Meo Vac Sunday Market: A Must Visit in Ha Giang

Where is Meo Vac Market 

Meo Vac Market is a weekly Sunday market held in the town of Meo Vac in the province of Ha Giang. This vibrant market provides a fascinating glimpse into local life, with ethnic minorities trading everything from fresh produce to traditional medicine. 

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Meo Vac Market is a must-see for any visitor to the Ha Giang region.

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Exploring Meo Vac Market 

The Meo Vac Market in Ha Giang is a captivating place that offers visitors a glimpse into the culture and lifestyle of the ethnic minorities. For those doing the Ha Giang Loop, a visit to the Sunday market is a must. From the vibrant stalls to the locals haggling for goods, the atmosphere is alive and bustling.

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Read: Ha Giang Loop 4 Day Itinerary

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What You'll Find at the Market 

There are three main areas of the Meo Vac Market: the cattle market, the indoor market, and the outdoor market. 

Cattle Market

One of the most incredible scenes in the Meo Vac Market is located in the northern part. Here, you will find hundreds of cattle filling a large square where the locals show off and trade their animals. 

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The Meo Vac cattle market is teeming with life, and the atmosphere is filled with excitement and a sense of competition.

Locals start walking their cattle to the market at 5am, while some load them into trucks. The Sunday market is an ethnic cultural event in which women dress in colorful ethnic attire and men dress in traditional black clothes.

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A lively hum of voices, the smell of animal dung, and the sound of cows mooing create a unique atmosphere. Apart from the cattle, you will also find other animals being sold, including pigs, goats, dogs, and rabbits.

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Indoor Market

The main part of the indoor market is the food hall, which serves traditional food. The main hall can be a bit smokey due to the many open fires from the small food stalls. 

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You will find plenty of unique local dishes, including Thang Co, a soup made of horse meat. However, due to the increased cost and scarcity of horse meat, buffalo and cow meat are becoming increasingly popular substitutes in traditional Thang Co dishes. 

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Another popular dish is the traditional bowl of noodle soup topped with chicken or beef. You will also find women selling multicolored sticky rice from bamboo baskets.

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The rest of the indoor market consists of many things, from stalls selling fruits and vegetables to traditional clothes and incense sticks.  

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Outdoor Market

Outside the main market, the surrounding streets are filled with stalls selling an array of goods. You'll find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to many kinds of herbs and spices making it one of the most vibrant weekly markets in all of Vietnam.

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Apart from the fresh produce, you will also see household products such as bamboo pipes used for smoking tobacco and broomsticks. Other unique items to look for are the traditional medicines that locals lay out on their mats. 

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These items are unique to this market and showcase the diversity of goods available in the area. You can explore the different stalls and discover new products that you have never seen before. 

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A group of women selling and trading rice wine in a circle was one of the most interesting things we saw. It was incredible to see the sampling of local wine accompanied by laughter and a sense of camaraderie filling the air. 

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Women can also be found repairing everything from clothes to shoes on their sewing machines. This is a common sight in markets, where the locals still value mending old items instead of buying new ones. It's a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of these women, who turn old and damaged items into something useful and functional again. 

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How to Get There

Motorbike: A motorbike tour in the Ha Giang region is the most popular way to visit the Meo Vac Market. The majority of Ha Giang Loop tours pass through Meo Vac. You can arrange your tour to make sure you visit Meo Vac on a Sunday. Here are the most popular Ha Giang motorbike tours you can book. 

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Bus: The Cau Me Bus Company runs a direct sleeper bus that travels from Hanoi to Meo Vac at around 20 USD. The bus takes 10 hours and departs at 9:30am or 9pm. You can book your ticket online at Bookaway.com. 

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Tip: If you want to break the bus journey, we recommend stopping at Ha Giang City and then taking a bus to Meo Vac town. 

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Book your bus to Ha Giang City

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Where to Stay 

To take full advantage of the Meo Vac Market, we recommend spending the night in the main town so you can easily visit in the early morning. 

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Stay within walking distance so you don’t have to worry about parking, as the market can be very crowded. Find all accommodations in Meo Vac here.

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Budget

Giac Xua Guest House

Budget

Lo Lo Homestay and Cafe

Top Tips Before Visiting

Here are some helpful tips to help you make the most out of your visit to Meo Vac Market in Ha Giang.

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1. Get there early: The market is busiest in the morning, so try to plan your visit and arrive before 10am. We recommend visiting around 6am when it’s mostly locals and not a lot of tourists. You’ll also have more time to explore all the different stalls. 

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2. Bring cash: It is a cash-only environment, so make sure to bring enough money with you in case you want to purchase some goods or snacks.

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3. Stay in the center: The market gets really crowded and it gets hard to find parking. Book your accommodation close to the center so you can visit early in the morning.

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4. Dress appropriately: Meo Vac Market is located in the countryside, so dress appropriately. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that won't restrict your movement.

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5. Take your time: The market can be overwhelming with its huge selection of stalls and bustling crowd. Make sure to take your time to explore and navigate through the market. Additionally, pause and immerse yourself in the local culture for a truly enriching experience. 

And that’s the short guide to visiting the Meo Vac Market in Ha Giang. 

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It is an experience that should not be missed by any traveler doing the Ha Giang Loop. The vibrant colors, unique smells, and bustling atmosphere make it a truly unforgettable destination. 

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Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in the local culture or simply want to try some delicious local treats, this market has something to offer for everyone. Let us know if you have any questions below.