Cultural beauty of Sapa “Love market”

True to its name, Love Market is organized for young men and women in the town to meet and exchange feelings with each other, participating in bustling and unique activities such as: tug of war, playing the flute, singing love songs... It's not surprising that after each Sapa Love Market session, there are many couples who tie the knot.

The tourism product "Sapa Love Market" was piloted by the Center for Information and Tourism Promotion of Lao Cai province at the end of 2020 to honor the unique traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities of Sa Pa in particular and of Lao Cai province in general. The program has created a strong impression on visitors, attracting a large number of visitors to experience and explore. Photo: Lao Cai Tourism.

Sapa love market is located at the front of the Stone Church at the foot of Ham Rong mountain. Stone Church is also a famous destination with ancient features and beautiful architecture. This church is located next to the square of Sapa town. Behind the church is Ham Rong Mountain, in front is a large area of land. That land is where the Sapa love market is held every weekend. This is the central location of town so visitors can easily find it.

Sa Pa Love Market is a typical cultural feature of ethnic minorities living in Sapa and Lao Cai. Coming to Love Market, we will discover the unique human culture and customs of ethnic minorities who have lived here for a long time. Most ethnic groups such as Mong, Dao, Tay, Giay... residing in Sa Pa live in the Muong Hoa valley, where the Muong Hoa river originates from small streams from the top of Fansipan mountain.

It is said that Sa Pa Love Market has the oldest origin, however no one knows when this love market began to be held. I've only heard people tell me that in the past, the market in Sapa only held once a week on Saturdays. People from far away villages came here to meet, but by the time the market ended, it was already late afternoon, so people couldn't go through the forest to go home. Therefore, all the young and old go to the market and gather together, gradually becoming a custom and habit, and then the market becomes a place for young men and women to get to know each other and date.

The tourism product "Sapa Love Market" aims to restore and recreate part of the unique traditional cultural values of the ancient Sapa Love Market, helping the younger generation of ethnic minorities in Sapa and tourists to understand correctly about cultural value and humanity of Love Market. Photo: Lao Cai Tourism.

Love Market is where boys and girls of the Mong, Dao,Tay,etc ethnic groups will find their soulmate in this unique market. The boys on the village hold their flutes and bring traditional dances to the market to conquer the girls. Resplendent in self-embroidered dresses with bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings, holding umbrellas in hand, the girls danced back and forth, creating a fun and exciting atmosphere, attracting those surrounding. This unique culture has brought them closer together, many couples have been married since then.

But today, the Sapa Love Market takes place once a week on Saturday night. "Love market" is the name given by many tourists in the early years of the 19th century. "Market" is the word for buying, selling and exchanging goods, "love" is the feeling of love. Although no one can explain this combination, love is not inherently a commodity that can be exchanged in kind, but perhaps this is also a special and unique feature that makes visitors curious and want to come here to visit.

The best time to go to Love Market is spring. Spring brings with it a jubilant and bustling atmosphere on all the roads and remote villages, when the fading Peach petals begin to bloom, blending with the pure white of the Plum Blossoms to create a beautiful picture. It's hard to describe how it covers an entire hillside.

In fact, coming to Sa Pa Love Market at any time, especially on weekends, you can participate in many outstanding entertainment activities such as watching cultural performances, admiring, and taking photos with local ethnic children in traditional costumes, visit the Stone Church and eat delicious grilled dishes on the nearby walking street. Love market is a cultural beauty that is unique to highland ethnic people. Coming to Sa Pa, you should try attending the love market once to have unforgettable experiences and learn about the regional culture.

Some people compare Sa Pa Love Market to an indispensable romantic feature in Sa Pa that anyone must fall in love with if they have ever set foot here. Therefore, the love market is definitely one of the famous Sa Pa tourist destinations that everyone knows when coming here. And you, do you want to immerse yourself in the singing and trumpet sounds of the Northwest love market with a feeling of excitement and excitement? So what are you waiting for, schedule a trip to this Sa Pa tourist destination!

Q.Lien