The market is held near the Bac Ha Sunday market, attracting many people from the highland villages of Lao Cai province and occasionally from other provinces. Many households have buffaloes for sale, and since they live tens of kilometers away from the market, they have to wake up as early as 4 am to make it to the market on time. On market days, one can see hundreds of buffaloes being traded in an area spanning thousands of square meters. Each buffalo has a different price, ranging from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dong, depending on age, weight, and appearance.
The scenic location of the market.
Along a 1-kilometer stretch on both sides of the river, hundreds of buffaloes and cattle are brought to Bac Ha town by locals and traders. Those who live nearby usually walk their buffaloes to the market, while those from farther away hire trucks to transport them. Some look for good deals on quality buffaloes, while others aim to sell their animals at a high price.
Nearly a hundred buffaloes are traded at each market, ranging from those used for breeding and plowing to those large enough for slaughter. Some lead their buffaloes downstream, while others go upstream. Some tie their buffaloes to tree roots, while others secure them to the bridge… Everyone takes the opportunity to chat while they trade. Here, buffaloes of all kinds, sizes, and ages are on offer, from calves to adult buffaloes, and from meat buffaloes to dairy ones.
Buying buffaloes depends on purposes such as meat, breeding, or production, so the way they are examined differs.
Buyers carefully inspect details such as the legs, horns, tails, and overall appearance of each buffalo. The buying and selling process is swift once the parties agree on a price and conduct a cash transaction. The price of adult buffaloes in the market ranges from 18 to 40 million dong each, while calves cost around 6.5 to 8 million dong each.
According to many locals, knowing how to choose and seeking advice from experienced people is key to selecting a good buffalo. Most buffaloes are pumped with water before being brought to the market. This trick not only makes them look plumper but also gives their coats a shiny and attractive appearance. However, such tricks rarely fool experienced buyers. Robust and muscular buffaloes with shiny black coats and a stately stance, coupled with sharp horns, are often the preferred choice.
Traders are very selective when buying buffaloes.
When inspecting a buffalo, customers usually pry open its mouth to count its teeth and determine its age. They then proceed to check the shoulders, hips, and hindquarters. A beautiful buffalo must be young, with room to grow, and have broad shoulders, hips, and sleek fur. Choosing a robust buffalo for plowing remains the top priority for many visitors to the Bac Ha buffalo market. Buyers carefully examine the buffaloes, paying close attention to whether they have molted or changed teeth to assess their age and health.
As noon approaches, the Bac Ha buffalo market becomes livelier.
However, not everyone comes here solely to buy or sell buffaloes. For highland residents, the buffalo market is also a place to meet, socialize, and chat, adding a colorful dimension to this unique market. Even if they don’t sell their buffaloes, the owners don’t feel disappointed. They see it as an opportunity to show off their buffaloes, like an exhibition within this special market in the Northwest region.
In the past, the market mainly featured buffaloes from local ethnic minority groups. Still, nowadays, the bustling atmosphere has attracted many traders from Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces, making the market even more diverse.
The uniqueness of this market attracts not only buyers and sellers but also tourists who come to experience and observe. Many YouTubers and TikTokers also flock to this market to livestream, providing their audiences with vivid images of the Bac Ha buffalo market.
