The fair opened early in the morning in the center of Bac Ha town on a day before the lunar New Year. The horse market is part of the Bac Ha market - the famous mountain bazaar that opens on Sunday.

A man tows his horse to the market.

They usually tether their horsed to the fence to make a stroll around the market before making transactions.

A man is introducing his horse. A good male horse is priced about VND35 million ($1,700).

Many horse traders come to the market to choose the best horses.

The bargain usually takes place very quick. 

The most expensive horses are young male horses that can be used as racehorses. In June, a horse-race is held in Bac Ha, attracting tens of thousands of tourists.

Like all mountain fairs in the northwestern region, the Bac Ha horse fair is not merely a market, but also a place where people meet each other once a week.