The beauty of Phin Ho Night Market

Cultural performances at Phin Ho Night Market. *Photo: Contributor.*

A place that preserves cultural beauty.

Despite being newly opened, the Phin Ho Night Market is bustling with buyers and sellers. Enthralled by the sounds and movements of the Hmong flute dancer Sung Chu Dinh from May Hoc village (Phin Ho commune), we felt the unique cultural atmosphere of the Hmong people. Artist Sung Chu Dinh enthusiastically shared: “When I was little, every time I went to the market with my father or attended the Gau Tao festival, the sound of the flute left a deep impression on me. Through the flute music and the flute dances passed down from our ancestors, we felt their thoughts and feelings, and immense pride. The sound of the flute, reaching across mountains and passes, calls out to friends, becoming a distinctive cultural feature of the Hmong people for generations.”

Descending to the Phin Ho Night Market, the highland people not only bring goods but also the unique beauty and characteristics of their ethnic group, adding color to the market. This is clearly seen in the traditional costumes worn by the young men and women when they come to the market. As usual, everyone chooses their most beautiful outfit to wear to the market. Vu Thi Sinh, from Huoi Dap village, Na Khoa commune, excitedly shared: “The Mong ethnic costume I’m wearing was sewn for me by my mother. I’m very proud to wear this traditional costume to perform for the audience at the Phin Ho Night Market. This also helps me to better understand, appreciate, preserve, and promote the beautiful traditions of my ethnic group…”

Reflecting the spirit of the mountains and forests and traditional cultural values, alongside modern stalls, Phin Ho Night Market also sells many items such as: hand-embroidered shoes, corn wine, and hand-forged agricultural tools (knives, hoes, shovels...). Mr. Phan Ngoc Linh, Head of the Culture and Information Department of Nam Po District, said: “Phin Ho Night Market is a vibrant picture, reflecting the economic development in the rural areas of Nam Po that is increasingly changing. People from the highlands come to the night market not only to socialize and exchange goods but also to contribute to preserving the traditional cultural features and roots of each ethnic group.”

Locals sell agricultural products at the Phin Ho night market.

Taking goods and tourism further afield.

Phin Ho commune is strategically located along National Highway 4H, a vital route connecting Dien Bien Phu city and Muong Nha district (an attractive tourist destination: Milestone No. 0 - A Pa Chai, Sin Thau commune). Therefore, in addition to preserving traditional cultural beauty, Nam Po district identifies the organization of the Phin Ho Night Market as a trade promotion activity, enhancing the promotion and introduction of the district's products and services, especially agricultural and forestry products, to consumers inside and outside the province. At the same time, it promotes joint ventures and linkages to expand the market, creating momentum for connection with the community tourism destination of Na Su village (Cha Nua commune).

The Phin Ho Night Market includes areas showcasing agricultural products, traditional food stalls, and entertainment zones. Each person comes to the market with specialties from their mountains, villages, and families – all clean products such as wild vegetables, home-grown vegetables, free-range chickens and ducks, rice, corn, potatoes, cassava, and agricultural tools. These products are the culmination of the diligent and creative labor of the people in these still challenging areas. The goods are simple, and the way they are displayed is rustic and unpretentious. Ms. Ho Chinh Hoi, from De Tinh 2 village (Phin Ho commune), shared: “People are so happy to have a night market! We no longer have to struggle carrying goods and agricultural products far to sell! We sell whatever we have – chickens, ducks, wild vegetables, food… mostly products from our own gardens.”

“This is my first time visiting Phin Ho and experiencing the atmosphere of the highland night market, and it's truly impressive. In particular, many things captivated me, from the artistic performances and traditional costumes to the friendliness and hospitality of the highland people. I especially enjoyed the traditional dishes, the rich aroma of the thang co stew, and the specialties made by the locals themselves. I bought some dried bamboo shoots and honey for myself and as gifts for my relatives...” - shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong from Dien Bien Phu City.

The Phin Ho Night Market is held every Saturday evening, from 5 PM to 10 PM. The market involves participation from 15 communes and various businesses, cooperatives, and individual traders from within and outside the district. It offers goods and services catering to the needs of tourists and locals, including merchandise, food, and entertainment. Mr. Leng Van Minh, Chairman of the Phin Ho Commune People's Committee, emphasized: “The Phin Ho Night Market is a unique product of the district. After nearly two months of operation, the number of visitors has increased weekly, demonstrating the market's attractiveness and appeal to tourists.”

The successful organization of the Phin Ho Night Market has contributed to boosting trade, promoting economic development and improving people's lives, and enhancing the promotion of the image, land, people, and agricultural and forestry products of the people in the commune in particular, and neighboring communes in Nam Po district in general. Through the night market, a "new breeze" has been brought to developing the commune's tourism potential, especially experiential and exploratory tourism; raising awareness, responsibility, and tourism practices among the people. This contributes to the preservation and development of traditional culture, making the night market an attractive destination for tourists who want to learn about the culture, life, and traditional customs of the ethnic minorities in the area.

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