(Baonghean.vn) – The Vietnam-Laos border market is held on the 10th, 20th, and 30th (Gregorian calendar) of each month in the area belonging to the Nam Can and Noong Het border gates. However, this market coincided with the Lunar New Year, so thousands of people crowded together to buy and sell goods in the cold, rainy weather of the border region.
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| This year's Vietnam-Laos border market took place close to Tet (Lunar New Year), so thousands of people crowded together to buy and sell. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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| Early in the morning, despite the rain, a large crowd had already gathered to buy specialty goods for the Lunar New Year celebration. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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| Stalls selling Chinese broccoli are set up densely on both sides of the market entrance. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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| At the stalls selling black chickens, the scene of buyers and sellers is just as bustling. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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| Due to the heavy rain, many people had to endure getting their clothes completely soaked when going to the market. In the photo: A mother carries her child to the market, covering the child tightly against her chest. Photo: Dao Tho. |
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At restaurants and eateries, people from both countries warmly and happily enjoy delicious food in the year-end weather. Photo: Dao Tho. |
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| People from both countries participated in cockfighting matches right at the market. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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| A Laotian mother and daughter huddle under an umbrella, taking a quick meal of sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes at the market before continuing their business. Photo: Ho Phuong |
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| Buying goats to eat during Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: Dao Tho. |
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| Even though it was well past noon, crowds continued to flock to the Vietnam-Laos market. This was truly a special "festival" in the border region. Photo: D.T. |
Dao Tho - Ho Phuong
