Colours of San Thang Kermis

San Thang kermis is the largest in Lai Chau province. It is not only the place for exchanging commodities, but also the rendezvous of the Dao, Mong, Thai, Giay and Lu ethnic people from the districts of Tam Duong, Phong Tho and Lai Chau city.

 
The kermis or Tam Duong, means t-junction in the Giay ethnic people’s language. During the French occupation, Tam Duong was the centre of present-day Lai Chau where there were roads connecting with the districts of Phong Tho, Binh Lu and Than Uyen. Therefore, the locals selected it as the place for exchanging commodities.

Due to the expansion of area together with a new road, Tam Duong now is not the centre of the region so the locals called the old market San Thang. 

San Thang kermis is opened every Thursday and Sunday. From early morning, the ethnic people of  Lu, Giay, Mong, Dao and Thai, in their most beautiful costumes, flock to the market with their diverse farm products, traditional  specialties and crafted objects, creating an animated space near San Thang stream.

For the locals, the market also provides a chance for them to meet and chat with each other and even relax.



Mong women in the communes of Ta Leng, Ho Thau and Sin Suoi Ho have to go to the market
from the early morning because it is far from their villages to the market. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

People of different ethnic groups exchange their goods at the market. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP


Mong women bring their chickens to the market. 

The Giay ethnic people in San Thang is known for making different kinds of noodles,
cakes and fresh rice vermicelli. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

The market is also the place for the locals to meet and chat with each other.
Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

A stall selling fabric made by the Giay ethnic people at San Thang market. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

A corner of the market with the colourful costumes of  Mong ethnic people. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

San Thang market is famous for rice vermicelli soup, a favourite dish of the locals. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

A unique feature of the market is that buyers need not bargain
with sellers over products. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP


Many commodities are sold at the market. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

Brocade and the five-colour thread of the Mong people. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

Lu women sell bamboo shoots at the market. Photo: Thong Thien/VNP

Many types of spices are sold at the market. Photo: Thong Thien/VNP

Traditional products made from rattan and bamboo by Dao women
from Ho Thau commune, Tam Duong district. Photo: Thong Thien/VNP

Giay ethnic people in the communes of Ban Giang and Ban Hon, Tam Duong district
are skillful in weaving baskets and other products . Photo: Thong Thien/VNP

Mong women from Ta Leng commune buy a bundle of sugar-cane for their children. Photo: Thong Thien/VNP

A Mong woman from Sin Suoi Ho commune sells cucumber seeds. Photo: Thong Thien/VNP

The market becomes crowded on Sunday morning. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

Happiness of children when they are going to the market with
their mothers on Sunday morning. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

Mong women sell pigs at the market. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

The market impresses any tourist with its unique features. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

Story: Viet Cuong - Photos: Viet Cuong & Thong Thien

From street kid to famous photographer

From street kid to famous photographer

Photographer Tran The Phong is well-known for his photos, featuring the daily lives around him and in places where he travels.

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