A new arena for cockfighting in Bac Ha Market in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has proved popular among fans of the blood-sport who gather each Sunday to watch the birds and bid to buy winners.

Men, particularly elderly men, in Bac Ha District are keen followers and champion fetch high prices, while others end up being sold by weight for the dinner table. The meat of a fighting cock is considered as a delicacy.

Bac Ha Market draws in owners of hundreds of fighting cocks

Men are enthusiastic fans

Many people bring their fighting cocks to the market for sale

Fierce fights

A transaction

A fighting cock is worth at least VND1m

Owners share tips on rearing fighting cocks

A winning cock is sold for VND2m

Contest champion fetches VND3m

Foreigners join the market