Special features of Can Cau buffalo market

For a long time, Si Ma Cai commune, Lao Cai province has been known as a famous tourist destination. Tourists come here to admire the majestic beauty of the mountains and forests, the green terraced fields and the unique culture of the Northwest highlands. Among them, the Can Cau buffalo market of ethnic minorities located on the slope of the pass is one of the special highlights.

The highlight of Can Cau market is the buying and selling of buffaloes (Illustration photo)

The special and attractive point of Can Cau market is the buffalo trading area. Unlike the usual markets that only sell agricultural products, brocades or household items, Can Cau market is where hundreds of buffaloes of all kinds, from calves to healthy adult buffaloes, are gathered, led down from the mountains and forests by people. The sound of buffaloes and calves calling the herd, the sound of people bargaining, the sound of panpipes and flutes of ethnic boys and girls create an extremely bustling and lively atmosphere.

Can Cau market is held every Saturday on the Can Cu Su slope. From 6am, on a large area of ​​land, hundreds of buffaloes are brought to the market. The market sells all kinds of buffaloes, including breeding buffaloes, buffaloes for plowing or buffaloes for meat. Each buffalo weighing about 300kg is sold for 35-40 million VND/head, calves are sold for 3-5 million VND/head, beautiful female buffaloes are sold for 8-12 million VND/head, and buffaloes for meat are sold for 6-10 million VND/head. At the market, not only the H'Mong people but also the Nung, La Chi, Dao, Kinh,... gather very happily.

Here, buffaloes are not only assets but also draught animals in agricultural production. Therefore, buyers choose buffaloes very carefully, from their appearance, hooves, horns to teeth and jaws to ensure they choose healthy and satisfactory buffaloes. Transactions take place quickly but no less excitingly with strong handshakes showing trust and consensus.

In addition to buffalo, Can Cau market is also a place for cultural exchange of ethnic groups. Visitors can see colorful traditional costumes of the H'Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung, etc. The stalls sell all kinds of items from local agricultural products such as cat cabbage, wild bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms to sophisticated handicrafts such as brocade bags, silver bracelets, embroidered scarves, etc.

In addition to buffalo, Can Cau market also sells agricultural products, brocade, embroidered scarves...

In addition, the typical Northwest food stall also captivates visitors. The small shop, with only a few tables and chairs, attracts a lot of customers. The most popular dishes in the misty Northwest morning are pho and thang co. Pho here is not like the lowland but is made from local upland rice, very soft and sticky. Boiled black H'Mong chickens are placed next to the pho pot, stimulating the taste buds of visitors.

Can Cau market usually lasts until noon. People lead their buffaloes home hoping that the next market will sell well. Those who sell their buffaloes are happy and radiant. After the market, the men stop by the shop to sip some corn wine and a hot pot of thang co. They sit together, tell a few stories until late afternoon, then say goodbye, and make an appointment for the next market with joyful hopes.

Can Cau Market is not only a simple market but also a vivid picture of life, culture and people of the highlands. Coming to Can Cau, visitors not only experience the unique atmosphere of buying and selling but also have the opportunity to learn more about the unique traditional culture, simplicity and hospitality of the ethnic people here.

Can Cu Su slope is so beautiful at sunset. Human voices blend with the sounds of the mountains and forests until nightfall./.

Tran Thai Hoc

Source: https://baolongan.vn/dac-sac-phien-cho-trau-can-cau-a199906.html