Located in the Meo Vac district, the Khau Vai love market is famous for being one of the most unique ethnic markets in Ha Giang. Perhaps because at the Khau Vai love market, buying and selling are not the most important aspects, as the ethnic groups believe that this market is a place where they preserve the traditional cultural values of Ha Giang, which have existed for over 100 years. The Khau Vai love market remains a destination that attracts the attention of all visitors. The article below explains why this market is so appealing!
The Khau Vai love market (Vietnamese name: Phong Lưu Khâu Vai) is held in the village of Khau Vai, in the Khau Vai commune, Meo Vac city, Ha Giang province.
Meo Vac is a district located on the border, 150 km from the center of Ha Giang city. This district is renowned for its beautiful natural landscapes with majestic mountains. Nestled in the heart of this wild nature, you will find the Khau Vai love market. It is one of the oldest markets in Ha Giang, with a history of over 100 years.
In 2021, the social practices and beliefs at the Khau Vai love market were recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. This recognition has helped make the market one of the reasons to visit Ha Giang. Moreover, the Khau Vai love market has enriched the colorful and unique cultural beauty of the ethnic minorities in northern Vietnam.
Ethnic markets in Ha Giang generally occur once a week. Due to the winding mountain roads, transporting goods takes a lot of time. However, the Khau Vai love market is held only once a year, which excites both tourists and locals as this unique day approaches. This tradition has existed for over 100 years, since the market's first editions in 1919.
It is also the time when traditional festivals take place in Ha Giang and the northern provinces of Vietnam. The end of spring marks the conclusion of a harvest season, during which the locals, after their work, rest and hold celebrations to commemorate their agricultural successes. They also pray for favorable weather conditions for the growth of crops in the upcoming season.
Held in the village of Khau Vai, in the Meo Vac district, over 150 km from Ha Giang city center, visitors should plan for a significant travel time to reach the Khau Vai love market. Therefore, tourists generally follow a Ha Giang Loop tour from Hanoi.
Perhaps this is why tourists want to visit the Khau Vai love market, to hear the story of the market's origin passed down for over 100 years.
Local residents recount that once upon a time, a young man from the Nùng ethnic group named Ba fell in love with a young girl from the Giáy ethnic group named Út. According to tradition, marriages were arranged by ancestors and families. Thus, this couple decided to meet in a limestone mountain region of the Khau Vai commune.
Their love story did not last long, as they were discovered and strongly opposed by their families. But this could not prevent the love between Ba and Út. The two decided to flee to the slopes of the Khau Vai mountain.
This decision enraged their families, leading to violent conflicts. Unable to bear seeing their families torn apart, Ba and Út decided to part ways despite their enduring love. However, they promised to meet each year on the 27th day of the third lunar month on the same Khau Vai mountain.
Moved by this story, the local residents decided to build a temple in honor of Ba and Út after their deaths. Since 1919, people have gathered each year at the Khau Vai love market on the 27th day of the lunar calendar to perpetuate the love story of Ba and Út and to provide an opportunity for young people in the village to find love.
Inspired by the legend, the Khau Vai love market is an opportunity for young couples to meet and connect. What is unique is that even if these couples do not become husband and wife later, each time the market is held, they can always reunite here to reminisce about their past memories.
Thus, it is possible to see a married couple visiting the Khau Vai love market together, but each of them will schedule a separate meeting with their ex to chat. Of course, this is done with the consent and trust of the spouse, avoiding any jealousy or reproach.
These reunions with past lovers occur only once a year at the Khau Vai love market. Afterward, everyone returns to their daily lives and forgets these old romances.
Although buying and selling are not central, the Khau Vai love market is also an occasion to host a traditional festival for locals and visitors. During this festival, you will experience traditional customs such as the worship ceremony at the Ông and Bà temple, accompanied by sumptuous offerings to show that the ethnic groups in Meo Vac still remember their ancestors, who explored and established the villages in this region. Village elders play a key role in starting the festival.
After the rites and worship ceremonies, locals participate in cultural activities including folk games, craft contests, and singing, where young men and women showcase their talents, participate together in activities, and may form couples if they feel in harmony.
In the past, participants at the Khau Vai love market were mainly residents of Meo Vac, Ha Giang. Today, however, this market, famous for being held only once a year, also attracts ethnic groups from Cao Bang, Bac Kan, and Tuyen Quang.
By visiting this market, you will have the chance to meet a large number of ethnic minorities from northern Vietnam. Main ethnic groups such as the Tay, Nung, and Giay all gather at the Khau Vai love market, creating a lively and colorful atmosphere.
At the Khau Vai love market, it is certainly impossible to leave without a few souvenirs. The market offers a wide range of products, from food items to livestock, but traditional handmade crafts remain the most popular. Visitors can head to stalls selling handmade textile items such as clothing, bags, keychains, and silver-plated jewelry crafted by local artisans, perfect for bringing home as souvenirs.
After shopping, visitors can take a break at food stalls and taste unique local specialties of Ha Giang, such as grilled meat, colorful sticky rice, corn wine, and more.
It can be said that the Khau Vai love market is a hidden gem in Meo Vac, Ha Giang, that few tourists have the chance to visit. So, if you have the opportunity to visit this region during the third lunar month, don’t miss this unique ethnic market. For more information, please contact Autour Asia, your Vietnam local tour operators, and our travel specialist will be happy to create an authentic trip for you in Vietnam.
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