Vibrant Traditions and Natural Beauty: A Travel Guide to Bac Ha, Vietnam

Bac Ha is located in the Lao Cai Province of northern Vietnam, near the border with China. If you love going “off the beaten path”, this is the perfect place for you to visit for 3 days and 2 nights. Explore these offbeat places with our Vietnam travel packages.

Bac Ha in Vietnam is situated around 6 hours from Hanoi. It’s characterised by its diverse ethnic communities, including the Flower Hmong, Phu La, Tay, Nung, and others. The Flower Hmong people are particularly recognised for their colourful traditional clothing. Bac Ha Vietnam is also surrounded by amazing landscapes and terraced rice fields, making it a popular destination for trekking and exploring the local culture. Let’s dive into the Bac Ha Vietnam travel guide and check more details about the places to visit in Vietnam. 

Best Time to Visit Bac Ha

The best time to travel to Bac Ha is in spring (February – April) and winter (November – January). Be careful if you travel to this district in summers since heavy rains may affect your trip. While planning your trip, you can go through the best time to visit Vietnam.

How to reach Bac Ha 

There are 18 buses every day to reach Bac Ha in Vietnam. By train: You buy train tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai which depart at about 8-9 pm from Hanoi and arrive in Lao Cai at 5 am. Then, from Lao Cai, you can catch a bus to Bac Ha from Lao Cai Bus Station at 7 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm. Tickets are about VND 50,000 dong.

Places to visit in Bac Ha

There are so many places to visit in Bac Ha Vietnam, like:

• Fairy Cave

The pristine beauty of the Fairy Cave is a nature lover’s paradise. The cool blue waters of the river surrounded by cavernous rocks seem to be a scene right from picture books.

The imposing rocks of this destination give way to gentle waters to flow over them, creating a scenic waterfall. The caves in themselves are quiet, with their unique cuts and designed by the very movement of water it facilitates. The rock formations here are a point that catches the visitor’s hearts.

• Hoang Tuong

Hoang Tuong is a destination with a rich and illustrious history attached to itself. The owner of this palace was a Tay person by the name of Hoang Yen Chao. Reflecting the essence of French and Chinese architecture, this palace is a big tourist spot. As per Bac Ha Information and Facts, this is one of the  most loved tourist places.

Located on the outskirts of Bac Ha, this palace is a live example of French Colonial architecture with Chinese reflections as well. The inside of the house is a labyrinth of intricately embellished pillars, decorated walls and foyers which were centres for familial activities. The building is a two-storey structure and the view from the top is endearing. This imposing structure, with its long corridors, is an adventure built for the modern time traveller looking to take a sneak peek into the days bygone.

So, what are the places to visit near Bac Ha?

There are various places near visit in Bac Ha, like:

• Sapa

Situated atop the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, Sapa is a town in northwest Vietnam overlooking the terraced rice fields of Muong Hoa Valley. Sapa’s top trekking destinations are Dragon Jaw Mountain and Heaven’s Gate, featuring colourful flower beds, waterfalls, tropical foliage, natural rock formations and man-made stone monuments. It is near Bac Ha Vietnam.

For those who do not enjoy climbing, cable car trips offer panoramic views of rice terraces. Hill tribes like the Hmong, Tay and Dao comprise Sapa’s local population. 

• Hanoi

It is located on the banks of the Red River in Northern Vietnam, Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital and one of the world’s most ancient cities. The place consists of golden pagodas, unique museums, mouthwatering cuisine, entertainment destinations, and traditional bazaars. Hanoi is a melting pot of French, Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures.
The tourist attractions in Hanoi are divided into two main areas – 

• The Old Quarter – It is is north of Hoan Kiem Lake
• French Quarter–  It is is south of Hoan Kiem Lake

What Are The Things to Do in Bac Ha Vietnam ?

There are so many things to do in Bac Ha like:

• Bac Ha Sunday Market
• Can Cau Market
• Vua Meo
• Coc Ly Market 
• Lung Phin Market
• Sin Cheng Market
• Hoang Thu Pho Waterfall

Bac Ha Sunday Market:

The Sunday Market at Bac Ha is among the major tourist places near visit in Bac Ha draws of Northwestern Vietnam, particularly if SaPa is a part of your itinerary among other things to do in Vietnam. The rural beauty of Bac Ha is a beautiful mix of various ethnic groups that call Vietnam home. It is the capital of the Flower Hmong region and is most famous for this display of ethnic and daily household wares.

The region of Bac Ha is a mix of activities on Saturday evenings when the weekly market comes to life, and this celebration of Vietnamese culture continues on Sunday as well. From designed handmade traditional clothing to delicious local cuisine, all the essentials of this vibrant culture find a place here. You can interact with the locals and learn about their culture and lifestyle, which is a mesmerising experience in its own right. Popular items that you can buy from here include different textiles, saddles for horses, bags, cushions, figurines and other handcrafted items.

Where to do shopping in Bac Ha?

• Bac Ha Fair

Bac Ha Fair, takes place every Sunday from 04.30 a.m. until 05.00 p.m. It is one of the markets in Bac Ha you should not miss. This fair is not only the largest in Bac Ha but also in the Northwest area as well.  Shopping here is one of the things to do in Bac Ha.

The market has four areas: the cattle and poultry trading area, an area for selling groceries, a place selling brocade, jewellery, wool, and a food area with Lao Cai specialties. Walking around the fair, you can find agricultural products. 

You can see many large and small stalls right from the entrance selling colourful hand-embroidered bags, purses, towels, hats, and dresses. These products are souvenirs you can buy to bring home while shopping in Vietnam. Let’s visit the fair and immerse yourself in the crowded atmosphere here. 

Address: Bac Ha Town, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province

• Coc Ly Fair

Coc Ly Fair, held every Tuesday, is also among the outstanding markets in Bac Ha. The fair is surrounded by the Chay River and the majestic mountains. Though, Coc Ly Fair is not as large as the Bac Ha Fair, it is extremely meaningful to the Mong Hoa, Black Dao, and Nung people here. 

You can catch up with the local people in their traditional costumes when coming to the fair. Like other markets in Bac Ha, Coc Ly Fair is also divided into different areas: Bac Ha specialties and local agricultural products, housewares or jewellery, brocade products, cattle, and poultry. Let’s walk around the market and visit the featured areas below.

Address: Coc Ly Commune, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam

• Lung Phinh Fair

It is located about 10 km from Bac Ha Town’s centre, Lung Phinh Fair, taking place every Friday, is also among the markets in Bac Ha you should not miss. The Giay, Phu La, and Mong people meet at this fair and exchange goods. 

Besides local people in Bac Ha, Lung Phinh Fair is a familiar market for people in the neighbouring districts, such as Si Ma Cai and Xin Man (Ha Giang). The market is divided into Vietnamese food, ethnic wine zones, livestock and poultry areas, and selling vegetables, cardamom, brocade products, and other items.

Address: Lung Phinh Commune, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam.

Nightlife in Bac Ha

Besides Vietnam nightlife, when it comes to Sapa’s nightlife activities there are not many options. However, here are few suggestions where you can enjoy nightlife in Bac Ha :

• Saturday Night- Love Market

If you are luckily on a weekend tour, get here on Saturday night, then you can join in one of the most unique and romantic occasions in mountainous areas of Vietnam- Love Market. You will love to roam in the market at night time.

• Cau May Walking Street

When there is an evening time or night time then it means it’s the best time to have a stroll. If Hanoi has walking streets on which no vehicles are allowed to go inside at the weekend, Sapa has Cau May walking streets. 

Places to Stay in Bac Ha 

• Huy Trung Homestay

It is very nice and quiet. There are 4 private rooms (Especially with a wooden family room, very spacious clay walls with nice views and a small pool.) and spacious garden areas.

Location– Na Quang 3, Bac Ha Vietnam

• Bac Ha Boutique

It is located in the heart of Bac Ha town. It offers all service from local people and all amenities useful for travellers. Top features of the homestay include free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage

Location– Na Co, Bac Ha 331000 Vietnam

• Ngan Nga Bac Ha Hotel

It is an excellent choice for travellers visiting Bac Ha, offering a budget friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.

The rooms offer a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a fireplace, and getting online is possible, as free wifi is available, allowing you to rest and refresh with ease.

Location– 115-117 Ngoc Uyen Bac Ha 6, Bac Ha Vietnam

• Bac Ha Charm Stay

It is one of the amazing places to plan your stay as it is quiet and will keep you mid stay relaxed and calm.

Location–To Dan Pho Nam Cay, Bac Ha 330000 Vietnam

Suggested Read: Top Restaurants in Vietnam

Conclusion

To conclude with, Bac Ha in Vietnam is not just a place, it’s an experience that immerses you in the vibrant tapestry of Vietnamese culture. From the vibrant markets with colourful textiles and ethnic crafts to the verdant landscapes of big rice fields and misty mountains. The place offers a glimpse into the rich heritage and natural beauty of northern Vietnam. 

Don’t miss to check Vietnam Travel tips, whether you’re looking to explore the traditions of the local ethnic communities or seeking adventure amidst breathtaking scenery, or simply looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, Bac Ha has something to offer every traveller. So! Hurry up and pack your bags today and start on a journey. Bac Ha will leave its magic on you, and you will be bringing a lot of memories with you.