Thanh Luong Cattle Market

This vibrant market is not just a place for trading buffaloes and oxen; it embodies a unique cultural tradition in the Thanh Chuong District of Nghe An Province. Operating on the 2nd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 16th, 19th, 26th, and 29th days of each month, it is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Thanh Luong Cattle Market is recognized as the largest market of its kind in Nghe An. On trading days, approximately 350 buffaloes and oxen are bought and sold. What is most remarkable is the way transactions are efficiently managed in this open, fenced area, serving as a hub for livestock trade.
Photo: baonghean.vn 

Unlike farmers in other communes, residents of Thanh Luong do not typically raise oxen. Instead, they purchase and rear these animals until they are fit for sale. This practice does not hinder local sellers from earning approximately 5 million VND (around $210) each month. On fortunate occasions, they can see earnings rise to as much as 10 million VND (approximately $420) monthly.

The expansive nature of the market attracts vendors and buyers from outside Thanh Luong, including visitors from neighboring Ha Tinh Province. Regardless of their origins, all participants adhere to a golden rule: a commitment to bargaining. Buyers assess livestock based on various criteria, including strong legs, round hooves, large horns, a stout body, and healthy teeth. Interestingly, while monetary transaction norms apply in this market, cattle with white tails are often avoided, as they are believed to bring bad luck, including misfortune or death to the household.

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