Top Things to do in Lao Cai Province
The 10 Best Shopping in Lao Cai Province, Lao Cai Province
Discover the best top things to do in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam including Indigo Cat, Tho Cam Lan Rung, Hieu Stone, Sin Cheng Market, Linh Handicraft, MaiEcolife The Hill Opera, Sapa Hemp, Anh Duc Shop, Can Cau Market, Bac Ha Market.
Restaurants in Lao Cai Province
1. Indigo Cat
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 66 reviews
At Indigo Cat shop, we carefully choose our fabrics directly by visiting local families from all over the northern part of Vietnam. Those families and Indigo Cat agree on a fair price that covers the cost of labor and materials and enables artisans to earn a fair compensation for their work. All these artisans can plan for the future with constant orders from month to month. We are now working with more than 50 different families and we are employing 3 women in our workshop located in Ta Van village. By purchasing items from us, our customers are directly impacting the local minority communities to create a better life for them and their families.
Reviewed By Oliwwwa
I am greatly interested in art of fabrics. My husband took me for super treking combined with batik workshop from Indigo Cat. We had a scenic walk for about 10 km from Sa Pa to Ta Van village where the sweetest and lovely teacher had showed me the secrets of batik making and indigo. You have to reserve minimum 3 hours for the whole process. It is such a meticulous and complex craft and everyone interested in artisan work and diy will greatly enjoy it. My teacher was very patient and truly applied learning by doing method of educating. I was so satisfied with observing her work, teach and also happy with the effect. Additionally we made a little shopping on the spot. Highly recommend this very unique and rare experience.
2. Tho Cam Lan Rung
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. Hieu Stone
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
My shop is located on the way to the tourist area of Cat Cat Village! We accept orders (custom design available) and follow the requirements of customers from sapa soap stone! "all days of the week workshop( Carving class"!
4. Sin Cheng Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By TOMTRAVEINVIETNAM - Sapa, Vietnam
Sin Cheng market, in the remote border area of Si Ma Cai, 40km from Bac Ha, is a vibrant and chaotic weekly hub for the local Nung and Flower H’mong ethnic minorities who live in the surrounding villages.
5. Linh Handicraft
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Linh's Handicraft specializes in natural eco friendly giftware including custom made clothing and accessories. All products comprise of beautiful hemp and cotton fabrics which are naturally dyed using Indigo, Yam and timbers. The shop is situated in the heart of the Cat Cat tourist village and offers authentic locally made products and artwork. Very affordable pricing for such beautiful items.
6. MaiEcolife The Hill Opera
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
High-end Ecolife homestay with all trekking, hiking tour options, spa and food art. By thoroughly understanding that each community, ranging from tribal villages to nations, has different methods of conveying and conserving their culture and reckless tourism development can wreak havoc upon the traditions we keep for hundreds of generations, the idea of MaiEcolife came together.
7. Sapa Hemp
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
8. Anh Duc Shop
9. Can Cau Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By J4939HJmichaelp - Chiang Rai, Thailand
Another market well known for colorful minority people and one of a handful where large livestock (cows and buffalo) are still traded. I have been to this market many times as it is easy enough to reach by bus from Bac Ha town center. Located 12 highway miles (19 km) north of Bac Ha, the small village of Can Cau hosts a smaller version of the Bac Ha market every Saturday morning. Overlooking a beautiful valley blanketed in rice terraces and cornfields, the market is spread out over a fairly large area. Situated along provincial road DT- 153, it feels less crowded, and until recently had fewer tourists than the market in Bac Ha. Since many of the vendors are selling their wares on the highway itself, it is easier to move around and take photographs. Much like Bac Ha, Can Cau market attracts the colorfully dressed Flower Hmong people who both buy and sell fresh produce, livestock, farming equipment and all sorts of clothing and household goods. In the very back of the market is a long-curved path where vendors sell handicrafts, trinkets, and souvenirs to a growing number of tourists. The trip from Bac Ha to Can Cau takes about forty minutes, so I recommend getting an early start. The market can be reached by bus or motorcycle taxi; a one-way moto ride costs around 200,000 VND. Another option is to hire a motorcycle taxi and after seeing the market make a tour of the surrounding area. Drivers can be arranged through hotels to do a six to eight-hour sight-seeing tour for around $30 USD. To reach Can Cau by bus, take any of the local ones marked "Lào Cai - Bắc Hà - Si Ma Cai". These buses pass directly in front of the market which happens to be on the main road between Bac Ha and Si Ma Cai. Since buses make frequent stops, the journey takes at least one hour. The cost, each way, is 40,000 VND.
10. Bac Ha Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 489 reviews
Bac ha Market Nestled in the northern hills of Vietnam exists one of the best ethnic markets in all of Southeast Asia! On Sundays, the ethnic minorities from the surrounding villages and hills come by foot, by motorscooter, by horse, and by water buffalow for their chance to socialize, eat, drink, smoke, get a haircut, and buy produce and meat for the next week. It is a blur of colorful plaids and stripes.
Reviewed By J4939HJmichaelp - Chiang Rai, Thailand
I've actually been to this market around fifty times. Located in Bac Ha town center it is very easy and inexpensive for budget independent travelers to reach. It is also one of a handful of markets where large livestock; buffalo, cows, and horses are still traded. Many Chinese from Yunnan come here to buy buffalo and it's not uncommon to see money-changers armed with electronic calculators and large bags of ready to buy back Chinese Yuan. The market is also well known as a gathering place for the Flower Hmong people who live in Lao Cai and Ha Giang Provinces. For the minority people, these markets are a bit like a county fair in rural North-America. Many folks, mostly the girls and ladies, put on their best costumes for the occasion. In addition to the Hmong, visitors will also encounter Black Tay, Tai, Kinh, Dao Ao Dai, Phu La and Nung people in full traditional clothing. These markets in Northern Vietnam start early; around 6 a.m., peak around 10 and by noon most people are headed back to their villages, many on foot, with bamboo baskets full of rice and other basic staples. Amazing arrays of products are sold here including foodstuff such as meat, produce and rice, clothing and household goods. As many of the shoppers here are farmers a wide selection of agricultural equipment from hand and power tools to pumps and machinery is also available. Since the market starts early in the morning and peaks before noon, many travelers opt to arrive in Bac Ha Saturday afternoon and spend at least one night. There are a number of budget hotels in the town, most of which are within a five-minute walk of the market. There are also many inexpensive home-stays in and around town, a few of which can be found in Ban Pho Village. Besides the Sunday market, there is a small Saturday night market and cultural show located near the pagoda in town. Bac Ha offers trekking opportunities to nearby villages such as Ban Pho.
