Buzz
When it comes to Hà Giang travel, envision not only the frontier land adorned with buckwheat flowers and the Dong Van Karst Plateau, but also be captivated by the unique charm of Hà Giang's specialty - the Khau Vai Love Market.
Where is Khau Vai Love Market? What makes it special?
Known as a market for those who are 'fated but not bound,' Khau Vai Love Market is where old flames reunite to reminisce about past memories and where young couples find each other. Let's explore with Vntrip.vn why there's such a special story that has attracted numerous travelers to this highland region.
Hà Giang, adorned with pristine and majestic landscapes (Photo: collected)
Khau Vai Love Market originates from the romantic tale of Ut and Ba deeply in love but unable to marry due to life's unpredictable twists. They connected through genuine emotions but were hindered by village customs. What could be more painful than the regret when love lacks support? Love, like the intertwining paths, may lead to separate lives after parting, with few reminiscing about the past flames. According to the Hmong people, Khau Vai means the desire for shared clouds, symbolizing the close bonds of couples, akin to the intertwined clouds and mountains in the region.
Mong women in their daily lives (Photo: collected)
Life is full of stories, often leaving us puzzled about others' hearts. Hence, their love story remains unwritten. Not everyone has a reason when concluding a relationship. After a breakup, there are countless questions, regrets due to misunderstandings, or lingering thoughts awaiting answers. Therefore, those who couldn't unite pledge to meet at Khau Vai Love Market on the 27th day of the third lunar month to discuss the past. Here, they reunite, share their individual lives, reminisce about old emotions, expressing longing and emotions choked by distance.
When does Khau Vai Love Market take place?
During the day at Khau Vai Love Market, it's bustling with activity, filled with the melodious sounds of flutes calling for lovers, the rhythmic beats of drums, and the soulful singing of girls, creating a vibrant and lively festival atmosphere... Only when night falls, with flickering fires and corn wine in hand, does the love market truly come alive. At this time, those who were once lovers seek each other in the crowd, reminiscing about the past, sharing the days they were apart, uncared for.
Gorgeous girls adorned in beautiful dresses for rendezvous (Photo: collected)
From the evening of the 26th day of the third lunar month, people from winding mountain paths, dressed in their latest and most beautiful ethnic costumes, joyfully descend upon the market. Those from distant villages, three mountain peaks and four streams away from Khau Vai Love Market, arrive even earlier. Mong, Dao, Giay, Lo Lo youths all converge on Khau Vai commune. If you visit Hà Giang during this season, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in an incredibly diverse festival atmosphere with the sounds of flutes, graceful dances, and charming singing accompanied by warm corn wine.
Exchanging fate on the day of the rendezvous (Photo: collected)
At this moment, leaving behind the rocky cat-ear mountains, the deep rubbery valleys, and the dangerously winding roads, only the excitement and anticipation linger after a full and memorable year. For them, only the night of passionate and ecstatic love remains, occurring just once a year. All eyes are set on the love market, directed towards the person they have loved, are loving, and will love—much like the focus on a sacred and grand ceremony. As the sun sets behind the western hills, mist blankets the sky, large fires are lit, and big jugs of wine are brought out. This marks the beginning of the Khau Vai Love Night:
“Tonight, we sit together a bit late
The rooster crows, urging sixteen times for nine years
If we have no heart, then let it be
If you have the heart, then quickly raise your voice...
A young girl's voice replied:
“At this hour, the sky has turned to night
Why did it swirl around, changing the throne?
The mist has covered everything in white
I only know myself in you, but I haven't discovered your heart yet…
Simple and charming confessions have been whispered by young men and women in the night market, breathing life into authentic love, much like their own lives. Khau Vai Love Market only gathers once a year, but the daily market sessions in Khau Vai meet every five days to cater to the needs of the local ethnic communities. The love market convenes from dusk until the morning of the next day, and from morning until noon, it operates as a regular market like other mountain markets.
Early morning on the 27th is the most significant moment of the love market. The wine has run out, the market has dispersed, and now it's time to say goodbye. Along the roadside, following the mountain slopes, the rock walls... each pair of men and women bid each other a heartfelt farewell. They exchange lingering looks, fond farewells, and promises to meet again next year, right in this very place.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Ha Giang, you'll not only be enchanted by the various emotions at Khau Vai Love Market with its young men and women, but you'll also experience horseback riding 'Returning to the past on the path of love'; immerse yourself in graceful songs, khèn dances; participate in folk games like arrow throwing, bird striking, pole pushing... observe ethnic people weaving linen, making Hmong flutes, and traditional basket weaving...
Visit the Mèo Vạc night market, savor the traditional local dishes such as men men, thắng cố, tậu chúa, goat hotpot, dried beef, smoked pork, grilled ribs, corn wine... while witnessing cultural and artistic activities.
Mong artisans performing khèn dance for tourists (Photo: collected)
Khau Vai Love Market today has undergone some changes, but it still retains its distinctive and unique features. In the lively and joyful atmosphere, we still see the earnest gaze of searching, hear the melodious sounds of bamboo flutes harmonizing with the rustling wind, and witness the warm, happy moments of those who serendipitously reunite after days of separation.
The story of yesterday and the life today at Khau Vai Love Market possess a peculiar blend of reality and fantasy, adding an enchanting allure to this piece of land. Perhaps it's the connection from the past to the present and future, the strong emanation of legendary love stories on the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Somewhere along the mountain slopes, a faint invitation echoes:
“Oh, young man, come down from the mountain with me
Remember to bring your horse and come alone
Though I may not be as charming anymore
There's a sunshade in the love market, where romance prevails.
