Visit the Saturday market of Can Cau and dive straight into the vibrant trade and commerce of local villagers.
Start your trip by travelling 70 kilometers to the northeast of Lao Cai. The drive is relatively relaxing during the first 50 kilometers or so, but soon you will turn your wheels toward the rural pathway and the ride gets slightly bumpy. Situated about 20 kilometers from Bac Ha, Can Cau is a small local market which takes place every Saturday. The vehicle is parked outside so you will have to take a short walk to the market. At the same time, you will be able to share the walk with local folks donned in colourful clothes making their way there as well. They usually travel by horses, bikes or on foot so feel free to say hi whenever they pass by. The market will then come into sight and you will make yourself into the crowded marketplace for a closer look at the local trade. Among its many other weekly market, Can Cau is especially known for its livestock. The community here loves to show just how important and precious their cattle and chickens are when it comes to their daily lives. Unsurprisingly, you will also find dogs being sold for adoption here. Can Cau Market has at least 8 different minority tribes carrying out their daily trades side by side. Most of them are from the Hmong tribe, especially the Flower Hmong and Blue Hmong. However, there are numerous other tribes as well such as the Nung or Phu La sharing the space together. The colorful traditional costumes make the market all the more lively and vibrant than what it already is. Occasionally, you may also catch a waft of delightful grilled meat being freshly cooked nearby.
The whole morning of your market visit will be spent exploring the entire marketplace and by noon, your tummy will be rumbling for lunch. When this happens, you will have lunch at a local restaurant and take a short break before continuing your way downhill toward Trung Do Village. Along the way, enjoy the view of beautiful rice terraces, stunning waterfalls and the architectural marvel of local stilted houses. The beauty of Trung Do lies in the small details and coming to the village, you will have the chance to witness the domestic hydraulic rice mortars and other manufacturing processes used by local experts. Inhabited mostly by the Tay, you will get to visit their stilted houses and learn more about their culture, custom and every day routine. If you come and visit during the festive season, there will also be music and other seasonal festivity going on that you can definitely try out. Before bidding goodbye to the village, you will also take a look at Trung Do Temple - a temple filled with historical imprints from the Le-Mac dynasty which has been recognized as a national, cultural and historical heritage. Next, take a boat ride on Song Chay river and enjoy the full view of the beautiful landscape and villages. If the level of water is too low, you will cross the Song Chay river to visit the home of the Flower Hmong. Their colorful patterns on the dress is the origin of their name and during your visit, you will also get to learn more about the religion of the Flower Hmong. Leaving the village behind, your trip ends at Bao Nhai bridge, where a can will pick you up.
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Refer to the map below to see a list of pick up location(s) that are available for you to choose from. You can select your desired pick up location when you book the tour.
List of Location(s):
Pick up is also available for other location(s) under the vicinity of Sa Pa. For more information, please contact Adventoro's concierge service.
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