Hop Thanh - Ta Phoi Highland Cultural Market is bustling from the early morning of every Sunday. Streams of people and vehicles flock in, bringing the breath of the mountains and forests along with the simple features of life in the mountainous region. This place is not only a vibrant trading point but also a unique cultural exchange space in the suburban area of the old Lao Cai city. The market is planned on an area of over 4,000 m², including a spacious covered main market area and separately arranged business areas, creating convenience for trading and sightseeing.

Agricultural products are sown and harvested by farmers in Hop Thanh commune and neighboring areas. Bunches of mustard greens, chayote, potatoes, pumpkins, etc. still retaining the mist, fresh and clean, attracting buyers. Hop Thanh - Ta Phoi Highland Cultural Market is an attractive destination for tourists who want to discover indigenous culture, experience highland life and cuisine right near the center of the old Lao Cai city.

Many types of precious medicinal plants such as ganoderma lucidum, panax pseudoginseng, and dried blood vine are sold at the market. Like many other highland markets, the trading of precious medicinal plants here takes place simply, rarely with excessive overcharging, creating trust for tourists and buyers. The area selling precious medicines is not only a place for trade but also a place to preserve valuable folk medical knowledge of the highland ethnic minorities.

Brilliant brocade colors from the traditional costumes of ethnic minorities embellish the market session. Besides costumes, there are items such as fabrics and hand-embroidered cords. On market days, ethnic people often wear traditional costumes, creating a brilliant and colorful space.

The area selling daily life utensils at Hop Thanh - Ta Phoi Highland Cultural Market creates an essential and colorful trading corner, where hand-forged products of the Mong people such as knives, hoes, plowshares, etc. along with consumer goods from the lowlands such as ceramic bowls, household plasticware, and basic necessities, etc. are sold, fully meeting the living needs of the people.

A special highlight in the culinary space is the cake selling area - a gathering place for traditional cakes such as humped chung cake, corn cake, day cake, roasted green rice flake cake, and especially black chung cake made from nuc nac tree ash powder. All are processed by the skillful hands of grandmothers and mothers of the Giay and Dao ethnic groups, preserving the traditional flavor imbued with highland identity.

The market is a meeting and trading place for ethnic minorities such as Mong, Dao, Giay, Tay, Xa Pho from highland villages of Hop Thanh commune and neighboring areas. The market plays an important role in promoting agricultural production, helping highland people consume products, creating jobs, and increasing income, contributing to poverty reduction.

People come to the market not only to buy and sell but also to experience the unique cultural features of the ethnic minorities here. In Autumn, green rice flakes are a famous specialty of the Tay people and other ethnic groups sold at the market. This is not only a rustic gift but also a 3-star OCOP recognized product, attracting both locals and tourists to buy as gifts. Hop Thanh commune also organizes the annual Green Rice Flake Festival to honor the traditional profession and promote community tourism.

By noon, when the highland sunlight begins to pour down intensely, the market session gradually closes. For many people, being present at Hop Thanh - Ta Phoi Highland Cultural Market on Sunday is an unforgettable memory, as they have bought essential items, agricultural tools, and rare products after a morning of meaningful trading, experience, and cultural exchange.

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