The famous love market, Khau Vai, located in Meo Vac District, the northern province of Ha Giang, annually organised on the 27th day of the 3rd lunar month, sees the participation of a huge number of ethnic locals as well as tourists. It can be said that the beauty and power of love is the basic factor to maintain the existence of the Khau Vai love market for more than 100 years since 1919.
Many cultural activities, performances of folk art and games are also organised in the market. When coming to Khau Vai Market Festival in Ha Giang, you will have a chance to see H'mong girls with rosy cheeks put on their best ethnic brocade costumes to join the festival whilst boys with engrossed eyes, raising their voice in Khen (a popular wind instrument in various ethnic groups in Viet Nam) to call their ex-lovers.
Besides, it is not difficult to see many people who have "passed their springtime" also go to the market where they are free to meet their former lovers among the crowd. Khau Vai love market has become Ha Giang's own "speciality", a love rendezvous for ex-lovers to meet again, to talk about their current living situation and warm up their lost feeling.
Below are stunning photos taken by the talented lensman Nguyen Huu Thanh during his trips to Khau Vai love market. (Pictures were taken before COVID-19 resurgence.)
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| The special sound of Khen in Khau Vai love market |
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| H'mong girls with rosy cheeks are eager to dress up and go to the festival on the sunny village roads. |
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| The power and beauty of love are reflected in the colorful market. |
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| Visiting the market during this traditional festival, tourists will have a great chance to enjoy many exciting activities such as trying blowing Khen |
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| It is not only a dating place for couples… |
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| …but also for people who want to find true love and is a place for cultural exchange. |
Reporting by DNO - Translating by T.VY
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