The unique Bao La highland market

As usual, every Friday is market day in Bao La commune. The market is bustling even when the fog is still thick in the mountains. More than just a place for buying and selling, the market is also a place for close friends to meet and exchange feelings, a place for young men and women to hẹn hò (date), creating a vibrant cultural scene in this mountainous region.

Before sunrise, people of all ages, from young to old, from the highland villages, dressed in the traditional costumes of their ethnic minorities, eagerly immersed themselves in the atmosphere of the market. Along both sides of the road, stall owners quickly set up and arranged their goods to welcome customers.

Agricultural products produced by the local people themselves are sold at Bao La market.

Having dedicated more than half his life to blacksmithing, Mr. Ha Cong Song from Hich hamlet always brings his agricultural tools to sell to the local people at market day. These handcrafted products, forged and tempered, are durable, sharp, and creatively designed to meet the needs of the people. According to market prices, the products range from 100,000 to 300,000 VND depending on the design and type. Given the region's agricultural production characteristics, Mr. Song's traditional agricultural tools are frequently in high demand.

Mr. Song shared: “My family has been blacksmithing for nearly 30 years, and for more than 20 of those years, we’ve been bringing our products to the local market to serve the needs of the people in the area. These are indispensable items in every farming family for daily life, production, and economic development. Compared to the past, the market is now busier, with a wider variety of goods at reasonable prices for consumers. However, the market still retains its inherent beauty, not only as a place for exchanging goods but also as an opportunity for people of different ethnic groups in the region to meet.”

Agricultural tools are sold by locals at the market to meet their daily needs and production requirements.

According to local residents, Bao La market was established in the late 1980s to serve the exchange of goods for people in the highlands, mainly ethnic minorities such as the Thai, Muong, and Mong. Unlike regular markets, this market is only open on Fridays to allow people to stock up on goods for the week. The market opens at dawn and closes by morning; during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), Bao La market opens all day to meet the shopping needs of the people.

Each product and item brought to the market by the local people is the culmination of their hard work, diligence, and perseverance, and represents the unique characteristics of the region. The way they display their goods is simple and unpretentious; the people use readily available materials spread on the ground. Despite its simplicity, the market offers a variety of delicious and unique products from the mountains and forests. From fresh agricultural products like vegetables, fruits, and Muong Pa black pork, to brocade fabrics and handicrafts... Amidst the modern lifestyle, the Bao La market still retains traditional cultural features that are not found everywhere.

Mr. Nguyen Tran Viet Bach, a tourist from Hanoi, said: “Along with the majestic natural scenery of the region, the experience of visiting the market and its culture is wonderful. I was impressed by the lively atmosphere and the unique goods that the ethnic minorities brought to the market. The market is also a place where tourists can learn about the customs, traditions, and daily life of the local people.”

The Bao La market is bustling.

The bustling market is especially lively at the food stalls. The enticing aroma of traditional, rustic dishes from the highlands, wafting through the air, seems to captivate both shoppers and tourists. All of this creates a vibrant picture of the unique identity and culture of this highland market.

Visit Bao La during the end of the year to admire the dreamy, peaceful beauty of the Thai ethnic villages, and don't forget to experience the local market – a place that preserves the unique local culture and strong imprint of the highlands.

Duc Anh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/dac-sac-phien-cho-vung-cao-bao-la-244213.htm