(VOVWORLD) - Meo Vac Fair is one of the most famous ones in the northern mountain province of Dong Van. Tourists can indulge themselves in a cultural space inhabited by many local ethnic groups. People come to trade food, agricultural products, and farm tools, or just to meet people and enjoy the atmosphere.
 Meo Vac Night Market in Ha Giang province (photo: VOV |
Meo Vac market is located in the center of Meo Vac district. As the biggest fair in Ha Giang province, it is open every Sunday morning. As early as 4 a.m, roads leading to the fair are noisy and crowed with people and vehicles.
Pham van Dong, who came from Thai Nguyen province to work as a teacher in Meo Vac district, shared his feelings. “Meo Vac fair has many things different from the markets on the plain. It’s always crowded. People come here as early as 4 or 5 a.m. They carry many things on papooses to the market.”
At the animal area, the sellers don’t keep pigs, chicken, and dogs in cases but tie them with a rope. Cows and buffalos wear bells. The clothing area displays colorful clothes and accessories which are handmade by Mong women.
 A Mong man sells some hand-made goods and things he collected in the forest. (photo: VOV) |
Hoang Van Nam from Bac Quang district says: “Mountain fairs in Meo Vac, Dong Van and Quan Ba district have many similarities. Most of the market goers are the Mong. They don their traditional clothes which are adorned with colorful embroidery patterns.”
Ethnic women often wear their most beautiful brocade clothes to the fair, because they don’t only come here to trade but to meet friends. Tourists can’t resist buying something as a souvenir to bring home.
 The food corner in Meo Vac fair (photo: VOV) |
After shopping, tourists stop at the food court to taste some local dishes such as hot fried corn cakes of the Mong and fried donuts of the Kinh. Thang co, horse meat hotpot, and pho noodle are typical flavors of the highlanders.
Pham Tuan Linh, a resident in Meo Vac, says: “This is the biggest fair of the Mong in Ha Giang province. At Meo Vac fair we feel overwhelmed by the Mong culture. Indigenous dishes such as sour bean soup, 5-color steamed sticky rice, and horse meat hotpot have original flavours. The market is always crowded with locals and tourists.”
Coming to Meo Vac, strangers can become friends after trading, drinking corn wine, and eating something together.