Best Shopping & Malls in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam
Shopping in Lao Cai Province
- Traveler favoritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveler rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
Category types
Shopping
Traveler rating
Good for
14 places sorted by traveler favorites
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Flea & Street Markets • Farmers Markets
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Speciality & Gift Shops
Open now
Speciality & Gift Shops
Speciality & Gift Shops
Open now
Speciality & Gift Shops
Multi-day Tours • Scavenger Hunts
Open now
What travelers are saying
- Kelly RockShenzhen, China8 contributionsWe were picked up at the train station after taking the overnight train from Hanoi. Our guide was a local village girl who did an amazing job explaining things and helping us negotiate prices from the vendors - we bought a few purses and our my 10-year old daughter bought a skirt she wore for 5 days straight! You can find EVERYTHING at the various parts of the market. I highly recommend going with a local guide for the great stories! And animal lovers (and sensitive children), go through the animal section quickly!Written February 13, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Michael PSapa, Vietnam4,241 contributionsLocated 22 highway miles (35 km) northwest of Bac Ha the market in Sin Cheng is held every Wednesday morning. Similar to the market in Coc Ly, it is small but very lively. Like all of the markets in Bac Ha, the local Flower Hmong women and girls dress in their best costumes. There is a good-sized area where water buffalo are bought and sold in addition to the usual chickens, ducks, and pigs. The 60-minute drive from Bac Ha town offers spectacular views of the district’s highest peaks. There is no public transportation to Sin Cheng; the closest place to find a bus is 5 miles (8 km) away in Si Ma Cai. Most tourists visit the market as part of an organized tour. Transportation options are limited to hiring a car, renting a motorbike or by motorcycle taxi (xe ôm in Vietnamese) from Bac Ha town.Written January 1, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- feltroneuGeorge Town, Malaysia2,337 contributionsIt took about 30 minutes to walk from Chapa Dew hotel to Sapa market with the help of GPS. The view around Sapa town is amazing and charming. When approaching Sapa market, we saw there were some tourist buses at the car park however when we got into the market, most of the shops were closed. Maybe we went at wrong timing (around 2pm +). The hall is big and there are 2 floors full with stalls. Since many of the shops were closed we just quickly went through the stalls where they were selling almost same things. It is a local Vietnamese style market.Written April 6, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Michael PSapa, Vietnam4,241 contributionsAnother market well known for colorful minority people and one of a handful where large livestock (cows and buffalo) are still traded. I have been to this market many times as it is easy enough to reach by bus from Bac Ha town center.
Located 12 highway miles (19 km) north of Bac Ha, the small village of Can Cau hosts a smaller version of the Bac Ha market every Saturday morning. Overlooking a beautiful valley blanketed in rice terraces and cornfields, the market is spread out over a fairly large area. Situated along provincial road DT- 153, it feels less crowded, and until recently had fewer tourists than the market in Bac Ha. Since many of the vendors are selling their wares on the highway itself, it is easier to move around and take photographs.
Much like Bac Ha, Can Cau market attracts the colorfully dressed Flower Hmong people who both buy and sell fresh produce, livestock, farming equipment and all sorts of clothing and household goods. In the very back of the market is a long-curved path where vendors sell handicrafts, trinkets, and souvenirs to a growing number of tourists.
The trip from Bac Ha to Can Cau takes about forty minutes, so I recommend getting an early start. The market can be reached by bus or motorcycle taxi; a one-way moto ride costs around 200,000 VND. Another option is to hire a motorcycle taxi and after seeing the market make a tour of the surrounding area. Drivers can be arranged through hotels to do a six to eight-hour sight-seeing tour for around $30 USD.
To reach Can Cau by bus, take any of the local ones marked "Là o Cai - Bắc Hà - Si Ma Cai". These buses pass directly in front of the market which happens to be on the main road between Bac Ha and Si Ma Cai. Since buses make frequent stops, the journey takes at least one hour. The cost, each way, is 40,000 VND.Written December 30, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - chiangmaicharliesChiang Mai, Thailand5,615 contributionsSupposedly built by the Chinese, for Chinese tourists.
A real out-of-character building in the centre of town, next to Quang Truong Square and across from the Stone Church. It is not yet completed but will hold tourist stores and a supermarket. Some of those are already there and selling tourist 'tat'.
It serves one purpose for the discriminating tourist - it houses the funicular railway station to start your ascent up Mount Fansipan.
Other than that, best left alone.Written November 21, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Oliwia9 contributionsI am greatly interested in art of fabrics. My husband took me for super treking combined with batik workshop from Indigo Cat. We had a scenic walk for about 10 km from Sa Pa to Ta Van village where the sweetest and lovely teacher had showed me the secrets of batik making and indigo. You have to reserve minimum 3 hours for the whole process. It is such a meticulous and complex craft and everyone interested in artisan work and diy will greatly enjoy it. My teacher was very patient and truly applied learning by doing method of educating. I was so satisfied with observing her work, teach and also happy with the effect. Additionally we made a little shopping on the spot. Highly recommend this very unique and rare experience.Written February 9, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- r0landbrunnerZurich, Switzerland1,716 contributionsThe Coc Ly Tuesday market is very colorful and much more authentic then the bigger market in Bac Ha and especially more so then the whole Sapa setting, even if also here tourists start coming in more and more. the buffalo fair with hundreds of buffalos to be traded is amazing.Written December 3, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- may shechter16 contributionsHe is an amazing person with an amazing family so it is very recommend to come and stay with him. He is also have a gallery shop with stone design, breathtaking!!!Written October 1, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Sophine Tan4 contributionsWhen I visited Lan Anh Shop dealing with tribal handcraft handmade products that provided good services & good discount. I would like to recommend to all visitors who like to buy souvenirs or gift that they bring back to home country. Satisfied guaranteed.Written February 9, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- bakerlauraAdelaide, Australia3 contributionsEnsure you visit Cat Cat Village in Sapa and go to Linh Handicraft. The handmade and dyed goods, from clothing to books are gorgeous. Lots of amazing local art as well. Owners are so friendly and it was a pleasure meeting them.Written September 4, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- ErvinaSingapore, Singapore1,693 contributionsDuring my 2nd trip to Sapa, I spotted this shop, such a gem!
This is now my favorite gift and souvenir shop in Sapa. This shop is located opposite La Coupole Sapa where we stayed, and along Fansipan Road.
We bought 2 pcs of large display handmade embroidery – Hmong and Red Dzao types, a cushion case, a table runner & a sling bag.
Absolutely love the 2 Lady Owners, they gave us special discount, it’s the only gift shop in Sapa that extends discount. You can see the Senior Lady Owner sewing the pieces with her machine, and she even showed me the original piece of embroidery. So it is authentic
They were even so kind to give us the bamboo poles to accompany the big pieces of display embroidery. We were also invited to visit their village but it was our last day at Sapa.
Highly recommended!Written January 20, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - ErvinaSingapore, Singapore1,693 contributionsThere are 2 outlets of Sapa Hemp – main store at Cau May Street and another store at the basement of Sun Plaza, same building as La Coupole Sapa where we stayed.
During my first trip to Sapa in May 2019, we spotted this shop at Sun Plaza and bought the cushion and pillow cases. At our 2nd trip in Dec 2019, we went to the main store, and bought 2 pcs of table runner and 2 coasters.
This is the most expensive gift shop in Sapa. I even heard a tourist exclaimed ~ wow wow wow wow wow ~ after asking the price. And they do not offer a single cent of discount!
Albeit pricey, we did not hesitate to buy what we loved, and you can be sure of getting the most luxurious and high quality products.
Especially the pieces with red colored hemp – it feels so smooth and luxurious, it will surely wow your visitors at home. We shipped a piece of the table runner to the U.S., and my mother-in-law was very impressed with the quality.
If you would like something less expensive but good quality, check out Ahn Duc Shop which I also bought some pieces from there.
https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Attraction_Review-g311304-d19801108-Reviews-Anh_Duc_Shop-Sapa_Lao_Cai_Province.htmlWritten January 20, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - HillaryMaiHanoi, Vietnam1 contributionReal local Culture and care for natural environment. Very nice fresh food and herbal drinks.
Luxury and boutique.Written December 9, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lao Cai Province
- These experiences are best for shopping in Lao Cai Province:
- Discover culture & nature of special markets in Sapa
- Imcomparable special tour in Sapa
- 3 days to experience the best local things of Sapa
- These places are best for shopping in Lao Cai Province:See more shopping in Lao Cai Province on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly shopping in Lao Cai Province:See more budget-friendly shopping in Lao Cai Province on Tripadvisor