 One corner of a mountain market day at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. (Photo: baomoi.com) |
Located 40 km west of Hanoi, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism is a great place to explore the cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.
The village is divided into ethnic village zones which recreate the houses and lifestyles of different ethnic groups.
Visitors can talk with ethnic minority people about their culture and experience a mountain market day, which is held on most major holidays.
A festive mountain market called “Enjoying Independence Day” was held from August 31 to September 3 this year to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day.
Northern ethnic minority groups like the Tay, Nung, Dao, and Mong and groups from the Central Highlands introduced visitors to their typical farm produce, customs, cuisine, folk games, and dances.
“Lang Son mountain market day” is recreated in Hanoi. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
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Nguyen Thanh Son, Director of the village's Management Board, said: “People usually think of buying or selling something at a market. But at a mountain market day at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, the farm produce and traditional dishes on display trigger an exchange of stories between locals and visitors. Visitors are intrigued and many show an interest in how these dishes are prepared.”
At a mountain market day, you will see bamboo houses roofed with leaves, pack horses, and local specialty products such as herbal medicines, brocade fabric, and traditional clothing. Ethnic artisans demonstrate traditional handicrafts on the spot. Visitor Nguyen Hoang said: “Tay and Nung ethnic people in Lang Son are famous for their roasted pork and duck. If you go to a mountain market day and don’t try that dish, it’s a great pity. I tasted it and bought some Mau Son wine and some Chi Lang custard-apples, a widely-known specialty of Lang Son province. I have been to mountain market days in several mountain areas. The most common characteristic of these markets is providing visitors interesting and unusual experiences.”