Can Cau Market (Cho Can Cau)
Can Cau, Si Ma Cai, Sapa, Lao Cai
Can Cau Market is a smaller, less-commercial alternative to the nearby Bac Ha Market. Located 6 miles (9 kilometers) from the Chinese border, you’ll find Hmong, Chinese, and other ethnic groups selling their wares, bartering and buying, and simply enjoying the market buzz. Expect color in the form of vibrant traditional costumes and scads of fresh produce.
The basics
Perched on a hillside, this Saturday-morning market is broken up into five terrace-like sections. Three are devoted to handicrafts, fresh produce, and local trinkets; two are for household wares. You’ll also find livestock—cattle and dogs, namely—and some food vendors. Thang Co, a traditional Hmong soup, is the go-to dish here.
As for the people, you’ll notice the Flower Hmong first thing—their traditional costumes are particularly colorful in bright pinks and reds. You’ll likely also notice the spectacular views, as the market is set in the pretty Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
Things to know before you go
Bartering is the name of the game here, for everything from produce to scarves.
This is an open-air experience—come prepared for rain or shine.
The market typically goes until the crowds dissipate, usually around 1 or 2pm.
How to get there
Many travelers will opt for a bus tour from Sapa to explore Can Cau Market—which makes sense, as the roads are a bit primitive and it’s a 3-hour drive. If you want to take it on by yourself (it is incredibly scenic), it’s about an hour north of Bac Ha via DT-153. It’s right off the road, so you can’t miss it.
When to get there
Can Cau Market opens early, after dawn on Saturday mornings. The market is typically busiest around 7am—if you want to have a peak Vietnamese market experience, come then (you’ll also get first dibs on any produce or wares). If you want to avoid the crowds and are mostly coming to window shop, wait until 9am or so for the crowds to dissipate.
How to decide between Bac Ha and Can Cau
If you’re deliberating between visiting the Bac Ha Market or Can Cau Market, know that you can’t really go wrong. Bac Ha is larger with more infrastructure—more wares to peruse, places to grab a drink and sit and relax—but Can Cau, set deep in the mountains and further from the stress of daily living, is surrounded by exquisite views.
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