Ngam Poc Market - where the colors of the highlands converge

Held regularly every Sunday, Ngam Poc market in Yen Thang commune (Lang Chanh) is always crowded and bustling. People come to the market not only to buy and sell goods but also to meet, date, exchange, and participate in community cultural activities, contributing to preserving the traditional culture of ethnic groups in the highlands of Thanh Hoa.

Ngam Poc Market - where the colors of the highlands converge People come to buy and sell at Ngam Poc market.

Around 6 to 7 am, from the mountain slopes of Xang Hang village, Yen Khuong commune; Van village, Trang village, Ngam village, Yen Thang commune (Lang Chanh), people were bustlingly coming back. In particular, people from Can village, Cang village, Sam To district, Hua Phan province, Laos were also present to attend the market. Coming here, Ms. Lo Thi Nhuong, Trang village only brought a dozen chicken eggs and a few bunches of wild vegetables, but for her: "Every time there is a market, I bring a few bunches of vegetables, or eggs, chickens... to the market to sell. Coming here, in addition to buying and selling, I also get to meet some friends to ask about their health... The market also has Lao people, and tourists, so it is very crowded". As for Ms. Vi Thi Ngot, Van village, the baskets of goods brought to the market are all products harvested from the fields, in the home garden and there are dozens of tripods, family heirloom products... Ngam Poc market is not only a place to buy and sell but also a space for exchange imbued with local cultural identity.

The unique feature of the Ngam Poc market is the diversity and abundance of goods that the people bring. They carry on their backs specialties of the mountains and forests, local products such as: dried bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, upland sticky rice, cassava, potatoes, even just a few bunches of young green forest vegetables, a few whole honeycombs... Typical brocade items of the Thai people such as: skirts, shirts, threads... are also sold. Here, the people also sell daily necessities such as knives, hoes, shovels... All the goods that the people sell in the market are exchanged and bought and sold in a simple, honest way like the people of the highlands. What is special is that almost all the prices of the items are calculated in advance by the people, so it is difficult for buyers to bargain.

The highlight that makes Ngam Poc market unique is not only the typical products of the region but also the beauty in the traditional costumes of the Thai people here. The handicrafts are made by the skillful hands of Thai women such as: Thai skirts, Thai curtains, scarves, hats, and pineapple shirts. For the Thai people, on holidays, festivals or when the family has a big event, wearing traditional costumes is indispensable. Therefore, on market days, clothing stalls are always crowded with buyers and sellers. From the elderly to children, everyone is passionate about choosing the most beautiful costumes for themselves... For the ethnic people of Yen Thang commune, the market has existed for a long time, and has been closely associated with their traditional cultural life, especially on Tet holiday, when coming to the market, in addition to shopping for products, people also come to the market to exchange and meet. The elderly come to the market to ask each other about their health, exchange production experiences, and ways of doing business. The market is not only a place to diversify commercial activities, improve life and production, but also becomes a tourist product with special appeal to visitors.

Mr. Ha Van Hanh, Chairman of Yen Thang Commune People's Committee, said: "Ngam Poc is the first market in Lang Chanh district. Before 1981, people called it Yen Khuong market. After Yen Khuong commune was divided into two communes, Yen Khuong and Yen Thang (in 1981), the market was named Yen Thang, then changed its name to Ngam Poc market (because the market is located in Ngam village, Yen Thang commune). This is a border market in the highlands of Lang Chanh district, a place for trade between the people of Vietnam and Laos. Through the market, residents of Phon Xay village cluster, Sam To district, Laos and people in the border area of Lang Chanh, who have been friendly neighbors for many generations, regularly come and go to trade...".

Coming to Ngam Poc market, visitors can not only enjoy local specialties but also immerse themselves in the romantic Thai Khap melodies and the introduction of couples in traditional costumes. This will be an unforgettable experience for any visitor every time they stop by. Each stall in the market has its own interesting features, from traditional goods, jewelry to livestock and poultry.

"Today, the lives of the highland people have improved significantly. Along with that, the highland markets have also received investment attention, especially in infrastructure and traditional cultural spaces. The highland people do not trade regularly and are not small traders, so they always have the need to exchange and interact culturally when coming to the market. Therefore, the cultural space of the market needs to be preserved and developed, both to help people have the opportunity to meet and exchange, and to help tourists learn about local cultural values. For the local government, the Ngam Poc Market Management Board has been established and always maintains goods, especially agricultural products and local specialties. At the same time, it is also promoted for tourists from all over to come to exchange and trade goods at the highland market in Yen Thang commune" - Mr. Hanh added.

Article and photos: Tran Hang

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