Each market day draws in crowds from surrounding areas
The market opens its gates early each Friday morning. By mid-morning, the grounds are alive with color, sounds, and scents, as people from nearby villages - often dressed in traditional clothing - converge to buy, sell, and reconnect.
The goods on display offer a snapshot of the region’s agricultural and artisanal richness. From specialty vegetables grown in the highlands, like giao co lam (jiaogulan), rau rut (water mimosa), and rau bao (local greens), to handwoven brocade fabrics that showcase the textile artistry of ethnic minority groups, each stall tells a story of local resilience and identity. These brocade products, in particular, lend the market its unique aesthetic, drawing both locals and visitors alike.
The market offers a variety of highland specialty vegetables such as jiaogulan, water mimosa...
Traders lay out a variety of goods produced in Trung Ha and neighboring areas, including household items, agricultural tools such as knives, hoes, and shovels, and an array of traditional dishes. Visitors can sample beloved regional specialties such as bánh lẳng (a glutinous rice cake), bánh trứng kiến (ant egg cake), and bánh gấc (made with spiny bitter gourd). Refreshments like chè thập cẩm (mixed sweet soup), black jelly, and herbal drinks are also widely available, offering a cooling break from the day’s activities.
The market sells a wide range of products, with brocade items adding a distinctive charm of the highland culture
Most goods on sale are local specialties produced by villagers in Trung Ha and surrounding communes
Beyond commerce, the market serves as a social and cultural cornerstone. It's common to see mothers carrying babies on their backs, groups of friends catching up, and local artisans proudly explaining the origin of their products. Clothing stalls attract young shoppers, while elders gather to exchange news over a cup of traditional tea.
Scenes of mothers carrying children on their backs are common sights at Trung Ha market
What makes Trung Ha’s market particularly special is its rhythm - it happens only once a week, every Friday. That scarcity lends it a festive energy. For many, it’s not just about goods - it’s about connection. It’s where generations come together, cultures intertwine, and community spirit thrives.
Farming tools such as knives, hoes, and shovels are also available at the market
As markets across the globe face modernization and digital disruption, Trung Ha’s chợ phiên stands as a living testament to the enduring power of tradition — and the irreplaceable value of human connection in rural life.
Translated by Nguyen Thanh Hieu
