A visit to the Bac Ha Market, the biggest minority market in Northwest Vietnam, is an amazing day trip from Sapa, where you can see bright colors and extravagant costumes of the local people.

After a pick up, you drive from Sapa to Bac Ha, around 110 kilometers and a 2.5-hour drive. You can also get picked up from Lao Cai in the morning if you just arrived from Hanoi by train. From Lao Cai it is 72km and about 1.5 hours driving.

Take the time you need to walk around Bac Ha Market. Enjoy the atmosphere and have fun trying out your bargaining skills with the local friendly people.

Have lunch in a local restaurant with a variety of food. Try the traditional local lunch of Thang Co (horse stew) and strong corn wine.

After lunch you will be driven to Ban Pho village.  Take a short walk around the minority village, home to Tay, Flower Hmong and Nung.

Enjoy an hour long horse carting trip from Ban Pho village to Na Hoi village.

A drive will bring you back to either Lao Cai or Sapa.