Sin Ho market Lai Chau

Situated imposingly on the Sin Ho plateau of Lai Chau province, Sin Ho town is located on the highest peak, over 2,000 metres higher than sea level and surrounded by verdant mountain ranges and clouds.

The small town is also well-known as the second Sapa of the northwest area. But the climate in Sin Ho is even more sour and scornful than that of Sapa. Suddenly, you can be standing in a sea of white clouds, then, just several minutes later, the rain will rumble down like a waterfall. But right after the last rain drop falls, the sun will rise brilliantly and a cool wind will blow over the small town.
Visiting Sin Ho, tourists can join Sin Ho market, which is opened every Sunday. The market is regarded as the most crowded one with various types of commodities from foods, technological equipments, household utensils, etc. Many species of orchids are also sold here. Visitors can buy souvenirs in a big souvenir store in the market.

On Sunday morning, the sleepy town comes alive. From all paths up and down leading to the town centre, waves of tribes people walk or ride horses and motorbikes, all loaded with many kinds of farm products, toward the market. These tribes come from many unsociable villages up and down the mountains. They are Flower Hmong, Blue Hmong, Black Hmong, Lu, Black Dao and Red Dao, amongst others.

Apart from the Sin Ho market which is the most important highlight of any trip to Lai Chau, a trek to Pha Xo Lin village is also worth the journey. The village is located just three kilometres from the town centre. The village is home to the Dao Khau tribe, also known as the Sewing Dao, or the Black Dao, who wear black trousers richly embroidered with signature flower, tree and star patterns seen on many Dao costumes. They also wear a front hanging black apron with a wide, plain blue band around its outside, together with a plain black turban.

The Pha Xo Lin village is very gorgeous and poetic, with dark wooden houses roofed with black marble tiles and fenced in with marble hedges. It’s mouthwatering to walk in the village, where you can take a seat under the fruit trees to delight in lovely lanterns swinging in the cool winds and their fresh and sweet tastes. Pha Xo Lin village is very well-known for its special golden red mangoes, with their sweet taste and jackfruit-like flavour.

Besides its tasty fruits, Pha Xo Lin village is a shopping paradise of brocades and embroidery products. It’s common to see Dao women sitting at their thresholds in their front yards or under the fruit trees sewing passionately. While you’re there, don’t miss out on buying some clothes, scarves or other decorous things from the tribes people. Their products are very refined and gorgeous, as befitting of their name—the Sewing Dao tribe.