Many visitors typically choose the northwestern region, including Bac Ha district of Lao Cai province, to enjoy the three-day New Year holiday so they can experience cold weather in mountainous areas and discover the traditional customs of ethnic people.
Bac Ha market is located approximately 76km away from the centre of Lao Cai province. Tourists can travel by car to the market which is held every Sunday.
The first market session of 2023 takes place on January 1 which coincides with New Year celebrations.
A couple from Hanoi spends their New Year holiday exploring Bac Ha market for the first time.
Nhung, a resident of Hanoi, shares that she’s fascinated with images of ethnic children donning colourful costumes.
Ethnic H’Mong couples go shopping at the market from early in the morning to purchase decorative items for their houses in 2023.
Lam Thi Yen, a trader in Bac Ha market, says the number of visitors on January 1 is double that of normal days as both locals and tourists seek items for a good year ahead.
Traditional dishes are available, including pho and thang co, a type of horse meat, which attracts plenty of visitors.
A H’Mong girl sells Khen, a traditional musical instrument of the ethnic minority people.
A stall ran by a Nung couple selling knives draws attention from visitors.
Many women take with them their child to the market. 
Many people say that Bac Ha market is really worth visiting as it is authentic, original, and charming.