Moving from the Central Highlands to the northern mountainous provinces, Mong peoples in Vietnam still maintain their traditional fair practice. In Dak R'Mang commune, Dak Glong district, Dak Nong province, the fair is opened in every sundays.
“Vietnam: Northwest Fair in The Central Highlands”
Dak R'Mang commune has more than 600 Mong households who mainly migrate from Lao Cai province, Cao Bang province. The fair is considered as the big day of Mong people, therefore, all people will wear the beautiful brocades costumes to join the fair.
The market will begin to 7:00 AM, the most crowed at 11:00 AM-12:00 PM. Furthermore, the market will be the most crowed and excited in the last day of the year and the spring of the new year. At the time, people will buy a lot things but brocade costumes manly because you can buy all things in other places without brocades.
A women's outfit includes flowers shirt, tutu, belts, hats, shoes having price from VND 1-5 millions depending on materials and fitting attachment. A suit for children have price lower with VND 300.000- 400.000/suit. Although a suit for man has only a black shirt, it's still high price about VND 500.000/suit. However, the suits sell a lot for buyers because Mong people think that new suit for new year will get more lucky than usual.
Like a small Northwest, Dak R'Mang fair has full of flavor Hmong communities. Scene purchase was gentle, not bargain like other markets in urban places. The same as the market in the north, the Mong peoples also visit the fair to meet and hang out in the Central Highlands, exchange of manufacturing experience as well as the place for dating of the young couples. In addition, today the market is built solidly by government with the wide about 1.000m2.
When visiting Vietnam, tourists have a lot of choice depending on their habit. If you fall in love with the traditional market of the ethnic groups, you can book tour to visit Mai Chau or Sapa in the Central Highlands of Vietnam where you can join many interesting activities such as trekking, sightseeing and hiking.
Nguyen An Tra My
Martin Wynn
