In Vietnam, if Hanoians are proud to have Dong Xuan Market, Saigonese are proud to have Ben Thanh Market, then the Mong and the Giay people – minority groups, are proud to have Can Cau Market, located in Lao Cai province, near Sapa.
One of the must-visit destinations of remote-area travelers is Bac Ha Market. Yet only a mere minority of them can recognize the existence of another long-standing market which only held on Saturday – the Can Cau Market of the Mong and the Giay people.
Can Cau Market is situated in Can Cau Commune, Si Ma Cai District, Lao Cai Province. Approximately 100km to the northeast of Lao Cai’s center, Can Cau Market still be it as it may, not being commercialized or modernized, but it originated from the lifestyle of residents here hundreds of years before now and then. This helps maintain its own ethnic character and exclusive perspective, posing such strangely unforgettable feelings and memories to any visitors who come here for the first time.
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History of Can Cau Market
No one knows exactly the time when nor how the Can Cau Market was established, but some people said that this market was initially formed during the Vietnam-China Border War in 1979. In fact, the inhabitants here shared a different point. Though they are not certain, it was said among the people that Can Cau Market has been active for such a long time, only born after Bac Ha Market a few years.
In the first place, this spot was simply a blank space, then some people came up with an idea to make use of it as a product-retailing series. Everyone started to gather here more and more. Who raised buffaloes offered buffaloes, made garments, and sold clothing products,.. and gradually it became a lively real market which is Can Cau Market as we currently identify it.
What to Buy in Can Cau Market
Traditionally, the fair is organized by the Mong and the Giay people yet operated the same as the Dao people’s business structure. No matter if it’s a holiday or harsh weather conditions, Can Cau Market is regularly open every Saturday morning every week.
Can Cau Market cover an area of more than 1 hectare. It is divided into two particular areas of Can Cau Market: the local product area and the cattle area. All kinds of goods are presented in their most fresh and wholesome condition.
Local Products
The entire precinct generally looks like five fertile terraced fields. Three of them are colorfully filled with handcrafted commodities and local specialties such as brocades, herbs, vegetables, and embroideries,.. while the other two are available with household appliances in daily life like flashlights, brushes, pans,.. or popular foods (corn liquor, green rice,..).
Livestock
Furthermore, other than the above five trading areas, cattle may be the most significant, drawing attention from not only people living here but also outsiders and visitors from other sites.
Considering the Mong and the Giay people’s lives, cattle (especially buffalo) are regarded as an indispensable part of their livelihood making due to the limit in the manual labor of farming. Thus, coming to the fair, they always expect to purchase the best livestock specimens with the purpose of increasing their labor productivity.
There are also other more familiar cattle selling at Can Cau Market such as poultry and dogs which has created the goods’ variety, offering consumers more possible choices.
What to Eat in Can Cau Market
Among different aspects that reflect the distinct lifestyle of ethnic groups in Vietnam, food in Can Cau Market is probably one of those things that you should not miss out on after traveling such a long way to get here.
The food area in Can Cau Market, where residents here enjoy gathering the most, serves traditional cuisines such as Pho, Bun, Xoi, corn-bread, etc., and Thang Co, which may be the main dish features the eating custom of the Mong and the Giay people. Thang Co is a combination soup of viscera taken from typical livestock such as horses. Whoever has tried this special dish will never forget its taste so do not hesitate to give it a try at least one time when you travel here.
How to Get to Can Cau Market
To get to Can Cau Market, you should take Lao Cai Province as the starting spot, then head straight forward to Highway 4D until reach Phong Nien Commune, Bao Thang District, and continue to follow the Provincial Highway 153 to get to Bac Ha District. From here, Can Cau Market is 18km further in distance.
Otherwise, booking a tour to go to the expected places is way more convenient than traveling by yourself. There will be a specific series of tours that help you go to Can Cau Market with reasonable prices ranging from $ 150 to
200/ person.
Tips on Visiting Can Cau Market
- The fair will only open until late afternoon, so remember to check your itinerary or tour schedule before departing so as to not be late for participating in it.
- Bring along proper clothing depending on each season since Can Cau Market is located in a highland area and its temperature is typically higher or lower than normal.
- In case you do not travel by tour, get a guide when you arrive in Lao Cai Province so that you will not be confused by sinuous mountain paths or the ethnic language that residents here habitually utilize.
- Out of myriad fairs rising day by day, Can Cau Market still can’t be mistaken with any other kind of market. Once you get here and experience a different lifestyle and a different living context, you will not easily forget how special people living in mountainous areas are.
