Luc Yen and Yen Bai are two provinces in the North West of Vietnam about 230km from Hanoi, rich in gemstones.

The main centre of the gemstone trade is in a small town called Yen The, in Luc Yen province. Recently a rival market has opened in Yen Bai, which is only 160km from Hanoi. The main attraction of the new market is that it is only 2.5hrs drive from Hanoi, as opposed to 4 hours to Luc Yen. Most of the gemstones come from Luc Yen and it is likely that dealers will start travelling to the Yen Bai market to better service buyers from Hanoi. The market in Yen Bai is about a quarter of the size of the one in Luc Yen as at 2024, but has a very interesting range of dealers.

Northern Vietnam is spoilt rotten with gemstones, Sapphire, Ruby, Spinel, Tourmaline, Garnet and less well known, Amazonite, Tektite, Pargasite and Humite.

Yen The has a daily morning market with about 80 different dealers, the vast majority of whom are female. There are male dealers, however I have rarely managed to buy anything from them and it seems that the women make the deals! The markets begin about 9am daily and carry on through until midday or whenever the dealers feel like it. Buying in the market is relatively easy even if you don’t speak Vietnamese, as all the gemstones are laid out on a small 50cm x 50cm table. You simply sit down, select your gemstone and say “Vietnam Dong, Cam On?”. This is equivalent to saying ‘how much’ in the local currency which is called Dong. If you don’t ask for the price in the local currency, they will quote in US dollars. The dealers will accept both US dollars and VND, however i always feel I get a better deal operating in the local currency. For example, if the price is USD 500, you might get USD50 off. However, the price in VND would be 12.5 million and I feel it is easier to get the price below, 10 million which is a bigger discount. (assuming 25 000VND = $1USD). It can be tricky trying to working out conversion rates but after a day or two you find it comes quite easily and there are always calculators on the phone you can use to check your mental calculations.

Interestingly the Vietnamese write 15 million as 15tr (trillion). I do not know why, but if you write 15m, they do not know what you are asking. Confusingly 1 500 000 can also be written as 1500k. It can get quite confusing.

So, you have asked for the price, the dealer will write a number on a piece of paper or punch the number into their phone, you simply scribble an alternate number if you think it is too high and so on. Often you will still be quoted in USD a lot of the time, if this happens, I simply reply with the price in VND!

You should only make a counter offer if you intend to buy. It is okay to stop negotiations if you can not agree on a price, however you really are committed to buy if the seller agrees with your price. If you don’t you will find it difficult to get prices from any other dealers. It is a very small town and your reputation will be quickly set. The difficulty in buying is the price, how much should you pay? I always say, “If you see it and you like it and you think the price is right, then buy it!” I do offer advice to my tour guests as to current market values and what I would expect or be willing to pay. I have had guests on my tour pay twice what I would expect to, but they were happy with the price and did not want my help. I first visited the market in 2016 and (other than during COVID), have been twice a year since, so I have a very good idea of market prices.

Spinels are getting more and more popular and the prices are starting to rise however they still offer great value for money, come in a great range of colours and large clean sizes.

Luc Yen is also known for an extremely rare gemstone, the Cobalt Blue Spinel. It is found in only small areas in the communes around An Phu about 20km from Yen The . These gemstones are very, very scarce and there are only a handful of reported gems over 1ct. Prices begin about $US10 000 per carat; these are seriously rare gemstones!

You can buy specimen pieces of these rare Spinels in the host marble, sometimes with Pargasite. The specimens are dotted with teeny, tiny octahedral crystals, displaying the full neon blue colour.

If you are interested in purchasing one of these rare gemstones, I do know a local broker who has access to top quality Cobalt Blues. He is able to source them at significantly better prices than I am able to. The largest one I have been able to buy is 0.2cts and it certainly was not cheap. I do have a few crystal shaped, gem quality pieces that are about 0.02cts (as at October 2024)

There are about 20 shops in Yen The where you can buy gemstones, specimens and jewellery. They even make paintings out of crushed gemstones.

You can even have paintings made to order. Simply take a photograph you want reproduced and within days they will replicate it for you. The paintings are done on an acrylic base and are very true to life. Natural gemstones are crushed into a fine powder, washed and dried in the sun and then applied on top of a layer of glue. The paintings can be done in any size up to a full sheet of acrylic (200cm x 150cm). I usually stick to A4 size. I have had people do portraits, but most often it is of their pets as a memoriam. The paintings themselves are quite reasonably priced, but Vietnam Post charges horrendously, so it’s best to order a week ahead and collect them when you get there. I usually take them back to Bangkok and post them home from there.

Yen The is easy to get to, there is a local bus service from Hanoi if you have nerves of steel, otherwise hire a car and driver and enjoy the ride. You will spend at least one hour on narrow windy roads and are likely to see trucks laden with 50 tonne slabs of marble hurtling towards you at just about every turn. There are plenty of motels, I recommend the Phuc Hung and the first coffee shop and restaurant you see near the school as you head to the morning market. Nobody speaks English (fair enough too!) so a lot of pointing and charades is required. If you go as an independent traveller, I wish you good luck, you will need it but will be well rewarded!

Luc Yen is a district located in the Yen Bai province of Vietnam, which is known for its abundant deposits of gemstones. The region is home to a variety of precious and semi-precious gemstones, including rubies, sapphires, spinels, tourmalines, and topazes.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the gemstones found in Luc Yen and their unique characteristics:

1. Ruby: The Luc Yen ruby is one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. The rubies found in this region are known for their intense red color, which is caused by the presence of chromium. The Luc Yen rubies are often small in size but are of excellent quality.
2. Sapphire: The sapphires found in Luc Yen come in a range of colors, including blue, yellow, green, and pink. These gemstones are known for their high clarity and brightness, making them popular among collectors and jewelry designers.
3. Spinel: Spinel is a lesser-known gemstone that is found in abundance in Luc Yen. The spinels found in this region come in a range of colors, including red, pink, blue, and purple. These gemstones are prized for their brilliance and durability, making them a popular choice for jewelry.
4. Tourmaline: The tourmalines found in Luc Yen come in a range of colors, including green, pink, and blue. These gemstones are known for their unique color patterns and high clarity, making them a popular choice for collectors and jewelry designers.
5. Topaz: The topazes found in Luc Yen come in a range of colors, including blue, yellow, and pink. These gemstones are known for their high clarity and brilliance, making them a popular choice for jewelry designers.

Overall, the gemstones found in Luc Yen are highly valued for their unique colors, high clarity, and durability. These gemstones are popular among collectors, jewelry designers, and enthusiasts who appreciate their beauty and rarity. If you’re ever in Vietnam, be sure to visit Luc Yen and explore the region’s rich gemstone heritage.

We fly to Hanoi (1hr 40mins) and take a mini van to Yen The (aka Luc Yen). The trip takes 4 hours and we make a comfort stop half way.

Yen The is the centre for gemstones in Northern Vietnam. There is a daily morning market of about 80 dealers selling Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Spinel and Tektites.  There are also many shops to buy gems from. We take a trip out into the surrounding countryside to meet the miners and you can buy direct from them!

We also get to watch the famous ‘gemstone’ paintings being made. You can even have a portrait done in gemstones!!

The whole town of Yen The is surrounded by marble mountains. The marble is exported to India and Italy. We sometimes visit the marble mines, depending on weather conditions.

In Yen we may meet a ‘local’ named Gier. He is a Norwegian who moved to Yen The in 2017. He and his Vietnamese wife Mai, will show us around and then take us to the best ‘restaurants’ for dinner, if they are in town. If they are not in town, I have them pre arrange everything for us. We spend two nights here as it is one of the highlights of the trip.

Luc Yen is a district located in the Yen Bai province of Vietnam. The district has a rich history that dates back centuries. Throughout its history, Luc Yen has been known for its gemstone deposits and has played a significant role in the gemstone trade in northern Vietnam. The gemstone mining industry  has contributed to the district’s economic development and cultural heritage.

Precious stones such as ruby, sapphire, and spinel are found in both primary and secondary deposits. This discovery brought attention to the region’s geological significance and sparked a mining boom in 1987. These gem deposits have attracted gemologists and traders from around the world due to the high quality and variety of gemstones found there.

Located in the northeast region of Vietnam, Luc Yen is a picturesque and rugged hill country close to the border with China. The area is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and rivers. Luc Yen is a rural district within Yen Bai province, with a population of 108,817 as of 2019. It is characterized by its unique geological features, shaped by a series of deformation episodes in Southeast Asia’s tectonic history.

Gemstone Deposits in Luc Yen

The mine is a notable site for gemstone extraction. The mine is known for its deposits of high-quality rubies and gem spinels. These gemstones are found within the Lo Gam metamorphic zone, which is part of the larger Red River shear zone. The geological characteristics of the area contribute to the formation of these precious gemstones, making this a significant source of gemstones in Vietnam.

The Luc Yen area in Vietnam’s Yen Bai province has a significant history related to gemstone mining. Gems such as ruby, sapphire, and spinel were discovered there in 1987, both in primary and secondary deposits. The area has rich tectonic history inherited from multiple deformation episodes in Southeast Asia. Luc Yen is a rugged and beautiful hill country located northeast of Hanoi and close to the border with China. It is a rural district with a population of 108,817 as of 2019.

Gemstone Market in Luc Yen

The Luc Yen gem market has been in operation for over 25 years, is situated at a picturesque corner of a lake in Yen The town, Luc Yen district. It serves as a center for trading gemstones and is a unique gem market in Vietnam. The Luc Yen mine, located in the district, is known for its ruby and gem spinel deposits. The area is part of the Red River shear zone and the Lo Gam metamorphic zone.

The gemstone market is located in Yen The, Township, Yen Bai Province, Vietnam. Known for its rich gemstone deposits, including rubies, sapphires, and spinels. The market has become a popular destination for gemstone enthusiasts and traders.

The gemstone market offers a wide variety of natural gems from Vietnam and other regions. The market features both cut and uncut stones, with prices varying depending on the quality and rarity of the gemstones. The market operates from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, and it attracts both local buyers and international visitors.

The gemstone market is known for its bustling atmosphere and is busiest during its limited operating hours. Despite its short opening time, the market offers a unique opportunity to explore and purchase gemstones directly from the source. It is a popular destination for gemstone collectors, jewelry makers, and those interested in the gemstone industry.

Other Tourist Activities in Luc Yen

In addition to its gemstone attractions, other tourist activities showcase the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the district. Visitors can explore the picturesque landscapes, including the stunning mountain ranges, lush valleys, and serene lakes.

The district is also known for its cultural values, which are deeply rooted in the national identity of Vietnam. Travelers can immerse themselves in the local culture by visiting historical sites, temples, and traditional villages. Luc Yen District provides opportunities for activities such as trekking, cycling, and exploring the surrounding nature, allowing visitors to experience the district’s natural and cultural treasures.

Overall, this is a destination that combines the allure of gemstone mining and trading with the exploration of natural landscapes and cultural heritage. Whether you are a gemstone enthusiast, a nature lover, or a cultural explorer, Luc Yen offers a unique and captivating experience.

Join us on our wholesale gem tour!

Gia article about mining in Luc Yen

Andy’s diary entry from 2020