For generations, the fair market has been the heartbeat of the highlands—a precious gift from the past. It began long ago when life was a struggle, serving as a rare chance for people to gather and trade their simple goods. While the modern world changes fast, the Meo Vac Fair Market remains beautifully untouched. It is more than just a place to shop; it’s a warm home where the spirit of the community and old traditions still shine bright.
Meo Vac Fair Market is considered one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Ha Giang. On market days, people from all corners, belonging to various ethnic groups, flock here. The market begins at the crack of dawn, when the fog hasn’t even lifted. Along the roads, people are already moving—some on motorbikes, but many on foot, sometimes the whole family going together.
Under the soft light of dawn, the rocky plateau comes alive in a way that is hard to put into words. Many locals walk for dozens of kilometers, starting their journey in the middle of the night from remote villages tucked deep inside the mountain valleys. They travel all this way just to reach the Meo Vac fair market.
They carry heavy baskets filled with their family’s precious produce—fresh vegetables, sturdy seedlings, or perhaps a small piglet or a few chickens to sell. In return, they bring home essential items for their houses and farms. But more than that, this market is a beautiful meeting place. It is where people gather to share stories, laugh together, and feel the warmth of friendship after a long, hard month of working in the fields.
What touches my heart the most is seeing the children. Their eyes sparkle with pure excitement, hoping for a small gift or a simple sweet treat from their parents. You might even see a tiny baby wrapped in a colorful cloth, sleeping peacefully on their mother’s back as she walks. It is such a quiet, warm moment that takes us back to the simple joys of our own childhoods.
When I first stepped into the Meo Vac fair market, especially during the busy days before the Lunar New Year, I was moved by how real it felt. It isn’t a “tourist attraction” built for show; it is an authentic, rustic, and vibrant piece of life. You don’t just watch the culture here—you feel it.
You absolutely cannot leave without visiting the food area. The air is thick with the wonderful smell of woodsmoke and the inviting aroma of traditional spices. You will see giant, steaming cauldrons of Thắng Cố (a hearty mountain stew) and smell the sweet, nutty scent of Mèn Mén (perfectly steamed ground corn).
The bún and phở here have a very distinct flavor, with rich broth, often made from local meats like black chicken or local pork. This pork phở is best enjoyed right in the heart of the market, while watching the early sunbeams pierce through the tarpaulin stalls, savoring the slightly chilly mountain air, and slowly enjoying a warm, comforting bowl of phở…
The Meo Vac fair market offers so much more than just a meal; it gives you the flavor of life, the resilience of the mountain people, and the warm, enduring spirit of the rocky plateau.
Your journey to the rocky plateau starts here.
There is a special kind of magic in Ha Giang that words can only begin to describe. We hope these stories inspire you to witness the vibrant colors and honest smiles of the Meo Vac Fair Market with your own eyes. It would be our true honor to accompany you on this adventure, sharing the hidden paths and heartfelt moments that make this land so unforgettable.
👉 Explore our Ha Giang tours and let’s create your own story together!
