Bac Ha is found in northernmost Vietnam, close to the border with China. It is a great base for exploring the border towns and boasts a bustling Sunday market.
Large numbers of local hill tribes come down to Bac Ha with their wares on a Sunday to sell in the market and visitors can pick up all sorts of locally-produced items at a snip. Textiles are a particularly good buy, along with jewellery and wood carvings, but be sure to haggle.
With exception of the Sunday Market, there’s not that much to explore. Other nearby markets worth checking out for those with their own transport options include Lung Phin Market, also on a Sunday and 12kms from Bac Ha; the Saturday Can Cau Market 20kms away; and Coc Ly Tuesday market, 35kms from Bac Ha.
Getting There & Away
Bac Ha is on highway 153 to the northeast of Lao Cai. The only transport options include hire car and buses from Lao Cai or Sapa. Bus journey times from Lao Cai is two hours and there are three services a day. Noi Bai International Airport is an hour north of Hanoi and is the main gateway.
Things to Do
Bac Ha Attractions
- Bac Ha Sunday Market
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The main and only real attraction in town, with a dozen hill tribes selling their products on the cheap.