Can Cau bird market in Sa Mi Cai District in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai is a sweet cacophony of birdsong every Saturday as hundreds of traders and bird lovers gather to buy and sell nightingales, and share tips on their care.
Can Cau bird market
Colourful cages hang from nearly every tree branch. Buyers and sellers haggle over prices, but most regular visitors, like Cu Seo Chua, come to hear them sing.
Chua said prices ranged from VND100,000 to VND1m. Many of the birds come from China.
The market mainly attracts men of many ethnic groups
Cages are displayed from tree branches
Can Cau bird market specialises in nightingales
Customers listen to the bird's song before making an offer
Many nightingales sold at the market are from China
