Feast for the Eyes - Bac Ha Market, Vietnam
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Except for the few women selling purses at the entrance, most of the other people ignored the tourists and focused on the task at hand: buying, selling, and trading goods. This is a weekly market, so there's much to accomplish in one day. Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Most of the women at Bac Ha market are from the Flower Hmong ethnic group. As seen in this photo, they dress in colorful head scarves and beautifully embroidered skirts and tops. Since it is wintertime, they wear an additional, velvet-like fabric on top.These women choose sugar cane stalks while their sons wait quietly to get a piece to chew on as a reward for their patience. Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
An example of the intricate and brightly colored embroidered skirts, aprons and purses worn by the Flower Hmong women. Galoshes are necessary for the muddy paths they walk along to get to and from their villages. Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
This woman eyes a better stalk of sugar cane at the Bac Ha Market.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Notice how even the carrying bag for the baby is embroidered with the same care and bright designs as the rest of their clothing. Babies are remarkably well-behaved - we don't remember hearing any crying.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
We were told men no longer wear traditional clothes like the women because it's more practical now to wear modern clothes for their work in the fields and around the house.The contrast between modern and traditional marks this photo of a man and woman purchasing incense.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Sellers find a patch of dirt to sell jugs of something....never quite figured out what though. Maybe rice wine? Gasoline? (taste about the same)The women carry the jugs from village to market (and back) in basket backpacks.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Women bring their goods to the Bac Ha Market.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
A Black Hmong woman and child take a moment at Bac Ha Market outside of Sapa in Northern Vietnam.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
This little girl gets a sugar cane treat from her mother. Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Women buy brightly dyed yarns for making head scarves, leggings, and skirts.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Flower Hmong yarn vendor at Bac Ha Market.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
A young girl, wrapped from head to toe in embroidery, walks with her mother through the Bac Ha Market.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Previously, we figured that each woman embroidered her own skirt. But the brisk trade at the market in embroidered skirts between women of the same ethnic group (i.e., these were not intended for tourists to buy) told us otherwise.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
We couldn't keep our eyes off the bright color combinations and delicate embroidery that adorned every woman at the market. It was a multi-color feast for the eyes.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
A Flower Hmong woman evaluating a new skirt for size, color, design and price. Some things are the same the world over.Previously, we figured that each woman embroidered her own skirt. But the brisk trade at the market in embroidered skirts between women of the same ethnic group (i.e., these were not intended for tourists to buy) told us otherwise.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
This vendor sells chilies to warm the belly during the cold winter months in northern Vietnam.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
After the fruits, vegetables, clothing and household goods, we came across the animal trading section of the market.Unfortunately, we don't think this puppy is being sold to be a faithful companion....but more a lucky dinner sometime in the future. Dogmeat is considered good luck for business if eaten in the first two weeks of the month (or at least, that's what one of our guides told us).Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Horse trading to us means a hard bargain. At this market, it really means buying and selling horses. All manner of 4-legged animals were on offer, including water buffaloes, pigs, dogs and cows. Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
With buying and selling finished for another Sunday, these women ready themselves for the trek home. If a woman has some extra money, she'll hire a motorbike to take her home. Otherwise, it's many hours along along dirt paths as night descends.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
An embroidered skirt hangs to dry in a village a few kilometers from Bac Ha. The houses were simple traditional wooden structures, but the recent introduction of electricity meant that the prized possession of the house - a TV - was connected to a satellite dish on the roof. A strange and anachronous visual combination - huts with sattelite dishes attached - can be seen throughout Southeast Asia.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
As you can probably tell from the heavy clothing, it's cold in the mountains. The persistent fog and dampness drives it to the bone.Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
