As the mist still lingers over the mountains and forests, the Mong people from the highland communes of Hang Kia and Pa Co (Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province) eagerly make their way down to the Pa Co market. This market is not just a place for trading goods but also a cultural rendezvous for the Mong communities from Hang Kia, Pa Co (Mai Chau), and Loong Luong (Van Ho district, Son La province). Here, the Mong people actively share their rich cultural heritage, including customs, cuisine, traditional attire, unique cultural activities, and folk games.

The clothing stalls of the Mong people at Pa Co Market

 burst with vibrant colors

The Pa Co market is held once a week on Sundays. To attend the market, locals rise before dawn, carrying simple belongings such as a basket with a few kilograms of rice, some vegetables, a small sack with a few knives, a cutting board, or even a few pigs, chickens, or ducks. The stalls are set up simply, with just tarps or small bamboo and rattan huts. Despite its simplicity, the Pa Co market holds a special allure for both domestic and international tourists. Every visitor to Pa Co and Hang Kia makes it a point to experience this market. At the Pa Co market, visitors can savor local agricultural products grown and raised by the residents and delve into the rich culture of the Mong people.

International tourists delightly exploring the Pa Co market, Mai Chau

Amidst the lively sounds of laughter and conversation, a bustling row of food stalls offers an array of delicious, cooked dishes. This popular gathering spot draws many men who meet at the market, inviting each other to these eateries to catch up, share stories, inquire about health, and exchange valuable experiences in animal husbandry, agriculture, economic development, and community building. Here, by the smoky warmth of crackling fires and the enticing aroma of local delicacies, visitors can easily find distinctive specialties of the Mong ethnic people, such as dried meat, buffalo skin salad, corn-shaped cakes, horse stew (Thang Co ngua in Vietnamese), bean soup, and traditional corn and rice wines.

According to the locals of Hang Kia and Pa Co, the Pa Co market is not only a place for trading goods but also a meeting point for young Mong men and women. The young women wear their most beautiful, colorful dresses, moving gracefully among the bustling stalls alongside the young men. Elderly people sit dreamily by the smoke of their traditional tobacco pipes, while children delight in savoring local delicacies in a small corner of the market. This vibrant scene is a source of joy and happiness for the community after a week of hard work.

The most striking area at the Pa Co market is perhaps the vibrant section selling traditional brocade products. From brocade fabrics to clothing, aprons, belts, accessories, handbags, and wallets, each item is meticulously crafted and full of vivid colors, drawing the attention of tourists. With their skillful hands, Mong women weave unique products adorned with intricate patterns that reflect the cultural and spiritual values of the Mong people. For instance, they embroider snail motifs on shirts and skirts to wish for a prosperous life; spiral patterns symbolize the cycle of life; rhombus patterns with four spirals represent family and community unity; and fern motifs placed beside fences depict the layout of Mong living spaces.

Mong locals cheerfully converse in the food stall area

Visiting the market, one can witness the rich cultural diversity of the Mong people. The market has become a symbol of beauty representing the Hang Kia and Pa Co regions. The cultural space of the market is carefully preserved and developed, offering a place for the local community to meet and interact while also providing tourists with an opportunity to explore the unique cultural values of the area.