Bac Ha dog market is bustling in the cold rain

On a Sunday morning in early November, Bac Ha market ( Lao Cai ) was bustling in the drizzling rain. The cold of the highlands could not stop the footsteps of ethnic people and tourists from everywhere. From 8am, the slope leading to the market was crowded with people.

Chợ chó Bắc Hà tấp nập trong mưa rét- Ảnh 1. — Many people often crossbreed Dingo dogs with Bac Ha or H'Mong dogs to create a strong, easy-to-raise breed that can both guard the house and hunt.

Not only domestic tourists, but also foreigners are eager to explore the most famous market in the Northwest region. Groups of Western tourists walk hand in hand along the market, enjoying hot chestnut cakes, black chicken pho, smoked pork, and marveling at the outdoor dog market.

Bac Ha dog is one of four precious native dog breeds of Vietnam, along with H'Mong bobtail, Indochina Dingo and Phu Quoc, but has a thick double coat, a curved tail shaped like a reed, a muscular body and bright, intelligent eyes.

Chợ chó Bắc Hà tấp nập trong mưa rét- Ảnh 2. — Bac Ha dogs have thick, double-layered fur that is frizzy and cold-resistant, especially suitable for highland climates.

For a long time, the Hmong people have considered Bac Ha dogs as loyal companions in their forest trips, house keeping and hunting. They are famous for their bravery, strength, loyalty and extreme alertness. Thanks to their wild beauty and intelligent nature, Bac Ha dogs are now not only raised in the highlands but also loved by many people in the lowlands, even exported to foreign countries.

Chợ chó Bắc Hà tấp nập trong mưa rét- Ảnh 3. — The Bac Ha puppies are about 2-3 months old, with fluffy fur, big noses and broad foreheads, the "bear-like" appearance that locals often call them.

Standing on the slope, Ms. Xuyen (40 years old, local) brought three dark brown puppies to the market to sell. It was drizzling, the small dogs huddled together at the owner's feet. Ms. Xuyen said: "The whole litter had eight puppies, the mother dog weighed nearly 30 kg, a purebred Bac Ha dog. The family had too many to handle, so they took advantage of Sunday to bring the puppies to sell, otherwise it would be a pity to leave them behind."

The customer asked to buy, offering 500,000 VND each, she shook her head, saying it should be 600,000 VND each. "Normally I install Viettel internet, I'm busy all day, I don't have time to take care of my husband and children, so I can't raise this pack of little dogs", she smiled then turned back down to wipe the raindrops off the dogs' backs.

Chợ chó Bắc Hà tấp nập trong mưa rét- Ảnh 4. — Ms. Xuyen's 3 puppies (right cover of photo) are short-haired Bac Ha dogs or crossbred dogs.

Not far away, an old Hmong man stood in the rain at the edge of the market, holding a rope to tie up a small, muddy dog. He had brought two puppies to the market early and had already sold one to a tourist.

Not being able to speak Kinh fluently, he only mumbled a few sentences enough to bargain and nod when the customer agreed to buy. He offered each dog a slightly higher price than other sellers. He said, "The dogs at home are healthy, eat well and run very fast."

In recent years, Bac Ha dog market has not only been a place for people in the highlands to buy and sell, but has also attracted many YouTubers and online video channel owners from all over. They are willing to stand for hours in the cold weather, livestreaming and filming each dog up close to introduce to viewers online.

Many curious viewers who wanted to explore the highland market did not hesitate to order dogs through live broadcasts, even transferring money to online video makers to buy them and then sending them to the lowlands.

Chợ chó Bắc Hà tấp nập trong mưa rét- Ảnh 5. — This is a purebred or lightly crossbred Bac Ha dog, typical of this region.

Dogs at Bac Ha market are mostly brought down to sell by local people, so the price is not fixed but depends on "looking at the customer's face" and the animal's appearance. The price of a Bac Ha mixed breed puppy is usually around 500,000-700,000 VND/dog, a purebred dog with curly hair or a beautiful appearance can cost 2-3 million VND, an adult dog from 3-7 million VND. The way to bargain is to ask gently, smile friendly, avoid paying too low because people in the highlands rarely haggle but value sincerity.

Chợ chó Bắc Hà tấp nập trong mưa rét- Ảnh 6. — This breed of dog is raised by the H'Mong people to hunt, guard the house and protect the fields. It is famous for its loyalty, bravery and ability to withstand the cold well.

Chợ chó Bắc Hà tấp nập trong mưa rét- Ảnh 7. — Bustling Bac Ha dog market on Sunday morning

According to those who have experience buying dogs in Bac Ha, you should observe carefully, choose dogs with bright eyes, shiny fur, curved tails, and no trembling or ruffling when touched. You should go early from 7-9 am, when the market is busiest, to easily choose healthy dogs at a reasonable price. Some sellers may not be fluent in Kinh, so the best way to communicate is to use signs or ask a local to translate.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cho-cho-bac-ha-tap-nap-trong-mua-ret-185251102123149654.htm