These aren't town and city markets with meat and veggies for sale — these are genuine country markets, with livestock trading and myriad handcrafted homewares and souvenir stalls.
Minorities living high in the hills walk hours on end to get here just to pick up a new plough-head or a wooden saddle. They are also social centres for clans living in disparate circumstances and the scenes on display are like something out of National Geographic.
The markets in the western part of the province, in and around Bac Ha, can be visited on daytrips from Sapa — expect to pay around $15 — but it's a long time on the bus, so we highly recommend visiting those out of Lao Cai, or better yet, Bac Ha.
One worthwhile market that is more convenient from Sapa is the Sunday Muong Hum Market, 30 kilometres to the northwest. On our last visit the roads were under construction and dangerous, but once the work's done it'll be worth a visit.
The best ways to enjoy the scenery in Ninh Binh is to take a boat trip. The main kicking off points for boat trips are Tam Coc and Trang An or Thung Nham, although...
Cuc Phuong National Park is Vietnam’s largest national park and one of the most important sites for biodiversity in the country. Trekking Cuc Phuong National Park is a...
Tao Dan Park is a true oasis nestled in the hustle and bustle of Saigon. This is where parents bring children to play, where couples stroll on dates and where workers enjoy...
You’ll find this Buddhist temple on a little island off the road separating the West Lake. The scenery is not only stunning, but the peace and quiet is a stark contrast...
Sapa with its mountainous picturesque landscapes and numerous of wonderful attractions is the ideal place for trekking lovers. So trekking is one of the most popular...
We discovered the mosaic wall from our taxi, zipping along the Yen Phu major roadway. It was a patchwork quilt of ceramic tiles creating little scenes, both from history and...
Halong Bay is said to be one of the best place to swim in Vietnam with numerous beaches. The bay is not only an ideal place for sunbathing with dazzling sunlight, but also a...
A visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels is one of those things that every tourist typically does. While I’m glad I saw it, I can’t say it was enjoyable. Educational, yes,...
When travelling to Sapa you’ll be faced with an array of treks to choose from and one decision you’ll need to make is whether to do a trek that includes a...
A visit to the FITO museum is quite the experience. In this ornate house, you’ll be guided floor by floor and learn all about the traditional methods used to treat...
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