Buzz
The Khâu Vai Love Market, also known as the Phong Lưu Market, has been around for nearly a century. It originates from a tale of romanticism and humanity, and although it has undergone many changes, it still retains its distinctive and captivating charm.
The Khâu Vai Love Market
In the highland terrain, tales of ancient romance still echo. Once upon a time, Khâu Vai was not as vast as it is now, inhabited only by the Nùng and Giáy people who lived separately in distinct villages. But love blossomed when Nùng man Ba fell deeply for Giáy woman Út. Their budding love resembled the beauty of the Khâu Vai mountain range. However, societal norms and ethnic traditions posed obstacles, leading the lovers to escape to the mountains.
The situation worsened as the conflict between their families escalated into a feud between the Nùng and Giáy villages. Looking down from the mountain, the couple witnessed the bloodshed and violence between their once harmonious communities. Despite the agony, they parted ways, pledging to reunite annually on Khâu Vai mountain to share their thoughts and secrets. They sat side by side, sharing stories and songs until dawn, before returning to their daily lives. On their final day, they embraced, departing together into eternity. Their departure, on the 27th of March, marked the day they bid farewell. Upon hearing their story, the villagers, impressed by the couple's affection, erected shrines and established an annual market on the 27th of March atop Khâu Vai mountain.
Highland Residents
Today, the Khâu Vai Love Market is renowned for its uniqueness and peculiarity. From the evening of March 26th, locals, adorned in their traditional attire, descend upon the market. Laughter and chatter echo from every corner, enlivening the atmosphere. All paths lead to the love market, where people come to celebrate love—past, present, and future.
The market runs from morning till night, primarily serving the needs of the local ethnic communities. It's also a place where couples, unable to meet elsewhere, come to cherish their love. Those who visit the love market may be single, in relationships, or even married. Couples may come together but then part ways to find their former loves. There's no jealousy or prohibition; it's a distinctive charm of the Khâu Vai Love Market. Nowadays, girls have the freedom to explore and decide on their marriages without parental opposition, making the Khâu Vai Love Market the matchmaker for many couples.
The love market is an inseparable aspect of Hà Giang's cultural beauty, contributing to the promotion of Hà Giang tourism to visitors nationwide.
The Khâu Vai Love Market
Hoàng Lý
Image: Sourced from the internet
