Sapa Travel: visit traditional markets

Can Cau or as it commonly known the Bac Ha Market though it is similar in many ways, both Can Cau and Bac Ha markets have something for you to discover while vacationing in Vietnam and specially in north-west and to the Sapa region. If you are juggling your Vietnam packages tours to northwest of Vietnam and be in this area on a Saturday (Can Cau) or Sunday (Bac Ha), which should you opt for?

The simple answer is: the markets are remarkably similar in many ways, both are predominately attended by flower H’mong and both sell a similar range of products, so if your timing only enables you to visit one, don’t worry that you are missing out the other – you’ll get a good experience whichever you visit. However some notable differences between the two may sway your decision and on a particular note, Can Cau is further from Lao Cai train station and Sapa, it’s around a 45 minute drive from Bac Ha, or just around three hours from Lao Cai. This is not such a big deal if you’re visiting the area on organized tours, but if you’re on the bus you’ll need to change in Bc Ha, and as the buses only run at 8am or 9am – information is sketchy that likely means an overnight stay.

In theory it’s possible to arrive by train from Hanoi in Lao Cai, catch the 6:30 bus to Bac Ha and still make it, the same bus back to Bac Ha from Can Cau at 2pm.

Practicalities aside, the setting of Can Cau market is truly magnificent. Not only does the drive there afford some breathtaking views along the Sapa valley – if you’re on a motorbike, it’s worth the drive there alone – but the market itself has a backdrop of tree-covered mountains and ethnic villages. Its shame there’s no café or bar there in which to while away a few hours. Although the view across the lake in Bac Ha is impressive, it doesn’t have quite the same effect.

Bac Ha vs Can Cau

Bac Ha market is of course bigger, however, we were surprised at how compact Can Cau market was compared with the sprawling mass of Bac Ha market, which seems to take over the town, So although the basic goods sold are the same – hardware, meat, vegetables, livestock, souvenirs – Bac Ha has a greater variety of produce on offer and can keep any tourist entertained for longer. Bac Ha also has more options for sitting and enjoying a coffee or a cold drink as a break from the market and although both have plenty of food stalls, if you prefer to sit in a chair and choose from a menu, Bac Ha is the place for you.

The livestock section is one of the main attractions of both markets, and although Bac Ha is livelier and more varied, we really liked this section at CAN Cau. We only saw cows and buffalo or sale – no squealing pigs or clacking chicken – but the setting is beautiful and at least five minutes can be spend watching the buffalo enjoy the mud bath. Song birds are also on sale in Can Cau market.

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Hamid writes articles and blogs in order to introduce travelers the real beauties of Vietnam and Indochina, plan for a Vietnam vacation packages and include beach, holidays, ancient sites, food, culture and more as that’s Vietnam and it has it all.

Holiday to Vietnam: Learn Cultures and traditions

When you plan your holiday to Vietnam and further to one of the mesmerizing Indochina destinations such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, you will surely want to experience some of the cultural aspects of each destination, as we don’t just travel to see the attractions of each city, we would like to combine each visit with activities such as cultural tours and or activities in order to get to know more about the destination we travel to. Vietnam is a country with unlimited tourist attractions, natural sites and beauties as well as colorful cultural festivals year round, one of the best destinations you would want to opt and include to your Vietnam packages tours would be Sapa, the region located in the northern peak of Vietnam close to the borders with China, the region is home to several ethic hill tribes that are living together in different area, some of the most known minorities includes Black H’mong, Red Dao, Tay minority, Xa Pho and Giay minority.

Once in Sapa, your exploration including Home-stay as this became very popular, trekking in different level and visiting small hamlets that allow you to meet with ethnic minorities that are living in different are throughout the region.

The cultural sightseeing in Vietnam is not shortlisted only in Sapa, when in Hani, you will have another great option to get to know the history of the 54 ethnic minorities that are living through Vietnam, the Hanoi museum of ethnology represents items that are showcasing the life, history and traditions of each tribal peoples, so, if you are into cultural matters then make sure to include it to your plan when travel to Vietnam.

Holidays to Vietnam are about culture and what better way to experience is through the Vietnam Lunar New Year also known as the TET holiday, this is the most important of all Vietnamese festivals and cultural traditions, the new year start in mid February and it last for a week, this would be a great time to travel to Vietnam as while you are in the country you will see how local people prepare for the largest and most important cultural tradition of Vietnam. However, traveling during this period may sounds interesting but it is highly advised to book your vacation well in a head of time as all of the hotels increases their room price, especially the beach front resorts in Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc and other places, Flights are also very easy to book, so, plan your vacation and once you fixed your date, then book your domestic flights ahead.

There are all sort of possibilities to see the country, whether you are craving for a first class luxury Vietnam vacation packages which is going to include a few days beach holiday, then do not forget to include your stay to visit some of the places mentioned above, Vietnam is a cultural society and you will have a lot of choices to explore the real value of country.

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