Ba Son: The cultural beauty of the local market.

Local people sell medicinal herbs at the Ba Son market.

In the early days of 2026, we visited the Ba Son market. Walking around, we felt the bustling atmosphere of buyers and sellers, filled with laughter and conversation. Groups of people from the Tay, Nung, and Dao ethnic groups from various villages carried their bags to the market, shopping and chatting animatedly. As we strolled through the market, we saw many stalls selling mainly local specialties and agricultural products such as: herbal rice wine, honey, medicinal herbs, vegetables, and fruits… Besides that, a wide variety of goods for daily needs such as clothing, shoes, household items, small-scale production tools, fresh food, and other essential items were also on display.

Ms. Ha Thi Tinh, from Ban Don village, Ba Son commune, happily shared: "My family has 2 sao (approximately 2,000 square meters) of land where we grow various vegetables and fruits. Before, to sell our produce, we had to take it to the markets in Cao Loc or Loc Binh communes, which were very far away. We had to leave early and were constantly worried about not being able to sell it. Since the establishment of the market right in the commune, we farmers only need to bring our goods to the market and there are buyers. We can sell whatever we grow, and we no longer have to transport our produce far away like before."

For many locals, especially the elderly, Ba Son market is not only a place for buying and selling goods, but also a place to socialize, meet, visit relatives, and discuss work. Ms. Duong Thi Lan (70 years old), from Ban Vang village, Ba Son commune, expressed: “It’s been over 25 years since the market reopened. We elderly people are so happy; we no longer have to travel 30 kilometers by motorbike to the town. Besides shopping, we come here to visit old friends, watch cultural performances, and feel much more cheerful.”

Reportedly, to achieve this vibrant atmosphere, the local authorities have made a great effort to restore a cultural tradition that had been interrupted for 25 years. With 3 billion VND from the state budget, Ba Son Market has been renovated to a spacious area of nearly 3,000 m². The market is scheduled to meet on the 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, and 28th of each lunar month.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thinh, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Son commune, said: Ba Son commune was established by merging the communes of Mau Son, Cao Lau, and Xut Le (formerly belonging to Cao Loc district). It is one of the eight communes in the province with particularly difficult socio -economic conditions. After the merger, the need for trade and connectivity between areas has become even more urgent. The official opening of the Ba Son market is of great significance, creating opportunities for trade, stimulating consumption, and facilitating the exchange of goods among the people; it also serves as a bridge between producers, traders, businesses, and consumers within and outside the commune. We expect the market to contribute to economic development, creating conditions for people in the region, especially in the border area, to trade and conduct business conveniently, thereby increasing income for each household.

Since the market was restored, the atmosphere has become much more vibrant. People bring many agricultural products and local specialties to the market to buy, sell, and exchange, meeting their daily consumption needs. More than just a trading place, the market is gradually becoming a space for meeting and connecting the community in the Ba Son border region.

To attract people from within and outside the commune, the People's Committee of the commune organized cultural and artistic exchange activities during the first six market sessions since its opening (December 27, 2025). In the coming time, the People's Committee of the commune will continue to focus on the management, maintenance, and repair of market infrastructure items such as: establishing stalls, improving the toilet and water supply and drainage systems… to better meet the needs of people buying and selling goods. Along with that, the commune will strengthen propaganda and mobilization efforts to encourage people, especially those engaged in agriculture and small-scale handicrafts, to proactively bring their products to the market for introduction and consumption; and encourage the development of distinctive local products…

With the attention of the government and the consensus of the people, it is believed that Ba Son market will gradually become stable, playing its role as a livelihood support, a cultural living space, contributing to preserving the beauty of the market culture, and promoting the socio-economic development of the locality.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/ba-son-giu-gin-net-dep-van-hoa-cho-phien-5072635.html