong Palace

The Hoang A Tuong Palace was built from 1914 to 1921. It features Western architectural styles combined with Eastern decorative elements and was once the most beautiful and powerful residence in Bac Ha. The family lived there until 1950 when they abandoned it due to political upheavals. Since being recognized as a heritage site on June 11, 1999, the palace has been well-maintained and has been returned to the family to develop tourism in Bac Ha town.

The palace, also known as the Hoang Yen Chao Castle, belongs to Hoang Yen Chao, the "King of the Hmong" in Bac Ha. It is now over 100 years old.

Address: 257 Ngoc Uyen Street, Bac Ha town, Bac Ha, Lao Cai.

Hoang A Tuong Palace. Photo: Vietnamnet

Bac Ha Temple

Bac Ha Temple is a spiritual site frequented by locals, and many tourists also visit when in Bac Ha town. The temple honors Vu Van Mat, a local hero who established defensive fortifications to protect the nation during the reign of King Le Chieu Tong.

Address: DT 153 Road, at the central junction of Bac Ha, Bac Ha, Lao Cai.

Admission: Free.

Visiting hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.

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Bac Ha flower valley

The Bac Ha Flower Valley blooms throughout all four seasons with various flowers such as petunias, lavender, hydrangeas, orchids, roses, impatiens, nasturtiums, azaleas, and chrysanthemums. Visitors to Bac Ha can visit the flower valley at any time of the year, as each season brings a different color palette to the valley.

Address: San Bay Hamlet, Thai Giang Pho commune, Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province - about 1.5 km from Bac Ha town.

Bac Ha Fruit and Vegetable Farm

Located 1.5 km from the center, the Bac Ha Fruit and Vegetable Research and Production Farm is a popular ecotourism destination. It attracts many visitors, especially during the fruit season. At the farm, tourists can see clusters of red-purple plums, pear trees laden with fruit, and brightly colored peach trees.

Address: Ta Chai, Bac Ha, Lao Cai.

Bac Ha Market. Photo: Shutterstock

Weekly Markets Around Bac Ha Town

Tuesday

Coc Ly Market, about 35 km from Bac Ha town, serves as a meeting place for friends and for trading goods among the Flower Hmong, Black Dao, and Nung ethnic groups. The market features a section dedicated to forest products such as vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, honey, corn liquor, upland rice, household goods, jewelry, and colorful brocade items. However, the highlight is the livestock section, selling cattle, poultry, pigs, chickens, dogs, horses, and cats. Locally, Coc Ly means "Plum Root."

Wednesday

Cao Son Market is frequented by the Hmong, Phu La, Dao, and Black Han ethnic groups in Muong Khuong district. This market only operates once a week on Wednesdays. Early in the morning, people from various villages converge on the market, traveling in groups, pairs, or individually, carrying goods on their backs, on horses, or by motorbike or bicycle.

Thursday

Lung Khau Nhin Market in Muong Khuong district operates every Thursday morning. This market is renowned throughout the vast Northwestern region. The traders here are from the Hmong, Nung, and Kinh ethnic groups, selling mainly agricultural products such as corn, rice, soybeans, peanuts, vegetables, and fruits, as well as brocade items.

Friday

Chau Market in Lung Vai commune has long been a famous trading hub in the Eastern Thuy Vi area. It is not only a place for buying and selling but also for socializing, meeting friends, and romantic rendezvous.

Lung Phinh Market, about 10 km from Bac Ha district center, is divided into distinct sections: agricultural products, medicinal herbs, livestock, food, brocade, household items, and ethnic liquor. These sections are managed to ensure safety and hygiene, providing convenience and a better experience for tourists and buyers.

Photo: VnExpress

Saturday

Can Cau Market is a characteristic market of the Giay, Hmong, and Flower Hmong ethnic groups. Located along Road 153, the only dirt road connecting Bac Ha town with the border town of Si Ma Cai, Can Cau market in Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province, operates every Saturday and on holidays and Tet. This market is also the largest buffalo market in Northwest Vietnam, with hundreds of buffaloes traded each session.

Pha Long Market (Muong Khuong district) is a trading center for residents of Pha Long, Din Chin, Ta Ngai Cho, and Ta Gia Khau communes. During market days, the Hmong, Lo Lo, Tay, Nung, Giay, and other ethnic groups gather, creating a bustling and lively scene. The brocade section is the most vibrant and eye-catching. The Pha Long market is also famous for the Gầu Tào festival held during Tet.

Sunday

Bac Ha Market is the only market with a section dedicated to horse trading, where hundreds of horses of various colors (black, white, striped) are traded each session. Bac Ha also attracts tourists with its famous corn liquor from Ban Pho, brewed with spring water at an altitude of over 1,200 meters and distilled using forest leaf yeast. Visiting Bac Ha Market, tourists can also enjoy Lao Cai's specialty dish, Thang Co, made from horse offal and meat with herbs, creating a unique flavor that is unforgettable after one taste.

Muong Khuong Market, in Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province, operates on weekends. Early in the morning, the H'Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung, Giay, and Phu La people from Ban Lau, Ban Sen, La Pan Tan, Din Chin, Lung Khau Nhin, Lung Vai, Nam Chay, Nam Lu, and Pha Long, flock to the market with forest products or agricultural products they have grown. The colorful costumes of the ethnic people blend with the misty mountain landscape, creating a vibrant market scene rich in brocade colors.

Photo: Nong san Viet

Basic 2-Day Weekend Itinerary for Exploring Bac Ha

Day 1: Depart from Hanoi to Lao Cai by train or car the night before. The train departs at 10 PM and arrives in Lao Cai at 6 AM the next morning.

Day 2: At 6 AM, depart from Lao Cai, explore Muong Khuong and Simacai, then return to Bac Ha in the afternoon. Check-in and rest. At 4 PM, visit Hoang A Tuong Palace, have dinner in the market area, and enjoy local delicacies such as sui din, coffee.

Day 3: Visit, shop, and experience the cuisine at Bac Ha Market. Have lunch at the market at noon, then visit Bac Ha Temple. Return to the homestay, check out, and end your two-day stay in Bac Ha town.

Travel Tips in Bac Ha Town

Bac Ha town is situated at a high altitude, so it often has a lot of fog, which can appear unexpectedly with moisture. Therefore, when traveling, it is advisable to bring a raincoat.

If it doesn't rain, the weekend market is bustling from Saturday night. If it rains, it will not take place. However, the Sunday market operates regardless of weather conditions.

The Bac Ha market runs from early morning until around 2 PM, and vendors only leave once they have sold all their goods.

When visiting Bac Ha, it is most convenient to combine the route with Simacai and Muong Khuong, then loop back to Lao Cai for the return journey.

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