① Vietnamese Ethnic Minorities
Vietnam is a multiethnic nation composed of 54 ethnic groups. The Viet, the largest ethnic group, comprises most Vietnamese. Meanwhile, the other 53 ethnic groups still live by their unique traditions in areas remote from the cities. These minority groups differ significantly in language, clothing, and customs.
The Hmong, for instance, are a notable ethnic minority from the mountainous region of Sapa in Northern Vietnam. Sapa, which requires a long bus journey from Hanoi, is a popular tourist destination. The Hmong migrated from China in the 19th century and are one of the significant minority groups in Vietnam. Another ethnic group in Sapa, the Dao, also has a unique marriage custom known as the “Love Market.”
② Love Market of Ethnic Minorities
The Hmong’s “Love Market” is a festival where those with partners come with them, while those without seek potential mates. This event, which only occurs once a year on September 2nd, is famous in Vietnam as a gathering for singles.
A documentary on EBS called World Theme Travel featured the Love Market. Visitors to the market are divided into male and female groups. If a man takes a liking to a woman, he approaches, grabs her arm, and they leave together.
In contrast, the Dao’s Love Market has a slightly different atmosphere. Previously, Dao, who lived scattered in mountainous regions, would attend the Love Market in Sapa. If they couldn’t return home, men and women would naturally come together. They sang together, paired up without distinguishing between married and unmarried, and even celebrated if a child was conceived. This might seem astonishing, but in Vietnam, it was a custom. The need for labor in agriculture and the open sexuality of the ethnic minorities influenced this. The Love Market was a unique cultural event and a means of survival. There were variations in the Love Market among different Dao regions. In the northern mountainous region of Cao Bang, lovers who couldn’t be together met once a year on the lunar calendar on March 27th to soothe the pains of unfulfilled love.
While the marriage customs of ethnic minorities can be shocking, they are gradually changing. These minorities strive to preserve their traditions.
③ Vietnamese Marriage Culture
Vietnam is known for its grand wedding ceremonies. In cities, these ceremonies are often held in wedding halls. However, in rural areas, weddings usually occur at home, inviting the entire village. Traditional Vietnamese weddings involve multiple ceremonies, making them extensive festive events.
A traditional Vietnamese wedding ritual is known as Dinh Hoi. Here, the groom seeks marriage approval from the bride’s parents. The bride, dressed in a traditional red outfit, waits for the groom while her friends stand as bridesmaids. On the other hand, the groom’s friends bring gifts wrapped in gold-colored packaging to the bride’s home. These gifts often include jewelry and money.
After the Dinh Hoi ceremony, another wedding ceremony occurs at the groom’s house. This begins with the couple seeking ancestral blessings. Then, everyone gathers for a festive celebration, which often lasts late into the night. These ceremonies at both homes resemble reception parties where families and villagers come together to celebrate. The final wedding event is known as Dam Cuoi, the main wedding ceremony attended by family and acquaintances. It’s the closest to what we typically think of as a wedding. All these events involve hours of eating, drinking, and celebrating.
By. Seo Sung Min (fv_editor@fastviewkorea.com)
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