Ta Ngao cow market in Tinh Bien town, An Giang province (Photo: VOV)

The Ta Ngao cow market is separated from Cambodia by the Vinh Te canal. In the past, Khmer people from the Bay Nui area went to Cambodia to buy cows. Eventually buffaloes and cows began to be traded at a weekly market in Phu Tam village, An Phu commune, Tinh Bien district, which is now the famous Ta Ngao cow market.

Chau Minh Lang, a local trader, said: “I’ve been raising and trading cattle since I was a child. The Ta Ngao market is crowded with goods. Trading cattle is profitable work, and is easier than many other jobs.”

In addition to buying and selling cows, the market also offers grass cutting and cow tending services, which creates extra income for hundreds of local people. A cow racing festival is held to celebrate every harvest, and before the festival, people go to Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand to buy cows.

The reputation and scale of Ta Ngao cow market has expanded to become a “meeting venue” for Vietnamese and Cambodian traders. Both the Vietnamese dong and the Cambodian riel are used for transactions.

Trader Soc Kha said: “This is the biggest cattle market in the southwestern region. At least 200 cows and buffaloes are traded here every day. The market was formed a long time ago. Raising cows is like putting money in a piggy bank so many people try to raise some.”

Since 2006 the market has been managed by Company 622 of Military Region 9. The Ta Ngao cow market’s stalls, barns, and grass selling area spans about 1 hectare.  

Trader Ho Anh Tuan said: “I’ve been to many places to buy cattle. The cows at the Ta Ngao market are always good. I buy three cows to raise and resell.”

A good cow should have a strong head, hooves, and tail, said a trader at Ta Ngao cow market. (Photo: VOV)

A lot of traders in Vinh Long and Tien Giang come here to buy cattle. The buffaloes and cows are strictly quarantined, and only those without diseases can be sold. The cows sold are usually 6 months to 2 years old and prices range from 300 to 1,200 USD.

“I’m buying a cow to fatten it, fix its nose ring, and put bells on its neck for racing. I’ll take good care of it so it will be healthy and strong and easy to resell.”

“I’ll buy a cow and feed it grass and nutritious food to make it strong and fat. When buying a cow, you must choose one with a strong head, hooves, and tail.”

“A nice cow holds its head high. If it’s being raised for racing, it has a good chance to win.”

Ta Ngao has changed since it was a remote hamlet where people lived mainly by making palm sugar. Now it’s busy with people coming to buy and sell cattle. The local administration is planning to expand the Ta Ngao cow market even further.