The Khau Vai Love Market 2021 is scheduled to be held from May 6-8. Illustrative image. (Source: myhagiang.vn) The love market, which is located about 200km farfrom the province's centre, has been held once every year on the 27th day of the third lunar month, attracting thousands of visitors.
Under the theme “The love songs fair”, this year’s festivalwill feature an array of activities showcasing the most typical culturalfeatures of local ethnic minority people.
There will be a beauty contest, an incense offeringceremony at Ong Temple, rituals to pray for peace, along with folk games, amongothers.
Organisers said the market offers a chance topromote local tourism, notably Dong Van Karst Plateau - a UNESCO Global Geopark.
The Khau Vai Love Market is a popular attraction inHa Giang. On the 27th day of the third lunar month, local ethnicwomen and men put on their best traditional costumes and go to the market wherethey are free to meet their former lovers in public.
Husbands and wives arrive at the market together andstart looking for their past partners among the crowd. Spouses do not get angryor jealous because the meeting at the market is supposed to be a temporarymoment and does not affect their daily lives or relationship.
According to folklore, a man and a woman were deeplyin love but were forbidden to be together because they were from differentethnic groups. A violent conflict later took place between the two tribes,resulting in bloodshed for both. To stop the fierce fight, the couple decidedto part ways with broken hearts. They, however, promised to meet once everyyear in the market in Khau Vai commune on the day.
Ha Giang has been an attractive destination amongvisitors for its stunning landscapes and diverse cultural values.
Among popular tourism destinations are the Dong VanKarst Plateau Global Geopark, Lung Cu Flag Pole, Ma Pi Leng Peak and Dong VanTown Old Quarter./.
VNA
