Eager to Visit the Muong Periodic Market

In the highland communes across the four Muong regions (Bi, Vang, Thang, Dong) in the Hoa Binh area, periodic markets are always bustling with life and energy. Local people eagerly bring their unique, homegrown products, which can be found only in these mountainous villages. Each market day unfolds like a vibrant painting, a convergence of mountain treasures and the cultural identity of the Muong people.

Unique and rare mountain specialties are displayed for sale at the periodic market.

Periodic markets are usually held in the central area of commune clusters, where people from surrounding villages gather to buy and sell. Unlike regular markets, these markets convene only on specific days.

Visiting the Muong land and immersing oneself in these periodic markets is a fascinating way to explore the region’s culture and gain insight into the daily life of its people. Among the most well-known markets are Bo Market (Van Son Commune), Dung Phong Market (Muong Thang Commune), Sao Market (Muong Vang Commune), Lo Son Market (Toan Thang Commune), Phu Luong Market (Quyet Thang Commune), and Ngoc My Market (Tan Lac Commune).

Traditional Muong brocade adds color and vibrancy to the periodic market.

Before sunrise, the roads leading to the markets are already filled with footsteps and chatter, and by the time the sun rises behind the mountains, the markets are in full swing.

Visiting a periodic market on a Saturday or Sunday, one cannot help but be drawn to the local specialties and the sincerity of the sellers, mostly ordinary villagers rather than professional traders. During this season, the highland people bring “forest gifts” such as fresh bamboo shoots, bee pupae, mushrooms, black canarium nuts, mountain snails, and various medicinal herbs.

Alongside these are vegetables, fruits, and other homegrown or foraged products. Particularly distinctive are the handcrafted items typical of Muong life - bamboo steamers for sticky rice, wooden mortars, bamboo chopsticks, and fish baskets. Livestock such as chickens, ducks, and pigs are also traded, supporting local livelihoods.

At Dung Phong Market, held every Sunday, visitors will also find stalls offering traditional Muong costumes, including traditional Muong brocade, adding to the vivid charm of the market scene.

Amid modern life, traditional handmade tools are still preserved and developed.

Because these markets are held only once a week, they are not just trade places but also cherished meeting points, occasions for villagers to gather, socialize, and relax after days of hard work.

Periodic markets usually last only through the morning. By noon, as the sun climbs high, villagers pack up their goods and begin the journey home—yet the atmosphere of joy and connection lingers, and everyone already looks forward to the next market day. For visitors, especially those from cities, joining such a market is an unforgettable experience that reveals the heart and rhythm of mountain life.

Cam Le