Sapa Market
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Sue Wolfe
About this spot
Sapa is a remote town in northwestern Vietnam that is known for its rice terraces, cool mountain weather and community of ethnic minorities. The French “discovered” the views from Sapa in 1918 and by 1922 they had turned it into a summer retreat. That all came to an end with the Indochina and Vietnam wars. Fortunately with the country reopening to tourism, Sapa was rediscovered and it has regained the popularity it had during the early 1900s.
The Sapa Market is located at the main square in the center of Sapa near the Sapa church. While there are stalls every day, the main market is held every Sunday at the main square. Besides buying and selling, the traditional market is for socializing after a hard day at work.
The market consists of both indoor and outdoor spaces. It offers flowers, fresh produce, and food; as well as ethnic fabrics and tourist souvenirs such as silver jewelry, medical herbs, purses, blankets and tablecloths.
The market is a great place for people photography. In the early morning there are hundreds of Hmong and Red Dzao heading to the market. You will also see the Blue Hmong—the women are easily identified. The repetition of dyeing the indigo cloth over the years has permanently stained their fingers blue.
The Sapa Market is located at the main square in the center of Sapa near the Sapa church. While there are stalls every day, the main market is held every Sunday at the main square. Besides buying and selling, the traditional market is for socializing after a hard day at work.
The market consists of both indoor and outdoor spaces. It offers flowers, fresh produce, and food; as well as ethnic fabrics and tourist souvenirs such as silver jewelry, medical herbs, purses, blankets and tablecloths.
The market is a great place for people photography. In the early morning there are hundreds of Hmong and Red Dzao heading to the market. You will also see the Blue Hmong—the women are easily identified. The repetition of dyeing the indigo cloth over the years has permanently stained their fingers blue.
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