After enjoying a hearty breakfast in Sapa, we begin our tour to Lao Cai. For optimal performance throughout the trip, we recommend using Honda motorbikes with engines ranging from 125cc to 150cc, ensuring your bike is well-serviced for the long journey ahead. From Lao Cai, we travel along Highway 4D to reach Phong Nien commune in Bao Thang District. Continuing along provincial road 153, we pass through Bac Ha Town to reach our first destination, Can Cau Market, located in Can Cau commune, nearly 100 km northeast of Lao Cai.

Nestled in the mountains, 9 km south of the Chinese border, Can Cau Market is renowned as one of the most fascinating open-air markets in Sapa, specializing in livestock and local cuisine. From a distance, you will be treated to the breathtaking view of Can Cau Market, surrounded by terraced fields clinging to the mountainside, with the outlines of majestic mountains painting a picturesque horizon.

As you enter the market, you will be captivated by the colorful costumes of the local Hmong people and the diverse array of goods offered by both indigenous and Chinese traders. The market is divided into zones for various items such as vegetables, utensils, brocade products, and livestock, including cattle and poultry. A sense of coziness pervades the market as people gather in tents, with smoke rising, the sound of chopsticks clattering, and the enticing aroma of food filling the air. You’ll be tempted by the local dishes and beverages, particularly Thang Co, a must-try dish made from various organs of pigs, cows, or buffaloes, seasoned with herbs like lemongrass, ginger, and bouquet garni.

After exploring Can Cau Market, we will return to Bac Ha to check in at the hotel and enjoy supper.

Summary:

Distance: 135 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

We begin the second day of our Sapa motorbike tour with an early morning visit to Bac Ha market. Bac Ha, located in the northeastern district of Lao Cai province, is home to a variety of ethnic groups including H’Mong, Kinh, Dao, Tay, Nung, Phu La, and Hoa, each contributing to the area’s rich cultural diversity. The weather here is cool and slightly misty, perfect for enjoying a barbecue. Before reaching the market, we’ll stop at a small, cozy restaurant to sample some local barbecue.

Historically, Bac Ha market was situated on the ground near the foothill, but it has since been upgraded. The market is now divided into sections for specific products. Here, you can find everything from household items like pots and shovels to clothing, herbs, precious medicines, and livestock such as cows and buffaloes. One of the most fascinating sections is the hand-embroidered brocade stalls, where the skill and craftsmanship of ethnic women are showcased in meticulously crafted brocade products that take months to complete.

After exploring the market and sampling local foods and drinks, we will head to Bac Ha Temple. Located in the district center, the temple boasts a magnificent, sacred, and ancient appearance, complemented by the charming mountain scenery. On October 29, 2003, Bac Ha Temple was designated a National Cultural and Historical Relic. Its annual festival on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month commemorates the death of the hero Gia Quoc Cong Van Mat Vu. The festival features various activities such as arts performances, tug of war, Chinese chess, folk games, cockfighting, and dancing.

Leaving Bac Ha, a place rich in traditional culture and values of the Northwest highland ethnic groups, we head to Lao Cai station to return to Hanoi, concluding our Sapa motorbike tour.

Summary:

Distance: 100 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch