Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country with 54 ethnic groups, each with its own language, lifestyle, and cultural heritage. The largest ethnic groups are: Kinh (Viet) 85.7%, Tay 1.9%, Tai Ethnic 1.8%, Muong 1.5%, Khmer Krom 1.5%, Hmong 1.2%, Nung 1.1%, Hoa 1%, with all others comprising the remaining 4.3%. One distinctive feature of highland ethnic minority groups in Vietnam is that they are colorfully attired whether at home, in the farm, traveling or in their home town. The clothing of one group is quite different from that of other groups and adds color to the social landscape.
The Xtieng ethnic group or Xa Dieng live in four northern districts of Binh Phuoc Province and in Dong Nai and Tay Ninh provinces. The Xtieng live a sedentary lifestyle. Each family builds its own house. Each village is led by an elderly man who must be experienced in the affairs of the community, dynamic, and[…]
The Xo Dang ethnic group, also called Xe Dang, Ca Dong, To Dra, Ha Lang, Mo Nam, Ta Tri, Ka Rang, Bri La Teng, Con Lan are concentrated in Kon Tum Province and scattered in the mountainous areas of Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces. The Xo Dang believe in animism and worship many spirits related[…]
The Xinh Mun ethnic group, also called Puoc, Pua live in Son La and Lai Chau provinces and along the Vietnamese-Lao border regions. Xinh Mun houses are built on stilts, have vaulted roofs shaped like axinhmun tortoise shell and stairways at both ends of the house. The children take the family name of the father. After[…]
The Tho ethnic group, also called Keo, Mon, Cuoi, Ho, Tay Poong, Dan Lai, Ly Ha live in the western parts of Nghe An Province. Formerly, the Tho lived in houses built on stilts. Now they prefer housestho built on the ground. Close relationships and a desire to help each other have existed for a very[…]
The Thai ethnic group, also called Tay, Tay Dam, Tay Khao, Tay Muoi, Tay Thanh, Hang Tong, Pu Thay lives in Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, and Nghe An provinces. The Thai worship their ancestors, the heavens, the earth, ban, and thai”muong”. They also hold rituals to pray for good crops.The Thai live[…]
The Ta Oi ethnic group, also called Toi Oi, Pa Co, Ba Hy, Ba Ghy lives in A Luoi District of Thua Thien-Hue Province and Huong Hoa District of Quang Tri Province. The communal house of the Ta Oi is called the Rong. It is built at the centretaoi of the village and is a fairly[…]
The Tay ethnic group, also called Tho, Ngan, Phen, Thu Lao, Pa Di lives along the valleys and the lower slopes of the mountains in Cao Bang,tay Lang Son, Bac Kan, and Quang Ninh provinces, and in some regions of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces. Ancestor worship is a religious rite of the Tay. The[…]
The Si La ethnic group, also called Cu De Xu, Kha Pe live in Lai Chau province. The Si La live in houses built level to the ground. The kitchen is usually silaplaced at the centre of the house. Relationships between the members of a lineage are very close. The head of a lineage is usually[…]
The San Diu ethnic group, also called San Deo, Trai, Trai Dat, and “Man Quan Coc” (Man in Shorts) live in the midlands of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phu, Thai Nguyen, and Tuyen Quang provinces. The San Diu house is built level with the ground. The roof is usually covered with[…]
The San Chay ethnic group, also called Cao Lan, San Chi, Man Cao Lan, Hon Ban are concentrated in Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, and Bac Giang provinces. Communities of San Chay are also found scattered in Quang Ninh, Yen Bai, Lang Son, and Vinh Phuc provinces. Ancestral worship is widely practiced but is influenced by Buddhism,[…]
The Ro Mam ethnic group live in Le Village, Mo Rai Commune, Sa Thay District of Kon Tum Province. The village of the Ro Mam is called a “de”. It is headed by an old chief. Each family is comprised of 10-20 people of various generations who have blood ties and who live under the[…]
The Ra Glai ethnic group, also called Ra Glay, Krai, Orang Glai, No-Ana, La Vang live mainly in the southern regions of Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces. The Ra Glai believe there is a spiritual world known as “Giang” that raglaiincludes good and evil forces. They traditionally live in stilted houses. The pa-lay is headed[…]