Ha Giang markets and when they run
The markets of the Dong Van plateau are everyday trading places for the people who live in the mountains, and visitors are welcome to walk through. Not every market meets on Sunday. Dong Van and Meo Vac do, while Sa Phin follows a different rhythm. If you want a market on your loop, plan your overnight stops around the day.
The easiest way to build this in is a guided or Easy Rider trip, because the operator can set the route so that Sunday morning finds you in the right town. Compare options on the Ha Giang Loop tours page, or read how the days of the loop fit together in the itinerary.
Market days compared
Rhythms in 2026. Check with your host the day before.
| Market | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dong Van | Sunday, best visited early | Arrive early; the town is the usual overnight stop |
| Meo Vac | Sunday morning | Reached from Dong Van over the Ma Pi Leng Pass in about 1 hour |
| Sa Phin | Tỵ and Hợi days of the animal calendar | No fixed weekday, so ask locally |
| Khau Vai | Once a year, by the lunar calendar | A festival and market event, not the weekly Meo Vac market |
For most travelers on a 3 or 4 day loop, the Dong Van Sunday market is the easiest to catch, because the town is the main overnight stop. If you only have the Sunday for one market, choose the one that lies on your route.
Our pick: a tour that reaches the markets
Market days differ by village, so ask the provider before booking which market your route reaches.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours that pass the markets
Loop tours through Dong Van and Meo Vac, Easy Rider trips and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Dong Van market on Sunday
A lively Sunday morning.
The market of Dong Van (Đồng Văn) fills the area around the market square on Sunday morning. The market starts early, so an early start gives you the most time. People from several ethnic groups of the plateau trade here.
Food is part of the visit. Stalls sell local dishes such as mèn mén and thắng cố, sticky rice and maize spirit. Ask before you eat or drink something you do not know.
Markets and the old quarter share the same town, so you can combine them with a walk. See the Dong Van page for the old quarter, the Vuong Palace and places to sleep.
Meo Vac, Sa Phin and Khau Vai
The other markets.
Meo Vac market
Meo Vac (Mèo Vạc) holds its market on Sunday morning. The town lies at the southeastern end of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, so it fits a loop that crosses the pass in the morning. Several ethnic groups meet there, among them Hmong, Lô Lô and Giáy. Read more on the Meo Vac and Du Gia page.
Sa Phin market
The Sa Phin (Sà Phìn) market runs on the Tỵ and Hợi days of the traditional animal calendar, so it is not tied to a Sunday. Ask your host or guide for the next date. The Vuong Palace stands in the same village, which makes Sa Phin a good stop on a market day.
Khau Vai
Khau Vai (Khâu Vai) is an annual festival and market event, not another name for the weekly Meo Vac market. In 2026 it was set for 12 and 13 May, the 26th and 27th day of the 3rd lunar month. The date moves with the lunar calendar every year, so check it before you plan a trip around it.
How to visit a market with respect
Simple habits that help everyone.
Ask before you photograph
Ask people before you take their picture, and accept a no. A smile and a gesture are enough to ask. Photograph goods and the scene, not people who do not want it.
These are working markets
People come to buy and sell, not to be watched. Keep paths clear, do not block stalls, and do not treat anyone as part of a show. The people you meet belong to different groups with their own customs, and they live here every day.
Buy small, buy fair
If you want something, ask the price politely and pay what is agreed. Carry small notes in Vietnamese dong.
Check your timing
Hours and days can change, for example around the lunar new year. Ask your host before you set an alarm.
Plan the rest of the loop
Pages for the places around the markets.
Ha Giang markets: frequently asked questions
Which day is the Dong Van market?
On Sunday. Arrive early to see it at its liveliest.
Is the Meo Vac market also on Sunday?
Yes, on Sunday morning. Dong Van and Meo Vac are about 22 km apart, roughly 1 hour by road over the Ma Pi Leng Pass, so you can see the start of one and the rest of the other only if you leave very early.
When is the Sa Phin market?
On the Tỵ and Hợi days of the animal calendar, not on a fixed weekday. Ask your host or guide for the next date.
Is Khau Vai the same as the Meo Vac market?
No. Khau Vai is a yearly festival and market event on a lunar date. The Meo Vac market is weekly.
May I take photos of people?
Ask first and accept a no. This is a matter of manners, and it keeps the markets friendly for the next visitor.