+84 974 265 162

vndiscoverytours@gmail.com

Can Cau market, a sea of brocade, nightingales and even horse meat

 Can Cau market, a sea of brocade, nightingales and even horse meat

The Can Cau market is not as spacious as the markets found in Sa Pa Town or Bac Ha District, but it attracts people from all over due to the cultural diversity of the ethnic groups residing in the border region of Si Ma Cai District.
 
The Can Cau market in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai is located some 80 kilometres from Lao Cai City, and is only a small bazaar, with the tents erected only on market day, which falls on every Saturday.
 
It has captivated numerous tourists because of the existing folklore in the area and the uniqueness of the local residents.
 
The market day starts from early morning, so when we arrived at 7am, it was already very crowded.
 
We could even see some beautiful scenery of green fields wet with early dew and a few rooftops hidden under the far away forest cover.
The market is divided into different sections that can be easily recognised. The nightingale market is located separately. This area is dedicated to bird enthusiasts, and although it is perched on a faraway hill, it is quite busy, with many buyers and sellers.
 
During the fair, hundreds of young men from the villages around the region carry their nightingale cages to the market for sale.
 
In the early morning mist of this borderland region, the bird market stands out on the hill next to the buffalo market.
 
The bird cages are covered with a colourful cloth hung on tree branches around the hill. Young men from different ethnic groups, including the Mong, Dao and Giay, as well as the Kinh majority from the low lands care passionately for their robins, talking about the experience of taking care of and training birds.
 
Giang Seo Van, who lives in Si Ma Cai District, had already bought a nightingale. He said he usually attended all market days.
 
"Even if I do not buy or sell birds, I come here to meet people who have the same hobby, go sightseeing, and hear the nightingales singing," he said.
 
He also revealed that the price of a nightingale depended on its singing voice and ranged from VND100,000 to more than VND1 million (US$40).
 
"While visiting Can Cau, travellers should not forget to visit the bird market," he said with a broad smile.
 
Many different birds are sold at the market, including nightingales and robins.
 
Each species has its own beauty; some are beloved because they have a nice appearance, such as a canary or a jenny wren. Others have been selected because of their good singing voice, such as odors and robins.
 
Cattle sellers
 
The market sells different items, from vegetables, herbs, and spices, to household appliances, but another interesting section is the nook where cattle, mainly buffalo, are sold. This is a bustling spot as the buffalos are brought by people from all over to be sold to numerous traders from other provinces. The local residents often use cattle for farming, so the animals for sale must be the strongest ones.
 
After trading, both the seller and the buyer invite each other to share some food.
 
Another busy and interesting section of the market, which also attracts many people, is the cuisine area. This is where the people from remote villages meet and enjoy thang co together. This is a special dish cooked by the Mong people from horse meat and the animal's insides.
 
Many visitors stop by to try a bowl of hot horse meat, fragrant with lemon leaves, and horse bone broth, or sip a cup of maize wine and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the market.
 
The fair is also used for selling agricultural products, such as cucumbers, peppers and onions, as well as farming tools, such as knives and hoes – products that are simple, but have immense practical use in the local residents' lives.
 
Tired after exploring the market, my friends and I headed to the dining area to enjoy sour noodle soup and some cups of home-brew wine.
 
"Given its unique culture, the Can Cau market is not only a major attraction for the locals, but also visitors from other parts of the country, who are lured by the vibrant colours of the traditional costumes of the Mong women, the brocade stalls, and especially the delicious aroma of the local cuisine," said Nguyen Tuyet Nhung, a tourist from Ha Noi.
 
 
Source: VNS

Bài viết liên quan

Summary of Deputy Minister at seminar “Managing world cultural and natural heritage in Vietnam
Informing a summary No.2624/TB-BVHTTDL of Deputy Minister Dang Thi Bich Lien at the seminar “Managing  world cultural and natural heritage in Vietnam".  
Quang Binh finding investors for major tourism projects
Quang Binh Province on the central coast is looking for domestic and foreign investors to develop around 35 major commercial and tourism projects with combined capital of more than VND23.4 trillion (over US$1 billion).  
Ha Noi celebrates the 55th anniversary of Viet Nam tourism industry
(TITC) – On July 6, 2015, the Ha Noi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a conference to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Viet Nam tourism industry and implement plan of the last 6 months of 2015 and Resolution No.92/NQ-CP to develop Viet Nam Tourism in the new period.  
Choir Festival to celebrate August Revolution
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has organized the Choir Festival 2015 as part of cultural activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of August Revolution (August 19, 1945) and National Day (September 2).    
Hanoi’s leading tourism sites honoured with national award
Ha Noi’s Temple of Literature, Vietnamese Women’s Museum and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology have been named among the five leading tourism sites in the country, according to the organisation board of Vietnam Tourism Award 2014.  
Christian Bourgoignie awarded medal for culture & tourism cause
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented the medal "For the Cause of Culture, Sports and Tourism" to Christian Bourgoignie, head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation, July 09.    
Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2015 officially opens
Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2015 officially opened at 2-4 Square, Nha Trang City on July 11.  
Opening Southern Don Ca Tai Tu Festival
The 2015 Southern Don Ca Tai Tu (traditional musical art form of the south) Festival was organized in HCM city on July 11.  
Magical Cham Island
Far from Cua Dai beach about 15 kilometers, Cham is one of the places still remained original characters where visitors can not miss when travelling to Hoi An.  
Hoi An, a new destination for Western retirees
Hoi An has become over the last few years a very popular destination for Western retirees to relocate.  

Most popurlar tours

Video

Day & Short Tours