Lao woman finds belonging in Yunnan village through food and friendship

A Lao woman who married into a village in the Jiangcheng Hani and Yi autonomous county, Yunnan province, has found a sense of belonging and happiness in her new home.

Yuhuan and her husband, Yanhanli, run a snack shop in Mantan, a Dai village in Jiangcheng. Yanhanli is responsible for preparing local specialties like rice noodles, while Yuhuan focuses on Lao cuisine, including cold dishes and Lao coffee.

Their relationship began in 2010 when Yanhanli, a young man from the Dai ethnic group, traveled to Laos and met Yuhuan. Sharing the same Dai heritage, they found common ground in language and customs, which gradually drew them closer together.

For over a decade since their marriage, the couple has worked hand in hand, supporting each other through every challenge. They began with a small business in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture and eventually opened the snack shop in Mantan, enjoying a fulfilling and comfortable life.

Yuhuan has also found friendship in the village. Several others from Laos who likewise married into the village often come to lend a helping hand. In the evenings, they gather to dance, filling the air with joy and laughter.

Here in the village, the women have discovered a sense of belonging, where they experience warmth and happiness.