Go on this 2-day cultural Sapa package tour with a visit to Bac Ha Sunday Market for an in-depth journey into the very depths of Vietnamese culture. This tour will offer you a glimpse into the colorful, traditional beauty, breathless landscapes, and rich history that are waiting in these northern highlands. While this is just a tour, it’s the opportunity to experience the soul of Vietnam—connections among locals and their timeless traditions.
The Bac Ha Sunday Market is much more than a market; it’s a cultural pulse of the region that has served for centuries as the central hub of highland communities, wherein locals would come to exchange goods with news, and festivals, and cement social ties. A bustling weekly gathering shows how the hearty traditions of ethnic minorities are passed down here. You will be able to see more of this blending of local culture into common activities, like barter, food processing, and simple crafts while walking in this market.
Bac Ha Sunday Market
This must be one of the most outstanding things about Bac Ha Sunday Market the sheer amount of diversity it oozes out. This stunning display of local crafts is unique in its artistry, which has been passed from generation to generation. Handwoven textiles, intricate embroidery, and exquisite jewelry are among many other treasures one can stumble upon, each carrying an enriching tale to recount about the rich cultural heritage of the Highland tribes. It is also a paradise for gourmet food. Local specialties include thắng cố, a savory stew with horse meat, bánh đúc ngô, a corn cake, and phở chua, sour noodle soup the food journey into traditions here. The vibrant ethnic mosaic reinforces the special ambiance that prevails in the market through its different groups contributing their languages, customs, and their traditional dresses to this tapestry.
The Bac Ha Sunday Market is not just business; it is also the embodiment of community. It sums up all the highland spirits that have high regard for tradition, tight relations in the community, and bonding with the land. It is a place that forms a social center, where life’s rhythm is paced according to seasons and the needs of the community, and close-knit relationships come to the fore. You will see here that people meet, greet each other warmly, exchange news, and share meals all in all, reinforcing in their minds the market’s role as a very important part of their lives. So, visiting will not be a matter of observing yet another cultural event but attaining a role in the unfolding story of Bac Ha and bringing its unique heritage one step closer to being held together. This highland market is so much a part of highland life that the experience is timeless and vibrant, really offering a way to connect with the beauty and tradition of it.
14:00 – Departure from Hanoi:
The tour starts with an early morning pick-up from the iconic Hanoi Opera House. Relax on our comfortable, air-conditioned bus as we leave the busy city to venture into the quiet landscapes of northern Vietnam. Enjoy your beautiful drive past green fields, winding roads, and little villages.
18:00 – Arrival in Bac Ha:
Now you are in Bac Ha, a small, pleasant, and relaxed town tucked away in the highland of Lào Cai province, where cool mountain air and marvelous landscape greets you. We drive directly to your homestay in Flower Valley. From reception, you take a contemplative look around the peaceful landscape.
19:00 – Dinner and Cultural Performance:
Gather for dinner at the homestay with delicious local foods prepared with fresh, regional ingredients. Have dinner with traditional performances by the H’Mong: richest heritage of dance and songs will be perforated; an open window of the cultural rainbow of the highland.
21:00 – Free Time in Bac Ha:
You can take a leisurely evening walk around Bac Ha town after the show or just take it easy under the highland starry sky at the homestay.
22:00 – Overnight at Flower Valley Homestay:
Flower Valley Homestay
Refresh and relax in the coziness of the homestay, to take on a more challenging and adventurous day ahead.
05:30 – Early Morning Visit to Bac Ha Sunday Market:
An early rise shall bring you into the Bac Ha Sunday Market in full swing. The market explodes with color, sound, and smell from locals hailing from the surrounding villages to meet, socialize, trade goods, and celebrate very old customs. Stroll around stalls with hand-woven textiles, elaborate embroideries, and traditional jewelry, and each artifact there remains a treasure of cultural heritage. Don’t miss the food stalls selling the thắng cố, bánh đúc ngô, and phở chua specialties.
09:00 – Exploring Ethnic Diversity:
Wander around by getting engaged with the locals and learning their habits, languages, and traditional clothes, which make a comprehensive tapestry of the market with all kinds of ethnic groups: H’Mong, Tay, and Dao.
11:00 – Visit to the Livestock and Dog Markets:
Livestock and Dog Markets
Go to the crowded livestock trading point of the region, which deals with not only chickens and pigs but also buffaloes and horses. The one that stands out here is the Bac Ha dog market, the famous Bac Ha dog breed well-noted for its loyalty and intelligence.
12:00 – Free Time for Lunch and Shopping:
Use it as an opportunity to have lunch at one of the food stalls in the market, or amble through this bustling hub on your own. It is an excellent opportunity to finish up your souvenir and gift shopping from hand-loomed textiles to medicines from the traditional herbs that would remind you of the land you could call home with every use.
14:00 – Visit to Hoang A Tuong Palace:
Hoang A Tuong Palace
Ensuite, following the market, we visit the historic Hoang A Tuong Palace, inspired by the French and Chinese, offering interesting insights into Bac Ha’s colonial past. This is an ideal view if one wants to take good pictures. Explore its architecture and learn about this unique landmark’s history.
15:00 – Departure from Bac Ha:
We then drive back to Hanoi, leaving behind the serenity of the highlands, with indelible memories of Bac Ha.
21:00 – Arrival in Hanoi:
We return to Hanoi, where the trip will end. You will be dropped off at the original meeting point, and this will mark the farewell of this enriching cultural journey. Thank you for choosing a Sapa tour with Impress Travel. Hopefully, we’ll see you again on another journey!
Timing! Well, the Bac Ha Sunday Market is just that a weekly affair, held on, quite unsurprisingly, every Sunday. If you want to experience this market at best, the best time to visit the market should be very early in the morning, like 5:30 or 6:00 AM. By that time of the day, local people from surrounding villages and inhabitants would start arriving with merchandise. Early morning is also the best time to enjoy the cool, fresh air of the highlands, especially before the sun gets too warm. If you’re out for an authentic experience, this is the time when you will witness the market in full swing: the ethnic minorities wearing their colorful traditional costumes, the lively banter when bargaining takes place, and the aromas of local delicacies wafting from cooking.
Of course, if you are well-prepared, your chances of having the best experience on your Sapa Tours to the Bac Ha Sunday Market will be enhanced. Here is a quick checklist of essentials to pack:
The easiest way to enjoy the Bac Ha Sunday Market, however, is through interaction with the locals. There are ethnic minorities here who are very warm and proud of their heritage. Here are some tips on how you can make your interactions respectful and positive:
Regarding the cultural wealth of the highlands of Vietnam, Impress Travel is a trustworthy and experienced tour operator. Our Sapa Tours are tailor-made with activities that provide a realistic look and enriching experiences in the company of passionate experts who share the history, culture, and beauty that this incredible region holds. Our customers always compliment us on our attention to detail, knowledgeable guides, and making unforgettable memories, especially from a visit to the Bac Ha Sunday Market. We at Impress Travel believe in deeper connections with places you visit and offer unique experiences besides sightseeing. Let Impress Travel be your choice for your next Sapa Adventure and make your journey truly special.
Hanoi Head Office
Saigon Office
Sapa Tours will take you on an inspiring journey to the heart of Vietnam’s northern highlands with the most colorful Bac Ha Sunday Market. From the various colors of the market stalls to the ancient Hoang A Tuong Palace, this trip truly permeates your skin with the rich culture found here. With Impress Travel, you get to feel the authenticity and spontaneity of Bac Ha, providing unforgettable memories. This is an opportunity you do not want to miss. Take advantage by booking a tour today, and start an enriching adventure. You can email us at info@impresstravel.com with questions or reservations or log on to www.impresstravel.com. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Impress Travel for more interesting information about traveling Sapa to and to book Sapa Tours at the best prices.
Hotels in Sapa
Homestay in Sapa
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
Inclusion: Night train tickets, Tour guide, Transfer from Hanoi to Lao Cai station
Inclusion: Breakfast; lunch; dinner, Homestay in Ta Van, Entrance fee; Tour guide, Private air-conditioned vehicle pick up from Lao Cai train station to Sapa town
After breakfast, we keep the easy trekking through the rice terrace track to Giang Ta Chai village where is home of Red Dao people, and then to Su Pan village where the vehicle is awaiting for transferring back to Sapa town.
The afternoon time is free at leisure and explore Sapa town by self
Hotel overnight in Sapa town
Inclusion: Breakfast; Entrance fee; Tour guide, Private air-conditioned vehicle pick up from Su Phan village back to Sapa town, Hotel in Sapa
Inclusion: Breakfast; Entrance fee; Tour guide, Private air-conditioned vehicle pick up from Cat Cat village back to Sapa town and transfer to Lao Cai station and Night train tickets to Hanoi.
Impress Travel – Sapa tours offers classic and easy tours, trekking tours (easy trek, medium trek & hard trek) to discover the remote ethnic minority villages & adventurous tours to conquer Fansipan’s highest mountain peak or motorbike to travel around and mountain biking, market day tours, homestay with an ethnic family. For the most trusted and most saving for North Vietnam Tour Packages to explore Sapa Vietnam. Email: Sapatours@impresstravel.com & call to Mr. Alex Impress Travel Manager at his cell phone (+84) 9123 79 189
Contact us about any of our tours, or discuss your trip ideas, about Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar with Impress travel consultants. All replies asap and always within 24 hours.
