Young women and men dance at Khau Vai Love Market. (Photo: VNA)Ha Giang (VNA) - Various activitiesshowcasing the unique culture of ethnic groups will be included in the Khau VaiLove Market festival.
The festival will be held in Meo Vac district’sKhau Vai commune in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang on May11-12.
According to organisers, the festival aims topreserve the cultural values of the local ethnic groups while attractingvisitors and stimulating socio-economic development in the northernmost area ofVietnam.
The Khau Vai Love Market is a popular attractionin Ha Giang, even though it is held only once a year at a distance of nearly200km from the city.
On the 27th day of the third lunar month, localethnic women and men put on their best traditional costumes and go to themarket where they are free to meet their former lovers in public.
Husbands and wives arrive at the market togetherand start looking for their past partners among the crowd. Spouses do not getangry or jealous because the meeting at the market is supposed to be atemporary moment and does not influence their daily lives or relationship.
According to folklore, a couple were deeply inlove but were forbidden to be together because they were from different ethnicgroups. A violent conflict later took place between the two tribes, resultingin bloodshed for both. To stop the fierce fight, the couple decided to partways with broken hearts. They, however, promised to meet once every year in themarket in Khau Vai commune on the 27th of the third lunar month.
The 100-year-old festival draws thousands oftourists from across the country and abroad.
Visitors can enjoy traditional games and localspecialties as well as explore the beauty of Dong Van Karst Plateau GlobalGeopark, Lung Cu Flag Pole, Ma Pi Leng Peak and Dong Van Town Old Quarter.-VNA
VNA
