Can Cau market

Can Cau market is one of Vietnam’s most fascinating open-air markets, an isolated market that takes place only on Saturday every week. This is a lovely local market that still retains the local quaintness and authenticity.

Can cau market information

Location : Can Cau Market is 30 minutes from Bac Ha (22km), nearly 3 hours from Lao Cai (90 km), and about 4 hours from Sapa (approx. 130km).

It’s a mecca for the local tribal people, including the Flower H’mong and Blue H’mong. It spills down a hillside with cook shacks on one level and livestock at the bottom of the valley, including plenty of dogs. Locals will implore you to drink the local rucu (corn moonshine) with them. The market is only open on Saturday. Some trips from Bac Ha include the option of an afternoon trek (for those still standing after ruou shots) to the nearby village of Phu La.

Can Cau Market is held on every Saturday from 6 hours until midday. Can Cau Market is a small but very colorful market. It is the place where you can encounter Flower H’mong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, and Nung minorities in colorful costumes. The Flower Hmong minority is the most common here, and their colorful dresses make it a beautiful sight.

Virtually every Saturday of the year, people of eight different ethnic minority hill tribes gather with their animals and agricultural products at Can Cau market. The vast majority of them travel there on foot, the same way they have done for hundreds of years. Because of the great diversity of tongues and cultures commonly found here, people generally communicate by sign language, so the market is eerily silent. The Can Cau market occupies five steeply terraced fields beside the road from Bac Ha to Si Ma Cai in the mountainous northwestern province of Lao Cai.

In the perfect light of the early morning, it is not only the colorful market and the people but also the beautiful surrounding nature that make the visit here an unforgettable trip, especially for nature lovers and photo hunters. The areas is close to China border and in a hidden place; less visitors come here. Horses, dogs, cats, pigs, and textiles… all on sale! This is the most amazing market you’ve ever seen.

Top Tours Including Can Cau Market

Sapa Trekking to Ethnic Markets and Villages 3 Days

Can Cau Market – Sapa Tour – 2 Days

Can Cau and Bac Ha Markets 2 days

Last updated: 2:53 PM , 08/05/2025

Dick Nguyen
11:20 - 01/09/2015

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