Sapa Night Market – A place to discover the culture and specialties of indigenous people

Sapa night market will make you surprised by the colorful Northwest cultural space, nestled next to the unique craft stalls are the smoky culinary stalls that will make you burst into tears.

1. Overview of Sapa Night Market

• Address: Near Sapa New Market (Sapa town – Sapa district – Lao Cai province)
• Operating hours: from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (every Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

In recent years, Sapa is increasingly attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit and relax. In addition to visiting beautiful landscapes and experiencing majestic mountains, Sapa night market is also loved by many tourists. Not only is it a place for cultural exchange of ethnic groups, this night market is also a place to trade and serve the shopping needs of all tourists.

Where is Sapa Night Market located? Surely this is a question asked by many tourists when coming to Sapa for the first time. The answer for you is Sapa night market located on N1 street, belonging to Bus Station Cultural Market, group 3B of Sapa town. Unlike night markets in other places, night markets in Sapa are usually only held on weekends, on days such as Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The night market in Sapa is usually held from late afternoon to night. The most special thing is that if you visit the market on the weekend, you will have the opportunity to participate in a music exchange program that recreates the cultural identity of highland people. In addition, visitors will also discover Sapa’s typical cuisine and shop for handicrafts made by the people here.

2. How to get to Sapa Night Market?

Tourists may go to Sapa night market in many different ways. If you want to gently observe the lyrical landscape of Sapa at night, you might opt to walk.

Slowly walking steps in the heart of the foggy mountain town, admiring the lively scenery on both sides of the road is also a delight that makes many visitors have wonderful memories throughout their journey. Especially if travelers are staying near the market or church, strolling to the night market is quite quick and convenient.

In addition, if you stay in more rural regions, you may get to the night market by motorcycle or automobile. However, visitors need to pay attention to forbidden routes or one-way roads near the market to prevent traffic penalties. Or if you are not too acquainted with the streets of Sapa, hiring a taxi or motorcycle taxi is the most optimum solution and has also been picked by many travelers.

3. What to do at Sapa Night Market?

Compared to many years before, Sapa night market has recently been renovated securely and spaciously. The dazzling lights from the stalls combined with the cool air of the mountain town at night will undoubtedly bring guests a sensation of excitement and interest when heading to the market.

3.1. Visit and shop at the stalls in the market

It is no exaggeration to say that Sapa night market is one of the top busy attractions and shopping areas in Sapa town nowadays. Coming to the night market, you will admire rare and one-of-a-kind handicrafts that are not often obtained in the lowlands.

In particular, travelers might often encounter vendors selling colorful products of the Red Dao and H’Mong people. Not just a trip to the market, through these stalls you also get the opportunity to learn more about the culture of our country’s ethnic minority.

In addition to sightseeing, visitors can also find many souvenirs when walking around the night market in Sapa. Depending on your preferences, you can find satisfactory items at stalls such as scarves, hats made from brocade, silver jewelry, bamboo flutes, flutes, etc. All souvenirs sold in the market are reasonably priced, suitable for tourists’ budgets.

3.2. Cultural exchange of ethnic groups

Not only sightseeing, shopping, and visiting Sapa night market is also an opportunity for tourists to learn and interact with the cultures of different ethnic groups. In addition to beautiful handicrafts crafted by the skillful hands of fellow artisans. You also have the opportunity to participate in cultural performances, singing and dancing with the people here. This is an extremely valuable opportunity to help visitors understand more about the culture and living habits of ethnic groups.

4. Special cuisine at Sapa night market

Coming to Sapa night market, in addition to what to do, what to eat is also a question that many tourists are interested in. So what special delicious dishes are there here? Here are some delicious dishes recommended by Vietnam Dope Travel  that visitors must try when attending this highland market.

4.1. “Armpit Pig” Sapa

If you are a tourist who loves to explore cuisine, perhaps you have heard of Muong Sapa pig or Sapa armpit pig, right? It can be said that this is a specialty dish that you must try when coming to Sapa.

Armpit pigs are processed from young pigs, about 5-6 kg. At this stage, the pork is still soft, not too fatty, but still firm and not dry when grilled or roasted. 

Armpit pig is prepared in a special way by the highlanders, giving it a rich flavor, crispy skin, and the characteristic aroma of grilled food. All have created an unforgettable flavor for the dish and make visitors remember it forever. Armpit pork is often enjoyed with apple wine.

4.2. Buffalo meat is kept in the kitchen

In addition to the specialty of armpit pork, kitchen buffalo meat is also a specialty of Sapa people. And this dish has also attracted many visitors to this land. If you come to Sapa without trying buffalo meat, you certainly haven’t had a complete trip.

Sapa kitchen buffalo meat is a unique dish cooked entirely from Ban buffalo. With a typical processing method, pieces of buffalo meat are marinated with spices extremely carefully and rich in flavor. After that, the meat will be dried over a wood stove for many days to produce irresistible pieces of delicious meat.

When enjoying buffalo meat on the stove, you will feel the fragrant smoky smell, the rich spicy and salty taste of marinated spices, and the sweetness of the original buffalo meat. Everything will blend together and stimulate the diners’ senses, creating an unforgettable impression for first-time tourists.

4.3. Famous Sapa grilled dishes

Visiting Sapa night market without enjoying grilled dishes, visitors will definitely feel extremely regretful. In the chilly air of the mountains and forests, there’s nothing more appealing than a hot, delicious barbecue next to a flickering fire. Come enjoy a Sapa-style barbecue with your friends if you have the opportunity to visit this land.

Barbecue at the night market in Sapa is marinated and grilled with many types of wild vegetables that only the highlands have. Therefore, visitors will enjoy a very different flavor of grilled food compared to grilled food in many places. Grilled dishes that tourists must try when coming to Sapa include: grilled chicken, bamboo-tube rice, grilled corn, grilled day cake, grilled bird meat,…

5. A few notes when coming to Sapa night market

About clothes: The weather in Sapa is quite erratic, but it is often chilly at night. That’s why you need to pay attention to wearing warm clothes and bringing an umbrella and raincoat when needed.

Preserve and preserve personal belongings: Not only local people, on weekends the market will increase the number of domestic and foreign tourists. Therefore, please preserve your belongings carefully and limit wearing valuable jewelry to avoid unnecessary loss.

Don’t pay too much: Because the products are of relatively good quality and the price is already affordable. These items are woven meticulously and skillfully by women and girls. Think about the effort they put in and choose wisely when buying.

6. Conclusion

So Vietnam Dope Travel is sure that you have somehow felt the “wow” when coming to Sapa night market, right? Please share your memorable moments here with us to love the country and people of Vietnam more!