Tet market in Ha Giang rocky plateau

The year-end market session in Dong Van town (Dong Van district, Ha Giang) is as lively as a festival, filled with the colorful attire of the Dao, Hmong, Tay, Nung ethnic groups... Goods are also more abundant than usual.



Attending the market is an important activity in the daily life of ethnic minorities in the Ha Giang rocky plateau. Especially in the days leading up to Tet, various types of goods and agricultural produce are displayed and sold more abundantly. In Dong Van district, the market meets once a week on Sunday.



The market session is held on a large plot of land next to the old quarter in Dong Van town. The place most frequented by men in the market is the bird-selling area.


Many people who live far away have to leave from 3 a.m., crossing several mountains to arrive in time for the market. Mr. Giang Nhi Dinh from Thai Phin Tung commune led a black pig from his home to the market to sell.


Black pork is very delicious because it is free-range raised by the Hmong people, with each pig weighing only 30-40 kg. Near Tet, almost every family stocks up on some black pork to wrap cakes and prepare feasts.



By 8 a.m., the market is packed with people, and the roads leading to the center of the market are also crowded. Locals come to the market to buy farming tools.


Clothes and daily necessities are of greatest interest to women. Goods are mainly brought up from the lowlands, while a small portion of farming tools and seeds are produced and brought to sell by the locals.


Ethnic minority people often carry woven back baskets to hold goods. For the elderly, money is not kept in pockets but wrapped in a cloth pouch.


Ethnic minorities in the Ha Giang rocky highlands work hard every day, and families live whole hills or mountains apart. Therefore, meeting each other is very limited. The market session is an occasion for them to meet, share the joys and sorrows of life, and raise a glass of wine together.


Drinking wine at the market session is a custom of the Hmong people. After shopping, they often gather in a corner to meet and drink wine. Both women and young girls can drink.


A special feature of highland market sessions is that in addition to buying, selling, and trading goods, the market is also a place for people to socialize. Therefore, almost all family members eagerly wait for the market day to go down to the market together, also known as going to the market for fun. Many young couples also take this opportunity to express their affection.


Hmong youths play the khen and dance in the market session, to the warm cheers of the local people.


This year, many ethnic minority people in the Ha Giang rocky mountains celebrate a prosperous Tet as the weather was quite favorable for agricultural production. Therefore, when coming down to the market, everyone is happy and wearing their newest and finest clothes.