Bao Lac Town Night Market – A Colorful Saturday Night in Western Cao Bang
As night falls over the small town beside the Gam River, strings of lights glow, cooking fires send fragrant smoke into the air, and the sounds of the dan tinh lute and then songs echo through the bustling crowd. This is Bao Lac Town Night Market, where the cultures of the Tay, Nung, Hmong, Dao, Lo Lo, and San Chi people come together every Saturday night. If you’re visiting western Cao Bang over the weekend, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Where Is the Night Market?
The night market is held in the central market area of the former Bao Lac Town, now part of Bao Lac Commune. In July 2025, the new Bao Lac Commune was formed from Bao Lac Town, Bao Toan Commune, and Hong Tri Commune.
The market officially opened in November 2020 and takes place every Saturday evening. It is a tourism and service offering that showcases the distinctive culture, products, and cuisine of the ethnic communities of western Cao Bang.
Four Market Zones, Four Experiences
The night market is divided into four main zones:
Food zone: A wide variety of dishes, including local specialties and products certified under the OCOP program. Tucked beside the handicraft stalls, food vendors fill the air with fragrant cooking smoke, inviting visitors to stop and eat. Savoring local dishes by a glowing fire on a chilly highland evening is an experience to remember.
Shopping zone: Browse local specialties alongside clothing, shoes, incense, and food products. It’s easy to find distinctive gifts to take home for family and friends.
Entertainment zone: Enjoy traditional games, ethnic performances, and a play area for children.
Stage area: The venue for cultural performances by local ethnic communities.
The market also has an exhibition area featuring photos of popular tourist attractions, traditional costumes, and local specialties from Bao Lac and Cao Bang. It is one of the market’s most popular spots.
A Night of Distinctive Cultural Performances
Shopping is only part of the appeal of Bao Lac Town Night Market. Visitors can soak up the region’s captivating then, sli, luon, and nang oi songs while discovering the traditions of the Tay, Nung, Hmong, Dao, Lo Lo, and San Chi peoples.
What sets Bao Lac Town Night Market apart is its ever-changing program. Each week, a different local community takes the lead, so repeat visits never feel the same. One week you might see a Lo Lo dance; the next, hear Hmong love songs.
Young Women at the Night Market
One of the market’s most charming sights is young Lo Lo, Tay, and Nung women in traditional dress heading out together to enjoy the market. For local residents, the night market is more than a place to shop and sell; it’s a chance to meet and socialize after a hard week’s work. Standing among the stalls, you can feel the authentic rhythm of life in this remote border region.
Phong Luu Love Market Cultural Week
Alongside its weekly night market, Bao Lac hosts Phong Luu Love Market Cultural Week, featuring the “Phong Luu Love Market Festival Night,” a reenactment of the “Night Before Market Day,” and a range of cultural and sporting events and traditional games. In 2022, around 6,000 visitors came to Bao Lac during the four-day event. On the night before market day, visitors can watch a reenactment of the Red Dao “scarf exchange” custom or listen to Hmong love songs and call-and-response singing.
A Weekend Itinerary in Bao Lac
- Saturday afternoon: Arrive in Bao Lac and visit Van An Pagoda beside the Gam River.
- Saturday evening: Explore the night market, sample local specialties, and enjoy the performances.
- Sunday morning: Head up Khau Coc Cha Pass to admire its 15 tiers, then visit the historic Dong Mu Fort.
- Sunday afternoon: Visit Khuoi Khon Lo Lo Village for a community-based tourism experience.