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1. Khau Vai Love Market - Ha Giang
The Khau Vai Love Market is held annually on the 27th day of the 3rd lunar month in Khau Vai commune, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province. It is one of the most famous love markets in Vietnam. This market originated from a tragic love story of a couple who loved each other but could not be together. They agreed to meet only once a year on the 27th of the 3rd lunar month to reminisce about their past love, and thus the Khau Vai Love Market was born.
The Khau Vai Love Market only meets once a year, but the Khau Vai market itself is held every five days to serve the needs of the local ethnic communities. The love market opens from dusk until dawn the next day. From the evening of March 26th, people flocked to the market. They came not to buy or sell, but to reconnect with former lovers, reminisce about old times, and return to their own families.
2. Chau Moc Love Market, Moc Chau - Son La
The Chau Moc Love Market is held annually on September 1st, which is also the Independence Day of the Hmong people. The Chau Moc Love Market only takes place once a year, and it's a gathering of Hmong people from all over Vietnam, including Northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and even from neighboring Laos, who come to celebrate the festival with the Hmong people of Moc Chau.
During the market season, the vibrant colors of brocade fabrics will color the streets, with Hmong girls in their flowing skirts. Their traditional clothing is divided into several styles such as Hmong Du (black), Hmong Si (red), Hmong Lenh (floral), Hmong Sua (Hmong Man)... The colorful dresses and skirts blend together like a forest of flowers.
People come here not to buy and sell, but to date, exchange feelings, and express their love. After the love market, many couples will get married, but some will remain single and hẹn to come back to the market again.
3. Sapa Love Market
Unlike the two aforementioned love markets, which are held only once a year, the Sa Pa love market is held every Sunday. This is a traditional cultural feature of the Mong and Dao ethnic groups in the highlands of Lao Cai province in particular, and the Northwest region of Vietnam in general, dating back to ancient times.
The ethnic minority villages are quite far from Sapa town, so people usually have to leave on Saturday to be able to attend the market on Sunday. Therefore, Saturday evening is the most lively and bustling time.
4. Hang Po Love Market – Lang Son
The Háng Pò Love Market, located in Thiện Thuật commune, Bình Gia district, Lạng Sơn province, is held once a year on the 2nd of April. The Háng Pò Love Market attracts young men and women of the Dao, Tay, and Nung ethnic groups (from Lạng Sơn, Cao Bằng, Bắc Giang, and neighboring regions) who come to sing love songs, find partners, and hope to choose a spouse.
This market doesn't place too much emphasis on profit; people come here simply to participate in the call-and-response Sli singing, hoping to find a like-minded partner to take home.
5. Love Market in Western Nghe An Province
The love market in the western part of Nghe An province is held in Huoi Tu commune, Ky Son district, Nghe An province. The market is divided into two sessions, held at two different locations: the first session of the month is held in Huoi Dun, and the last session is held in Muong Long village.
The Hmong and Thai people who participate in this love market come not only to exchange goods but also to find partners and dates. The market is only crowded in the morning; it gradually disperses in the afternoon. Those who have found partners go home together, singing and celebrating, while those who are still single walk home alone, anxiously waiting for the next market day.
