Exchange and art performance in Lao Bao border market. Photo: Quang Tri Newspaper

In the final days of the lunar year, the atmosphere was buzzing in Lao Bao town, with people coming from both sides of the Vietnam-Laos border. The market includes a food court; a zone displaying typical products of Vietnam’s Van Kieu and Pa Co ethnic minorities and Lao tribes; a zone for small traders; and photo and performance zones. The year-end market session with abundant goods drew quite a large number of visitors.

In the brocade shop owned by Muk-Da from Laos, customers were selecting shirts and scarves with eye-catching colors. Ms. Muk-Da said, “This is the first time I’ve joined in a special market like this. I bring here many traditional brocade products and ready-made costumes of Lao.”

Lao Bao border market also offers agricultural products, OCOP items, and local specialties. Ho Hoa My from Vietnam’s Dakrong district was selling rice, chicken and local dishes like rice and grilled meat in bamboo tubes. “I have prepared many regional specialties. The market provides the opportunity for cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Laos. As the Lunar New Year (Tet) is arriving, I feel a joyful vibe here,” My said. 

Marketgoers immersed themselves in the cultures preserved for thousands of years by the Van Kieu, Pa Co and Lao ethnic groups through dances and songs exuding the spirit of mountains and forests.

Nguyen Truc Duong, a resident of Lao Bao town, told us, “The Lao Bao border market serves as a venue for cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Laos as well as the promotion of the ethnic culture and traditions of the mountainous region. I hope that the market will take place regularly.”

Agricultural products are introduced in cross-border market. Photo: VOV

Lao people from Savannakhet province performed dances and offered liquor to the marketgoers. In response, the Van Kieu and Pa Co people from the Truong Son Mountain range performed their traditional folk songs and dances. Their unique style and the sound of gongs were like an invitation to visitors from near and far.

Le Ba Hung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Lao Bao town, said that the locality wants the market to become part of a journey connecting tourist destinations. This is also an opportunity for residents on both sides of the border to exchange and trade goods, he said.

“The Lao Bao market is organized for cultural and culinary exchanges and the trading of agricultural and forestry products between residents on both sides of the border. We have arranged more than 50 booths selling products of the Van Kieu ethnic minority, OCOP products, and dishes of the Lao people,” Hung added. 

The Lao Bao border market helps preserve the values of the mountain people and demonstrates the long-standing solidarity between the Vietnamese and Lao neighbors.