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20/11/2024
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1. The origin of Khau Vai Love Market
With over a century of history, Khau Vai Love Market in Khau Vai Village, Meo Vac District, Ha Giang Province is a distinctive annual gathering held only once a year. The name “Khau Vai,” from the Tay-Nung language, translates to “thorny mountain pass.”
Also humorously called the “Love Market” by the locals, this gathering’s origin traced back to a tragic yet beautiful love story between a Nung ethnic man named Ba and a Giay ethnic woman named Ut. Forbidden by family and society, their love remained unfulfilled due to differing customs and backgrounds. They ultimately parted ways to honor family commitments. However, they promised to meet at Khau Vai each year on the same day. Here, they would share stories, reminisce, and celebrate their love. After their deaths, the villagers erected two shrines in memory of them, transforming the annual gathering into a love market.
Khau Vai Love Market is a unique cultural festival in Ha Giang, Vietnam (Source: Collected)
2. The cultural values of Khau Vai Love Market
Khau Vai Love Market is an expression of cultural heritage for the ethnic communities of Ha Giang. This event celebrates love, inspiring a sense of togetherness within the highland community in Meo Vac. It provides a space for ethnic groups such as the Hmong, Tay, Nung, and Giay to showcase their traditions, all while contributing to the promotion of tourism in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
In 2021, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism officially recognized the “Social Practices and Beliefs of Khau Vai Love Market” as a national intangible cultural heritage. This honor reinforces the love market’s significance as a heritage site that preserves ethnic diversity, strengthens cultural pride, and develops tourism in the region.
Khau Vai Love Market, Vietnam is a celebration of local traditions (Source: Collected)
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3. Highlights of the Khau Vai Love Market Festival
Recently, Khau Vai Love Market has been transformed into the Cultural Tourism Week of the Khau Vai Love Market Festival. It features a variety of cultural activities aimed at attracting tourists. The market usually lasts around three days, with the main market day still taking place on the 27th day of the 3rd lunar month.
3.1. Traditional practices
The festival consists of a ceremonial part and a festive part. The ceremonial part pays tribute to the two ancient shrines dedicated to Ba and Ut, honoring them with incense and offerings. This act commemorates the roots of Khau Vai and its timeless significance as a place for shared love. The festive part is rich with age-old practices like weaving, making sticky rice cakes, and enjoying folk games.
3.2. Folk art performances
The highlight of the market is its traditional music and dance performances. Visitors are captivated by the soulful sounds of the Hmong’s khen flute to the folk songs of the Nung people, which are accompanied by ethnic dances like the Lo Lo drum dance or the Giay scarf dance. These performances provide an insight into the cultural artistry that characterizes Vietnam’s northern highlands. Visitors often find themselves joining in with the local people, bonding through joyful cultural exchanges.
Khau Vai Love Market, Vietnam has been celebrated for over 100 years (Source: Collected)
3.3. Unique souvenirs
Khau Vai Love Market Vietnam offers a range of handmade crafts that make perfect souvenirs. From skillfully woven fabric to intricately crafted jewelry, each item captures the artistry of Ha Giang’s ethnic groups. Visitors can purchase these unique souvenirs to bring a piece of this special place back home.
3.4. Local foods
Khau Vai Love Market is also a feast for the senses, especially when it comes to the local cuisine. Signature dishes include thang co (a stew made from horse meat) and corn wine, a favorite among travelers. Colorful sticky rice with herbs is also a must-try here.
Check out: Northern Vietnamese food: Top 26 irresistible culinary gems
4. Guide for tourists visiting Khau Vai Love Market
4.1. How to get there?
Khau Vai Village is roughly 200 kilometers away from Ha Giang City. This distance is typically covered by motorbike or car. To go from Ha Giang City to Khau Vai Village, you can follow this route: Ha Giang City – Tam Son – Yen Minh, Sung La Junction, Pho Bang – Sa Phin Junction – Lung Cu – Lung Cu Flag Tower – Dong Van Old Quarter, Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac. This route provides an unforgettable road trip through some of Vietnam’s most spectacular landscapes.
Explore all the routes from Hanoi to Ha Giang!
4.2. What to note?
- Due to Ha Giang’s rugged mountain roads, experience with mountain driving is essential.
- Travelers are advised to go with skilled drivers or join guided tours for safety.
- Khau Vai is a remote area, so cash is the more popular method of payment here.
- Dress modestly to respect the local customs. Bring some warm clothes to prepare for cooler nights also.
- Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking around.
- Book lodging in advance, as accommodation fills up quickly during this period.
- Bring basic medications along with mosquito repellent.
Khau Vai Love Market is more than a meeting place for love, it is a cultural gem that preserves the beauty of Ha Giang’s highland communities. Here, visitors will witness a blend of ancient traditions, heartfelt love stories, and lively festivities that honor ethnic diversity. Whether through music, food, or the warmth of the people, Khau Vai Love Market offers a deeply enriching experience.
Beyond Ha Giang, Vietnam travel offers a wealth of other incredible destinations, each with its own charm. Consider adding these iconic destinations to your itinerary: Hanoi, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Ha Long, and Hoi An.
For those seeking both adventure and relaxation in these destinations, the entertainment complexes of VinWonders provide many exciting leisure offerings, from thrilling games to captivating shows. After a day of exploration, you can unwind at Vinpearl’s luxury hotels and resorts, where high-end amenities and breathtaking views await.
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