Published:  01:42 Friday - January 31, 2014

Can Cau Market, in Si Ma Cai District, Lao Cai Province, is locally famous for preserving the cultural identities of several ethnic minority groups.

The market opens in an empty land lot in Can Cau Commune, Si Ma Cai District of Lao Cai Province

Even though this is a Mong Hoa and Giay market, their way of trading is like that of Dao ethnic minority people.

This highlands market demonstrates the lifestyle of ethnic minority groups that have been maintained for hundreds of years.

Visitors to the year-end market often buy their daily tools like new knives or sharp ploughshares but they do not forget to have a drink with their husbands or wives as well as friends. This is also a time for gossip.

There are different areas for farm produce, traditional clothes, and cattle


Man selecting a long dress for his daughter


Sleeping after drinking

Male and children at open air hair salons

Mong Hoa ethnic people sell incense at the market

A Mong man buys new plough accessories


Area for cattle

A Mong woman at the market

A Mong mother feeding her child at the market’s food area

Young Mong men buy new blankets in preparation for upcoming weddings




Looking at buffalo’ bell


Dried chilli a favourite spice of ethnic minority people

Traditional hand-made long dresses

By: dtinews