Nghe An border market is packed with people in the bitter cold

Clip: Xuan Hoang - Quang An

Nam Can International Border Gate, Ky Son District on the morning of December 24 was more crowded than usual as people flocked here to attend Nam Can market, which is held every Sunday. Nam Can market has been established for a long time and has become an attractive destination, imbued with the cultural identity of the highland people of Vietnam and Laos. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Previously, the market only met twice a month on the 15th and 30th of each month. To enhance exchanges between the two countries, in 2018, the authorities of the two border provinces of Vietnam, Nghe An and Xieng Khouang (Laos), increased the number of border markets to four times a month, every Sunday. The market is bustling and colorful in the early morning mist. Photo: Quang An

Although the weather is only 3 - 5 degrees Celsius, Nam Can market is always crowded, the aisles in the market are packed with people visiting and shopping. Photo: Xuan Hoang

The market gathers many items, of which 70% are local agricultural products brought by people from both countries to trade. Photo: Quang An

Local vegetables are guaranteed to be fresh and green. Highlanders do not use pesticides. They are sold at 10,000 VND/bunch and are popular with many people. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Other items such as honey, wild ginseng, ginger, herbs, mac khen... are sold in a variety of stalls. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Children in the highlands are taken by their parents to buy Mong ethnic costumes at the market, which cost from 200,000 - 500,000 VND/set. Photo: Quang An

At this special market, people buy and sell using both Vietnamese and Lao currency after balancing the exchange rate. Photo: Quang An

Coming to Nam Can market, one cannot help but mention the special culinary dishes here, of which grilled dishes make up the majority, from grilled chicken, grilled pork, grilled intestines and sausages.... Photo: Xuan Hoang

The grilled dishes are marinated with spices and grilled over hot coals, both eye-catching and fragrant, making everyone want to enjoy them. Photo: Quang An

Food stalls also attract many visitors. In the cold, enjoying hot meat with typical Lao spicy dipping sauce makes everyone exclaim. Photo: Quang An

Meat stalls are always crowded with shoppers. Buffalo, beef, and pork are slaughtered on the same day, ensuring freshness for people to choose. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Wild rats are sold at Nam Can market for 50,000 VND each. Photo: Quang An

Children are also carried on their mothers' backs to go to the market during the last days of the year. Photo: Xuan Hoang

The border market has now become a destination for many tourists from the lowlands. Photo: Quang An

Source: https://baonghean.vn/cho-phien-vung-bien-nghe-an-chat-kin-nguoi-giua-cai-ret-cam-cam-post282161.html