Through the Trails to the ‘Chinese Fair’

Photos and Text by Le Ha

“For ten years now, I’ve never missed a single Chinese fair,” says Ly Thi Xuan, who is of the Hoa ethnic group from Pho Bang town in Dong Van district, Ha Giang province in north-eastern Vietnam.

 The ‘Chinese fair’ is a weekly one held just five kilometres from this town -- but across the border in Yunnan, China, with which mountainous Ha Giang shares a border. Like Ly Thi Xuan, Pho Bang residents consider this fair in Ma Pung commune in Dong Cac district in Yunnan a big event, akin to a fair.


They are among the border communities in this part of Vietnam, many of them from different ethnic groups such as the Tay, Dao and Hmong and dressed in their colourful native attire, who go to Ma Pung regularly to check out what new products might be on sale.

But to get to Ma Pung, Vietnamese residents of Pho Bang need to go through the usual procedures to cross the border into China. Residents need an entry or exit visa at the border guard posts in both countries each time they cross to the other side. Passports for residents are issued by the People’s Committee in the commune.

This process seems fairly straightforward when it comes to facilitating the movement of people across an international land border, but it is not quite so for Pho Bang locals. Although just about everyone crosses over to the weekly market, not everyone has a passport – or sees the utility of getting one.

“I didn’t apply for the passport certificate,” Sung Thi Hoi, a 17-year-old resident who is with the Hoa (Chinese) ethnic group, said honestly. “I have used the shortcuts (to cross into China) since I was a little girl,” she continued. “There was a time I was caught by Chinese border patrol, but they let me go. I just buy miscellaneous things in the market without doing any harm.”

“Many Hmong ethnic minority people do not possess a passport too since they need to take a long, twisted road to get to the border patrol office to get an entry or exit visa,” she continued. “They would rather use shortcuts, which are much faster.”

These shortcuts are walking trails through rocky, mountainous terrain that many villagers prefer to use to cross the Vietnam-China border here at Vietnam’s northernmost point, even it they are physically more taxing than using the paved concrete roads that lead to the official border crossing.

From the Pho Bang border gate, people have to walk some three kilometres to the fair in Ma Pung. To avoid being accosted by Chinese border guards at the station located right on the road leading to the market, those coming from the Vietnamese side use a small path over the mountain that leads to the same market. Accustomed to using this rocky path, they walk swiftly and surely, not bothered a bit by the protruding rocky edges along the way.

Chinese influence in Pho Bang.

“Normally, people use the shortcuts with no problems. But there are times when they are stopped by Chinese border patrols who carry out careful examination at the checkpoint into the market,” explains Ly Thi Xuan.

According to Xuan, some Vietnamese villagers have been caught by Chinese border patrol and were punished by being asked to face the wall the whole day. That is light enough – if they did not obey those orders, they would get fined. This may be the case because the villagers from Pho Bang are just headed for a simple fair, so the patrol forces on both sides of the border are not too strict. Locals recall that when the border guards were stricter and barred people from using the trails, the visitors to the Chinese fair clearly thinned.

People from the Vietnam side of the border find the goods at the Ma Pung market cheaper than those at home. They are also on the lookout for items such as machines and gadgets like sewing machines, vegetable cutting machines and maize grinding machines, which are not easy to find in smaller markets in Ha Giang.

Xuan, for instance, is a tailor who often goes to Ma Pung to buy fabrics. She sometimes buys ready-made clothes to sell in the Ha Giang market as well.

Vua Mi No, a 17-year-old Hmong, is pleased with the vegetable cutting machine he bought at 200 renminbi (about 29 U.S. dollars), because he could not find one at home. “My mind is at rest with the machine’s one-year warranty,” he added.

At the market, it is not uncommon to hear several languages being spoken, or mixing languages in one conversation or commercial transaction. Pho Bang residents can be heard speaking to one another in more than language, since Ha Giang is a place where many ethnic groups are found. Some speak Kinh, the official Vietnamese language, but also Chinese. Some youngsters are fluent in Kinh and Chinese, as well as the language of groups like the Hmong.

Residents from towns farther than Pho Bang, such as those like Vua Thi Dinh from Yen Minh district, 30 km away, take the trouble of taking a bus to Pho Bang, staying overnight and going to the Ma Pung market early the next morning to purchase goods to sell again later. Some even make the trip across the border to Yunnan, China just to buy a kilogramme of meat or fruits for their families.

The Ma Pung market is busy for the first few hours of the morning, and soon winds down. As the market activity slows, the buyers who came to the market using the main, official road head home on the same route, and those who took the shortcut through the mountain trails will converge at a corner of the market before heading back that way.

No matter how heavy their purchase-filled baskets are on their backs, the visitors from the Vietnamese side make their way home on the winding, uneven paths as rapidly and as surely as they did on the way to Ma Pung.

(*This story, produced under the Imaging Our Mekong media fellowship programme 2007-08.)

See related story:

wholesale mlb jerseys

Thank you for your sharing.I'm very interested in wholesale mlb jerseys | wholesale mlb jerseys.There are so many famouse mlb stars jerseys,we have Derek Jeter Yankees Jersey | Derek Jeter Yankees Jersey.So I an fascinated to the Chase Utley Phillies Jersey | Chase Utley Phillies Jersey,no matter any one of mlb stars juse like Joe Mauer Twins Jersey | Joe Mauer Twins Jerseyand Dustin Pedroia Red Sox Jersey | Dustin Pedroia Red Sox Jersey,which are my best witness as the Albert Pujols Cardinals Jersey | Albert Pujols Cardinals Jersey fans!

wholesale nfl jerseys

Peyton Manning Colts Jersey | Peyton Manning Colts Jersey
Anquan Boldin Ravens Jersey | Anquan Boldin Ravens Jersey
Brandon Marshall Dolphins Jersey | Brandon Marshall Dolphins Jersey
Tom Brady Patriots Jersey | Tom Brady Patriots Jersey
Troy Polamalu Steelers Jersey | Troy Polamalu Steelers Jersey
Ndamukong Suh Lions Jersey | Ndamukong Suh Lions Jersey
Tim Tebow Broncos Jersey | Tim Tebow Broncos Jersey
Sam Bradford Rams Jersey | Sam Bradford Rams Jersey
It was a very nice idea! Just wanna say thank you for the information you have shared wholesale nfl jerseys | wholesale nfl jerseys. Drew Brees Saints Jersey | Drew Brees Saints Jersey.Philip Rivers Chargers Jersey | Philip Rivers Chargers Jersey.Reggie Bush Saints Jersey | Reggie Bush Saints Jersey.If you pay attention on the Tim Tebow Broncos Jersey | Tim Tebow Broncos Jersey,you will see that so many famouse nfl stars jerseys such as Troy Polamalu Steelers Jersey | Troy Polamalu Steelers Jersey.Now we also have Brett Favre Vikings Jersey | Brett Favre Vikings Jersey.Additionally, we also provide you with comfortable and fashionable Donovan McNabb Redskins Jersey | Donovan McNabb Redskins Jersey.Just have Tom Brady Patriots Jersey | Tom Brady Patriots Jersey now!







Supra TK Society now is

Supra TK Society now is popular around the world, Supra Shoes 50% off, welcome to official onlineshop for Supra Footwear, supra skate shoes enjoy good quality, supra sneakers are on promotion now!

windows 7 key online AUTHORIZED RETAILER

Windows 7 key hot sales,cheap price,up to 33% off,only $9.99
Genuine Windows 7 KEY online MICROSOFT AUTHORIZED RETAILER
Provide windows 7 digit download,just buy the key to active.
100% guarantee activation,or money back.
(http://www.salekey.net)

MICROSOFT windows 7 key

Windows Vista Keyonly$9.99

Windows XP Keyonly$9.99

Windows Server 2008 key

Windows 2003 Key

Office 2010 key

Office 2007 Key

Other Office Key

p90x dvd

ROSETTA STONE DVD LEVEL 1-5,27DISK only $250


LOW PRICE,UP TO 33% OFF+FREE SHIPPING!

MBT 23 Shoes

coach bags, coach bags


vibram shoes, vibram shoes


chanel bags, chanel bags


MBT Shoes, MBT shoes


Cheap Christian Louboutin Shoes

We have Cheap Christian Louboutin Shoes | Cheap Christian Louboutin Shoes with top quality for women show women's taste.A pair of Christian Louboutin Boots | Christian Louboutin Boots in your closet will help you to transform any outfit.Christian Louboutin thigh high boots | Christian Louboutin thigh high boots are going mainstream.Choose the height of the heels to suit your personal preference. And Christian Louboutin Tall Boots | Christian Louboutin Tall Boots are coupled with sound support to showcase their beautiful legs.Christian Louboutin not only provide a variety of pumps, sandals, but also Christian Louboutin Ankle Boots | Christian Louboutin Ankle Boots.With Christian Louboutin sandals | Christian Louboutin sandals,you'll be charming, sexy, and so sophisticated.It seems that people who always love to choose Christian Louboutin short boots | Christian Louboutin short boots.Never be surprised if someone tells you she got a pair of Christian Louboutin Pumps | Christian Louboutin Pumps proudly.However many forget that they have some interesting Christian louboutin men's shoes | Christian louboutin men's shoes designs up their sleeves.

If you are looking fovibram

If you are looking fovibram five fingers. We can provide for numerous models,different colors, and high quality materials. All these may be said about the popularvibram five fingers clearance. Just the shoes which change the world! Nowadays there are so many fakes of high quality vibram five fingers shoes. The genuine Michael jordan shoes are very comfortable and you even will be eager to walk home in them. If want to look for more comfortable shoes.We have a huge selection ofvibram fivefingers online discount.

very nice post, great job, dude!

designer bagsAll latest designation of 2010
discount designer bags do you know where to buy
cheap gucci all the top qulality guarantee
Replica Handbags 100% customer positive feedback
Replica Louis Vuitton Handbags the most powerful supplier of
discount louis vuitton handbags but the best quality guarantee
Fake Louis Vuitton Handbags Big value for collection
Fake handbags help you saving more

nike shox 2010 latest desination styles
nike shoes sale at the most discount prices
nike shox sale help you saving more
cheap Nike shox at nikesshox.com
discount Nike shox but top quality guarantee for your collection
wholesale Nike shoes 100% positive customers feedback
shox running shoes Great value enjoy shopping
buy nike shox at the most valueable prices
Nike shox shoes Big saving at nikesshox.com

The 21 centruy most powerful fitness workout Insanity
Do you know where to buy Insanity DVD online
Want to get perfect shape buy insanity dvd
click here to get some Insanity review
You must want to get some review about Insanity program
Here's the place for you to buy cheap insanity dvds
Review the Shaun T insanity workout which is may the right workout for you

The GHD perfect gift for ladies
Review some latest styles of ghd straighteners
uk ghd straighteners
The best place of ghd hair straighteners
You may want to know the ceramic hair straighteners which is best
Best quality of uk ghd guarantee
Do you know where to buy cheap GHD

Get some review of p90x
Most people now choose to take the Tony p90x
The perfect gym program of p90x program
Do you know where to buy discount p90x
Get into shape is the best thing everp90x fitness workout help you more

ugg boots london

The ugg boots london different designs,
The ugg boots sale on sale online,
The UGG Classic Tall Boots fashion style
The UGG Classic Cardy Boots soft ,
The ugg sale clearance productivity
The ugg saappaat unique,
The ugg helsinki soft ,
The uggs norge on sale online,
The uggs nederland perfect,
The ugg deutschland super,
The ugg schuhe lovely,
The ghd iv styler unique,
The GHD IV Pure Styler excellent,
The GHD IV Kiss Pink Styler fashion styler
The vibram five fingers lovely
The five fingers running comfortable,
The five fingers shoes especially easy collocation.
The vibram five different designs
The vibram five fingers unique

How to be more fashionable?

If you are a woman want to

If you are a woman want to live by the latest appearance rather than an appearance, then accept purchase Louboutin copies of the victim Christian shoes.christian louboutin shoes trademark protection of this red sole design.cheap christian louboutin shoes,louboutin shoes,christian louboutin boots,christian louboutin pumpschristian louboutin shoeschristian louboutin sale,cheap christian louboutin,cheap christian louboutin
www.mychristianlouboutinshoes.com

The impactchristian

The impactchristian shoes
christian wedges of reduced competition for several months, as determined in the letter of the AttorneyChristian Louboutin PlatformsGeneral Louboutin shoes, christian pointyThursday is expected to result in the imposition of the rule, the water of indigenous energy conchristian bootsservation and holds several wars General. (42 USC 6295 (o) (2) (B) (i) and 6316 (a))
In addition, EPCA B, as amended (42 USC 6295 (o) (2) () Christian Louboutin Sandals(iii) and 6316 (a) ) provides a rebuttable presumption that the standard is economically justified for the months of coverage for the product if the Secretary findsChristian Louboutin d'Orays that additional cost christian pumpsto thechristian slingbacks consumer for a product thatChristian Louboutin d'Orays meets a level of Louboutin pumps of theChristian Louboutin Pumps standard will be lower energy, if you want, and buyChristian Louboutin Slingbacks three times the value of the energy (and possibly water) savings christian sandalsin the firstchristian louboutin boots year, the consumer mayChristian Louboutin Mary Janes calculate the following standard that, as part of the investigation * * * in christian louboutinrather than the ruleChristian Louboutin Boots. See section Christian Louboutin RoundIII.D.2. Christian Louboutin Mary Janes

coach bags

coach bags, coach bags


vibram shoes, vibram shoes


chanel bags, chanel bags


MBT Shoes, MBT shoes


cheap ugg

Ugg boots are fast becoming a hot fashion item in the US and Canada, and Ugg boots sale also grows in popularity very quickly. There are few women who have not heard of the famous sheepskin UGG boots that are very comfortable and lovely at the same time. In 2010, women's ugg classic tall and ugg classic short boots become two of the top-selling styles of ugg boots. You can see lots of women wear them here and there. Of course, some other styles are also popular among girls, such as ugg sundance II, ugg classic mini, ugg ultra tall, ugg ultra short and so on. Ugg classic cardy boots are designed to be worn barefoot, which has suede heel guards that can protect you from hurting. you can pair it with your skinny jeans or mini skirt. If you like something special, you can try ugg bailey button, which has a knitted shaft with three buttons down the side. It adds a flair flavor to the look. There are so many uggs on sale stores online, so it's essential to scan several stores to select the high quality and cheap ugg boots. Uggs boots are great footwear for anybody. From the very young to the very old a pair of uggs will be comfortable and enjoyable to wear. By the way, welcome here for this season's clearance on ugg outlet.

uggs london

vibram five fingers classic vibram five fingers classic
ugg of london sale ugg of london sale
air max bw air max bw
ugg in london ugg in london
ugg boots in london ugg boots in london
tiffany necklace heart tiffany necklace heart
tiffany necklaces tiffany necklaces
ugg bailey button boots grey ugg bailey button boots grey
tiffany sets tiffany sets
womens bailey button ugg boots womens bailey button ugg boots
nike air max tn nike air max tn
ugg bailey ugg bailey
air max classic air max classic
discount vibram fivefingers discount vibram fivefingers
uggs london uggs london
five fingers classic five fingers classic
tiffany necklaces on sale tiffany necklaces on sale
cheap ugg boots london cheap ugg boots london
tiffany necklace heart tiffany necklace heart
ugg boots london ugg boots london
ugg bailey button ugg bailey button
ugg boots in london shops ugg boots in london shops
five fingers discount five fingers discount

NFL Jerseys Wholesale

No matter you want to Convert

No matter you want to Convert PDF files to images, like jpeg, bmp, tiff or convert images to pdf file, this PDF Files Converter will always be your best PDF converting partener.
it isn't boring you any more to Convert PDF to GIF after installing PDF to GIF Converter. Don't you want to convert PDF to GIF independently? Just try!
PDF to BMP is the best PDF to BMP Converter which can convert PDF to BMP at super speed and lossless quality so that users can read their PDF files with BMP formats without the special PDF reader.
Convert PDF to GIF and other image formats, it is your best choice to take this PDF to GIF converter.

How to choose shoes

Time passed quickly, time flies. Beauty means even more advanced, also can not withstand natural laws. However, Britain's daily mail health column, all sorts of new research shows that people lives there are 22 points in life make a small change, can let you from aging and disease.

Life is a learning process.Using Rosetta Stone, not only learning the syntax and vocabulary,but also form their own language learning, language learning in any environment and at any time boost. Students in the same session as in the situation with their own sentence to learn how to identify, association, deductive and inductive skills to learn the language, not dependent on translation and memory. Students have started using these methods. Even if not familiar with the syntax will find out unfamiliar words using context, meaning, identify root, infer meaning.

gucci bags outlet

2010.8.25 ZMF Designer handbag Sale Online: Mulberry Bags, Gucci Bags, Chanel Bags, Choose Your Style. We have fashion and luxury mulberry alexa bags, Newest design, first round of global! Women coach bags online are also hot sale now. We are proud to offer you the newest design gucci bags Singapore. And Chanel bags 2010 in such a way society. Discount the elite classes are really hard to face the popular, but today is your lucky day. We should bring you great Miu Miu Handbag, all within the unmatched fantasy discounts. Please kindly waiting for the excellent and latest designer leather handbag!

NFL Jerseys 2010 NFL 1st

NFL Jerseys
2010 NFL 1st Round Draft Jerseys
2010 Probowl Jerseys
2010 Superbowl Jerseys
2009 Pro Bowl Jerseys
Women NFL Jerseys
Youth NFL Jerseys
2009 Super Bowl XLIII Jerseys
2008 Pro Bowl Jerseys
Arizona Cardinals Jerseys
Atlanta Falcons Jerseys
Baltimore Ravens Jerseys
Buffalo Bills Jerseys
Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys
Cleveland Browns Jerseys
Carolina Panthers Jerseys
Chicago Bears Jerseys
Denver Broncos Jerseys
Dallas Cowboys Jerseys
Detroit Lions Jerseys
Green Bay Packers Jerseys
Houston Texans Jerseys
Indianapolis Colts Jerseys
Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys
Miami Dolphins Jerseys
Minnesota Vikings Jerseys
New England Patriots Jerseys
New York Jets Jerseys
New York Giants Jerseys
New Orleans Saints Jerseys
Oakland Raiders Jerseys
Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys
Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys
San Diego Chargers Jerseys
San Francisco 49ers Jerseys
Seattle Seahawks Jerseys
St Louis Rams Jerseys
Tennessee Titans Jerseys
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys
Washington Redskins Jerseys
Houston Oiler Jerseys
NFL Jackets
NFL Cowboys Jacket
NFL Giants Jacket
NHL Jerseys
09 All Star Jerseys
Kids NHL Jerseys
2010 OLYMPIC Canada Jerseys
Montreal Canadiens Jerseys
Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys
Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys
Detroit Red Wings Jerseys
New Jersey Devils Jerseys
Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys
Boston Bruins Jerseys
Calgary Flames Jerseys
Washington Capitals Jerseys
Edmonton Oilers Jerseys
San Jose Sharks Jerseys
Los Angeles Kings Jerseys
Toronto Maple Leafs Jerseys
Vancouver Canucks Jerseys
New York Rangers Jerseys
Minnesota Wilds Jerseys
Buffalo Sabres Jerseys
Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys
Colorado Avalanche Jerseys
Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys
Phoenix Coyotes Jerseys
Ottawa Senators Jerseys
ST.LOUIS BLUES Jerseys
New York Islanders Jerseys
New york Jets Jerseys
Columbus Blue Jackets
MLB Jerseys
Anaheim Angels Jerseys
Atlanta Braves Jerseys
Boston Red Sox Jerseys
Chicago Cubs Jerseys
Chicago White Sox Jerseys
Cincinnati Reds Jerseys
Cleveland Indians Jerseys
Detroit Tigers Jerseys
Kid MLB Jerseys Jerseys
Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys
Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys
Minnesota Twins Jerseys
MLB 2009 ALL STAR GAME JERSEYS
New York Mets Jerseys
New York Yankees Jerseys
Orioles Jerseys
Philadelphia Phillies Jerseys
Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys
Rays Jerseys
San Diego Padres Jerseys
San Francisco Giants Jerseys
St.Louis Cardinals Jerseys
Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys
NBA Jerseys
2008 olympic Basketball Jerseys
North Carolina Jerseys
2009 NBA ALL STAR Jerseys
Miami Heat Jerseys
Atlanta Hawks Jerseys
New York Knicks Jerseys
Boston Celtics Jerseys
Orlando Magic Jerseys
Charlotte Bobcats Jerseys
Philadelphia 76ers Jerseys
Chicago Bulls Jerseys
Washington Wizards Jerseys
Cleveland Cavaliers Jerseys
New Orleans Hornets Jerseys
Denver Nuggets Jerseys
Indiana Pacers Jerseys
Detroit Pistons Jerseys
Toronto Raptors Jerseys
Los Angeles Lakers Jerseys
Milwaukee Bucks Jerseys
Minnesota Timberwolves Jerseys
Dallas Mavericks Jerseys
Houston Rockets Jerseys
Phoenix Suns Jerseys
Utah Jazz Jerseys
Sacramento Kings Jerseys
Memphis Grizzlies Jerseys
San Antonio Spurs Jerseys
Golden State Warriors Jerseys
Seattle SuperSonics Jerseys
L.A. Clippers Jerseys
Portland Trail Blazers Jerseys
New Jersy Nets Jerseys

One way to buy cheap jerseys

One way to buy cheap jerseys is shopping online, NFL jerseys at nfljerseys-shopping.com are sold at a discount, most of football jerseys are having promotion. Why not action now?

nfljerseys

We have many nfl jerseys in stock,if you need ,you can open nfl jerseys site.

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • You may use [view:viewname] tags to display listings of nodes.

More information about formatting options

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters (without spaces) shown in the image.