Khau Vai Love Market is a special cultural festival associated with a romantic love legend on the rocky plateau of Ha Giang. This is the perfect occasion to explore ethnic identities, enjoy highland cuisine and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the market. In this article, Ha Giang City Hostel will provide useful information about the festival’s schedule, its unique activities, the best ways to travel there, accommodation suggestions and must-try local delicacies. Hopefully, this guide will help you prepare for a memorable journey to Ha Giang.
The origin and legendary love story of Khau Vai love market
Khau Vai Love Market, also known as the “Phong Luu” was formed more than 100 years ago. At first, it was not only a place for trading goods but also a special meeting point for couples who loved each other but could not become husband and wife due to family and clan opposition. Every year, on the 27th day of the third lunar month, they would return to Khau Vai to meet, confide and rekindle their old feelings. Gradually, this gathering became a unique cultural feature that attracted people from many places to experience.
According to local legend, long ago in the Khau Vai mountains, a young Nung man fell in love with a Giay girl. Their love was deep and passionate, but it was fiercely opposed by their families because of ethnic differences and customs. When the young couple had to part, they promised each other that every year on the 27th of the third lunar month, they would meet once at Khau Vai to express their longing. They would share their hearts, telling each other their hidden feelings from a year apart. On the last day of their lives, they met again under the ancient tree and the stone of their vow, embraced each other tightly and together passed into eternity also on the 27th of the third lunar month. In sorrow, the villagers built two shrines “Ba Shrine” and “Ong Shrine” at the place where they died, to commemorate their love.
It is this tragic yet beautiful love story that laid the foundation for the formation of Khau Vai Love Market.
When is the Khau Vai love market festival held?
The Khau Vai Love Market Festival is held annually on the 27th day of the third lunar month in Meo Vac District, Ha Giang. It is an occasion for ethnic minority communities of the highlands to gather, celebrate, sing and especially for separated couples or lovers to reunite and share their feelings. This time also marks spring in the rocky mountains of Ha Giang, when the weather is cool and the hills burst into colorful blossoms, making the journey even more delightful.
Essential guide to experiencing the Khau Vai love market festival
To make the most of your trip to Khau Vai Love Market, you should prepare with some essential information. Here is a brief guide to help you fully enjoy the festival:
Unique activities only found at the Khau Vai love market
At Khau Vai Love Market, you will be immersed in a cultural space unlike any other. This is not just a trading fair but a grand festival of the highland people. Young men and women dress in their colorful traditional costumes, singing duet love songs, dancing to the sound of the Mong people’s khen (reed pipes) and soulful flutes. The Then and Luon folk songs of the Tay – Nung people echo through the mountains, making the scene even more magical.
A highlight of the event is the sacred offering ritual at Ong and Ba Shrines, connected to the tragic love story of Chang Ba and Co Ut. This solemn moment shows respect for love, gratitude to ancestors and the eternal human desire for happiness. In addition, many traditional folk games such as tung con (throwing cloth balls), nem pao (pao ball tossing), tug of war and shuttlecock kicking make the festival even livelier and more engaging.
How to get to the Khau Vai love market easily
You have several options for traveling to the festival:
- From Hanoi to Ha Giang: Take an overnight bus from My Dinh, Giap Bat, or Nuoc Ngam bus stations. The journey takes about 6–7 hours, with ticket prices ranging from 250,000 – 350,000 VND.
- From Ha Giang to Meo Vac: You can rent a motorbike, hire a private car, or catch a local bus. The distance is more than 150 km with many winding mountain passes, but the scenery is breathtaking, especially when crossing the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass.
- From Meo Vac to Khau Vai: About 20 km of winding mountain road, taking 40 – 60 minutes. This stretch is perfect for admiring majestic mountains and terraced valleys.
Recommended accommodation near the festival site
When attending the Khau Vai Love Market Festival, you can choose to stay in local villages or in Meo Vac town center:
- Homestays in Khau Vai: Ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in local life. Chúng Pủa Homestay and Lô Lô Homestay are highly rated for their rustic atmosphere and traditional meals.
- Hotels and guesthouses in Meo Vac: If you prefer more comfort, mini hotels and budget guesthouses in town offer convenient access to Khau Vai and other attractions like Ma Pi Leng Pass and Tu San Canyon.
- Stilt-house communal stays: Another interesting choice is staying in stilt houses with local families, enjoying highland meals, sipping corn wine and listening to the legend of Khau Vai.
- Ha Giang City Hostel: For those seeking a comfortable and affordable stopover before heading to Khau Vai, Ha Giang City Hostel is an excellent option. With cozy rooms, friendly service and a convenient location, it ensures you a budget-friendly yet fulfilling journey.
Must-try local delicacies in Khau Vai
Food is the soul of every trip and at Khau Vai Love Market, you will discover unique flavors of Ha Giang highlands:
- Thang Co: A traditional dish made from horse meat and mountain spices, rich and spicy, often enjoyed beside a warm fire with love songs.
- Smoked Buffalo Meat: Marinated and hung over the kitchen fire for months, giving it a smoky aroma, chewy texture and rich flavor. It is also a popular souvenir.
- Au Tau Porridge: A distinctive dish made from au tau tubers, which are poisonous if raw but, when cooked properly, become a nutritious food that helps ward off the mountain cold.
- Buckwheat Cakes: Soft, fragrant cakes made from buckwheat flour, the symbolic flower of Ha Giang.
- Corn Wine: A must-try drink at highland markets. A cup of strong, warming corn wine lets you fully experience the hospitality of local people.
A trip to Khau Vai Love Market is not just sightseeing but also an opportunity to deeply experience the culture, love stories and life of ethnic minorities in Ha Giang. To make your journey more fulfilling, Ha Giang City Hostel will be your ideal stopover offering both comfort and convenience as you explore the most unique love festival in northern Vietnam.
