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Bac Ha has one of
the most interesting ethnic markets
in Vietnam and possibly everywhere
in South East Asia: " Sunday is
market day in Bac Ha, which is the
occasion for the various local
ethnies to gather in huge crowds to
exchange the last news, gossip,
shop, and eat a copious lunch. It
was visibly a festive event. I was
surrounded in a sea of color, and
had the feeling to be on a movie
set. Everyone seemed excited. A few
men rode small horses. Those
fortunate enough to be able to pay
10000 dongs (75 cents) arrived at
the back of a motorcycle, sharing
the ride with two other passengers.
Most came on foot, from villages as
far as 20 kilometers away. Even the
old hunched lady was not going to
miss the weekly party. Although
there were several ethnies at the
market, the Flower Hmong women stood
apart with their vibrant dress. They
wear a number of skirts and
underskirts all made with very
colorful fabric and some batiks.
Their tops are embroided, often with
flower motifs, and their heads are
covered with elaborately shaped and
balanced scarfs. In the rapid global
uniformization of today's world, it
was refreshing to see this untouched
beauty in humanity...".
Visit to Sapa land scape.
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