Lifestyle

Ethnic women playing football in mountain market while wearing skirts

Ha Lau is the sole mountainous commune in Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province that boasts an ethnic market. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of various ethnic minorities while also having the opportunity to witness and participate in lively football matches played by local ethnic women.

Administrator

29 January, 2024

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Ha Lau ethnic market takes place every last Sunday of the month, offering a wide range of local specialties such as Tien Yen chicken, honey, sticky rice cake, smoked buffalo meat, and traditional costumes of ethnic minority people.

In addition to trading activities, Ha Lau commune’s authorities organize cultural, music, and sports events to showcase the unique cultures of the local ethnic groups, including Dao, San Chi, and Tay, in order to attract visitors. Female football has become a particularly popular tourist attraction here.

Ha Lau commune consists of 6 hamlets, with 4 of them having their own women’s football teams that compete on market days. Each match features 16 female players divided into 2 teams, who play in the traditional costumes of the Dao Thanh Y and San Chi ethnic groups.

“It’s not easy to play in traditional costumes, so we need to be quick and skillful,” said player Ha Thi Hoa.

Nguyen Van Quang, a commune-level cadre and the referee, highlighted the uniqueness of playing football in traditional costumes. “Each ethnic group has its own traditional costume. In football, the clothing somehow affects the movement of the players, but it is a unique characteristic of football here,” Quang shared.

On normal days, Ha Lau women work as teachers or farmers, but on market day, they enthusiastically run after the ball, competing to shoot and score. Despite not always following the game rules, all the players feel happy.

“I feel so excited and proud. I hope that more market days like this will be held to create opportunities for locals and visitors to connect,” said Be Thi Ly, a kindergarten teacher of the Tay ethnic group.

Nguyen Thanh Tung, Acting Chairman of Ha Lau, emphasized that maintaining the market day as a playground helps promote solidarity and provides more experiences for visitors.

“Cultural, music, and sports events are held once every month on Ha Lau market day. This is an opportunity for local people to engage in cultural and music events, exchange agricultural products, and attract more tourists,” said Tung.

Ethnic women’s football at Ha Lau market is a true reflection of the cultural and spiritual lives of the ethnic minority people and serves as a major tourist attraction.