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A special Cloud Market amid misty peaks of Southern Vietnam

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Amid swirling morning mist on Nui Cam (Cam Mountain) in An Giang province, the ‘Cloud Market’ comes alive as a fleeting trading space and a striking cultural tableau of Vietnam’s southwestern highlands
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Cam Mountain has long been one of the most prominent eco-tourism and spiritual destinations in the Mekong Delta region.
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En route to Cam Mountain, visitors pass a series of well-known landmarks, from Thuy Liem Lake and Van Linh Pagoda to Phat Lon Pagoda, Bo Hong Shrine, and Thanh Long Stream
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Among the most captivating highlights is the poetic ‘Cloud Market,’ which gives the area its distinctive charm.
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The name ‘Cloud Market’ is inspired by the thick, swirling morning mist that envelops the mountain peak
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Shrouded in white mist, the shadowy stalls give the market an ethereal, floating appearance.
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The market has existed for a long time, but only became truly bustling after 2006, when the majestic Maitreya Buddha statue was inaugurated and pilgrims began flocking to the area, turning it into a vibrant local hub.
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Despite its precarious mountain-top location, the Cloud Market serves as a vital hub for the exchange of goods, meeting the essential needs of both residents and visitors.
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While some goods are brought up from the lowlands, the majority are local products made by residents in the area.
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Chau Liem, a 60-year-old local resident, says, “We mainly bring home-grown produce such as vegetables and fruits to the market. Life in the mountains is largely self-sufficient. Because the journey down to the lowlands is quite long, locals often bring their goods to the market to trade or exchange for daily necessities.”
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Beyond trade, the Cloud Market is a cultural space filled with human connection, where people gather, share everyday stories, and exchange experiences from work and life.
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Nguyen Thi Man, 69, shares, “I have been part of this market for nearly 20 years, ever since the early days when the roads up the mountain were still rugged.”
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“People here gather at the market very early. By around 5 a.m., everyone comes to arrange their goods, and gets ready for a new day,” Man notes.
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The market runs from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., with the liveliest trading activity spanning about two hours. Each market gathers around 50 vendors offering a rich variety of products such as meat, fish and specialty fruits.
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As the mist gradually lifts and the market crowds disperse, small-scale vendors make their way through winding alleys and mountain slopes to sell their goods to local households and visitors.
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Experiencing this unique market, Tram Van Tinh, 28, from Vinh Long province excitedly shares, “Amid the chilly morning mist of Cam Mountain, holding bánh bò thốt nốt (steamed rice cake with palm sugar) and savoring it slowly is truly a wonderful experience.”

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