Coc Ly Market, Sapa

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Buffalo at the market

It was a privilege to visit the Tuesday morning market at Coc Ly, in Lao Cai province near Sapa in north-western Vietnam.

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This is a real working market that draws huge number of Flower Hmong people each week to buy and sell fruit, clothing, electronic goods and animals, especially water buffalo. Enjoy our photo blog post!

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Flower Hmong people at the market
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Buffalo at the market
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Morning Market near Sapa
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Coc Ly Market
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One section of the market was dedicated to the buy and sell of water buffalos. One buffalo can cost as much as 10,000 USD.

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Interestingly, in Vietnam a man has to pay money to the bride's family when he gets married. Up in the highlands, the payment is often in buffalos. Our guide reckoned Enfys would be worth 3 buffalos, the maximum price.

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I make a new friend.