Shot by famous photographer Nguyen Xuan Khanh, the photos titled Cho Phien Tay Bac (Weekend Market in Northwestern Region) show the activities of ethnic groups like Mong, Dao and Nung in Lao Cai and Ha Giang provinces.

The images of Bac Ha and Dong Van weekend markets show dozens of shops made of bamboo selling accessories for making traditional ethnic clothing. They include red and dark blue belts, black skirts, and pink and yellow scarves. Then there are silver necklaces and rings and tin combs.

The photos capture the markets’ joyful atmosphere through the smiles on women and children’s faces. After all, the markets also double up as a place for entertainment for the ethnic minorities who end each day with parties serving traditional food like grilled pig’s trotters with pepper and maize wine.

Khanh is a lecturer of photography at the HCMC Theatre and Movie College. He has held many individual photo exhibitions in Vietnam and other countries like France and the US.

He is now doing photographic research on differences in cultures between countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Cho Phien Tay Bac is on show at the Institute for Culture Exchange with France, or IDECAF, on Thai Van Lung St , Dist 1, until September 19.