Meo Vac Night Market

As night falls over the Stone Plateau, amid the characteristic chill of the jagged karst landscape, the night market in the center of Meo Vac Commune comes alive, becoming a familiar meeting place for local people and visitors alike. Not as loud or bustling as tourist streets elsewhere, this night market has a rustic charm that vividly reflects the cultural identity of the highlands.

The Meo Vac Night Market is held every Saturday evening. Small stalls line the main streets of the commune center, with warm yellow lights casting a glow over colorful displays. Laughter and lively conversations blend with the resonant sound of Mong flutes, creating a cultural space that is both intimate and captivating.

Walking through the market, visitors easily encounter Mong, Dao and Lo Lo women dressed in traditional costumes, patiently introducing each piece of brocade they have woven by hand. Skirts, scarves and embroidered fabric bags with intricate patterns are not merely handicrafts, but also embody stories of daily life, beliefs and the aesthetic values of highland communities.

Cuisine is an unforgettable highlight of the Meo Vac Night Market. Amid rising plumes of smoke, local specialties such as thang den, buckwheat cakes, grilled corn, smoked sausages and steaming bowls of au tau porridge tempt passersby. Simple food stalls with just a few plastic chairs exude a warm sense of hospitality, enough to dispel the night chill of the rocky mountains.

More than a place for trading, the Meo Vac Night Market is also a space for community cultural exchange. After a day’s work, locals gather to meet and chat; young people from surrounding villages come to socialize, sing antiphonal songs and play the khen flute; visitors immerse themselves to experience the slow, authentic rhythm of life in the gray stone highlands.

In the journey toward sustainable tourism development on the Stone Plateau, the Meo Vac Night Market plays an important role as a cultural “touchpoint,” connecting people with the living heritage of the region.

Hai Dang