When the sun sets behind the rolling mountains, Bac Ha - the "white plateau" of Lao Cai seems to put on a new coat. On the streets in the commune center, the bright yellow lights clearly illuminate each row of shops, each bright smile of the vendors. The aroma of thang co and grilled meat mixed with the smoke, leading visitors to an attractive culinary corner.
If during the day, Bac Ha is memorable for its colorful market, the quiet Hoang A Tuong palace and the peaceful Mong, Tay and Phu La ethnic villages, then at night, this place becomes a vivid picture of sound, light and cultural colors. The night-time economy is gradually becoming an indispensable part, adding vitality and new opportunities to this "white plateau" land.
From 6pm, Bac Ha walking street begins to bustle. Along the less than 500 meter long street, dozens of colorful handicraft stalls: Mong ethnic brocade scarves, Tay ethnic fabric bags, and sophisticated silver carvings... The melodious sound of Mong flutes blends with the Then singing and gentle Tinh lute of elderly artisans, creating a space imbued with traditional cultural identity, yet very close and familiar.
The place that holds tourists back the longest is still the night food court. Thang co is boiling in a large pan, the aroma of sour pho, men men, grilled corn, grilled stream fish with mac khen leaves blend together, making anyone passing by want to stop. On wooden tables placed close together, tourists raise cups of corn wine with rose apple leaves, chat with the locals, listen to stories about Bac Ha in plum blossom season, horse racing season...
Mr. Giang A Hai, Director of the Bac Ha Regional Center for Culture, Sports and Communications, shared: The development of Bac Ha night market has created a unique cultural and tourist space, where visitors can experience cuisine, enjoy performing arts, shop for specialties and interact with local people. This is not only an activity to promote tourism, create livelihoods for local people, but also a way to preserve, spread and promote the cultural identity of ethnic groups, bringing the image of the "white plateau" of Bac Ha closer to domestic and international friends.
A special feature of the night economy in Bac Ha is the active participation of local people. Since the walking street opened, dozens of households in Bac Ha commune and neighboring communes have opened stalls selling brocade and food, or set up small stages to perform folk arts.
Young people in Bac Ha are also quick to catch up with the night-time economic trend. A group of young people opened a cafe with acoustic music, inviting local artists to perform on Saturday nights.
Some other young people started a business with the “night tour” model - taking tourists to take photos, visit walking streets, light campfires, and enjoy Ban Pho corn wine.
The Women's Union of Bac Ha commune also established a team to prepare traditional dishes, both to preserve old recipes and to create stable jobs for members. Not only does this increase income, but it also helps people feel more attached to their homeland.
Not as noisy as big cities, the night economy in Bac Ha has a quiet charm. The cool climate creates a pleasant feeling when walking in the middle of the night street. Security and order are guaranteed to help visitors feel secure during their stay in Bac Ha.
A day of experiencing the "white plateau" begins in the morning, when visitors can stroll around the market, visit Hoang A Tuong Palace, and explore villages in Na Hoi Tay, Na Hoi Nung, Ta Chai, and Ban Pho. In the afternoon, experience horseback riding, mountain climbing, and taking photos with four-season flower gardens... In the evening, visitors can walk around the night market, enjoy the cuisine and unique cultural performances of ethnic minorities, creating a complete experience.
Director of the Bac Ha Regional Center for Culture, Sports and Communications Giang A Hai added: The locality is planning to open more night tourism products such as a night flower market in spring, a cloud hunting tour at dawn combined with overnight stays at a homestay, organizing events, larger-scale folk art performances... to create something new to keep tourists staying in Bac Ha longer.
Recently, on August 10, 2025, Bac Ha commune started to rebuild the main stage of the night market with a larger design, simulating the architecture of a Mong house, close and unique. This will be the center for organizing events, cultural activities, outdoor performances... to serve the activities of Bac Ha night market.
Although initially there has been some improvement, the night-time economy of Bac Ha is currently facing some difficulties. Lighting infrastructure, parking lots, and public toilets in some areas have not met the needs and increasing number of visitors. Human resources serving night tourism, especially foreign language communication skills and service skills, are still limited. Many vendors are not familiar with civilized sales methods, and sometimes there are still cases of solicitation or unclear price listing of items.
Some opinions are also concerned that product repetition and lack of innovation will make Bac Ha's night-time economy lose its appeal. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the economy in parallel with preserving and maintaining cultural identity, avoiding commercialization that distorts folk art activities. Local authorities have also proposed a plan to train people's skills, improve infrastructure and organize regular competitions and festivals to refresh the night-time atmosphere.
The night economy is not only about trading, but also a way for tourists to fully experience the soul of Bac Ha - where culture, cuisine, and people blend together in a new rhythm of life. Like a love song with two chapters - elegant during the day, brilliant at night - Bac Ha is awakening in the sound of Mong flutes, in the aroma of corn wine with yeast leaves, in the laughter of people meeting each other in the night streets.
With steps towards combining cultural preservation and environmental protection, the night-time economy will become a new “source”, bringing the “white plateau” into a journey of prosperity, so that every night in Bac Ha is a memorable experience for visitors from near and far.
Presented by: Bich Hue
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/thuc-cung-pho-dem-cao-nguyen-post879820.html
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