Market - a symphony of the highlands

People bring many products from the mountains and forests to the market.

Most of the villagers made their way to the market along winding forest trails, their motorbikes clattering along unhurriedly, calmly rolling through villages still asleep.

As we approached the market, we could hear the faint giggling of Hmong and Dao girls in their brightly colored dresses. The way they went to the market was like going to a festival – there was anticipation, excitement, and joy in their eyes.

The market wasn't crowded yet, but the atmosphere already exuded something very special: a warmth, simplicity, and authenticity that made us feel as close as home.

There's no need for lavishly decorated shops or flashy signs; here, each simple tarp, each sack propped up on a rock, is a "stall." And it is in these places that culture comes alive through the colors of dresses, the folds of scarves, the shy glances, and the firm handshakes.

At the market, people sell everything from chickens and bundles of firewood to bamboo shoots, exchanging smiles and casually chatting about life. Some go to the market not to buy anything, just to meet acquaintances, chat a little, and share a glass of corn wine. Others carry their goods from 3 a.m., selling them only to quickly buy a pound of salt and some dried fish... then wade through streams and climb mountains to get home.

The market is captivating because of the vibrant skirts of the Hmong and Dao girls, meticulously embroidered with exquisite detail. Particularly striking is the flared skirt with many folds worn by Hmong women, swaying with each step. Hmong women often wear their brightly colored traditional clothing, confidently displaying it as their most beautiful "weapon" to attract the attention of those around them.

At the wild vegetable stalls, the women carefully handle bundles of young bamboo shoots, bamboo-tube rice, baskets of chicken eggs... Everything is simple and honest, as if it carries the breath of the mountains.

Far away at the end of the market, a group of Tay people sat huddled under a tree, with plates of corn cakes, boiled bananas, and a few cups of wine in front of them. They chatted and laughed merrily.
In another corner, a few women happily chatted, asking each other about their husbands, children, the harvest, and so on. It was a vibrant, age-old, and enduring culture.

The simplicity and unpretentiousness of buyers and sellers at the market.

The unpretentious and simple nature of buyers and sellers at the market.

The highland market is not just a place for trading goods, but also a symphony of languages, ethnicities, and cultural sounds. The Hmong language soars high, as if gliding over hilltops; the Dao language is patient and gentle like a flowing stream; the Tay language is warm and endearing like an evening fire.

People greet and inquire about each other in their mother tongue, and everyone understands each other through glances, smiles, and genuine hospitality.

Stopping by a simple stall set up on the ground, the vendor smiled kindly and invited us to buy her goods in broken Vietnamese. Her voice was so simple yet it warmed my heart, like sipping a glass of corn wine.

I met Giàng A Páo, a Hmong man from Lũng Luông village, carrying a rooster and several bundles of dried bamboo shoots. Having sold them for over 200,000 dong, Mr. Páo shared that he was torn between buying pork or a new set of clothes for his child. Ultimately, he chose the new clothes. “The child will be so happy… I have little money, but my wife asked me to buy so many things, I don’t know if I’ll have enough!” – Mr. Páo shared with a gentle smile.

Going to the market is an opportunity for women to chat and confide in each other.

Those who go to the market aren't always well-off, but they still go, bringing with them their smiles and unique simplicity. Beyond the exchange of goods, the market is also a place for sharing stories, news, and lessons… Women gather around the market, sharing embroidery tips, childcare secrets, and recipes for various cakes; young people exchange newly learned musical pieces and flute melodies; the elderly pass down old stories and ways to preserve the customs and morals of the highlands…

The market is a melting pot of different ethnic groups, adding richness to the tapestry of life here. We become a part of the market, of the crowds, of the small joys and quiet warmth. We feel ourselves slowing down, sensing the rhythm of nature, and realizing that amidst the hustle and bustle of life, this place possesses captivating touches.

As the sun rose to the mountaintop, the sounds of people faded. The loads on their backs were lighter, and the footsteps mingled on the path home. Some walked, some pushed their carts, some were silent, others laughed and chatted. They greeted each other, promising to meet again at the next market. Mrs. Trieu Thi Men, a Dao woman from Vu Chan, said: “The market is so lively, young and old alike want to go. Even if we don’t buy anything, we can still meet and chat to ease our longing for each other…”

We left the market, the slanted sunlight stretching long across the small road. A day passed, without noise or haste, only joy permeating every glance and smile. There, each dress color, each flute sound, each greeting… all were notes in the endless symphony between heaven, earth, and people.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202507/cho-phien-ban-hoa-ca-cua-vung-cao-7630ffe/