Vietnamese Ethnic Groups

Vietnamese Ethnic Groups
Vietnam is the homeland of many ethnic groups. According to legend, all are descendants of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, hatching out of a hundred eggs, half of them following their mother to the mountain, the other half accompanying their father to the sea. They joined hands to build the nation from “Three mountains, four seas and the land mass”, with endless forests and mountains, delta plains stretching as far as the eyes can see and the Eastern Sea rippling its waves all the four seasons. It is a land stretching from the high peak of Lung Cu (north) to the hamlet of Rach Tau (south) and from the Truong Son Range (west) to the Truong Sa archipelago (east).

The La-Hu
In the former days, the La Hu lived mainly on slash-and-burn cultivation, hunting and gathering with rudimentary tools including knives and hoes. In some recent decades, the La Hu have cultivated rice in submerged fields and on burnt-over land as their staple food and used buffaloes as draught animals. La Hu men are very skilful in making rattan chairs, trays, mats and flat baskets. Most of them know how to practise forging.

The Si-La
The Si La, also know as the Cu De Xu, live in three hamlets called Seo Hay, Si Thau Chai and Nam Xin in Muong Te district of Lai Chau province. They have a population of about 600. The Si La language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman Group.

The Si La live on rice and corn cultivation on burnt-over land. In recent decades, they have begun growing rice in submerged fields. Though agriculture plays a major role, hunting and gathering are also significant in the life of the Si La.

The Ta-Oi
The Ta oi have a population of over 26,000. They are also called Toi oi, Pa Co, Ba Hy and Ba Ghy. They are concentrated in A Luoi district, Thua-Thien Hue province and Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province. The Ta oi language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group and is close to the Bru-Van Kieu and Co-tu languages. In the past, the Ta oi practised slash-and-burn cultivation. For some time now the growing of wet rice has been rapidly developed. They are good at horticulture and fish rearing in dug out ponds.

The Tay
With a population of about 1,200,000, the Tay is the largest group in the community of ethnic minorities in Vietnam. The Tay language belongs to the Tay-Thai group. The Tay have other names such as Tho, Ngan, Phen, Thu Lao, and Pa Di. The Tay inhabit the valleys and lower slopes of mountains in Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Thai, and Quang Ninh provinces and in some regions of Ha Bac province.

The Thai
The Thai are experienced in consolidating edges, digging canals and building frames to carry gutters to convey water to the fields. Wet rice is their staple food, especially sticky rice. The Thai also cultivate rice, secondary crops and other trees on burnt-over land. Each family breeds cattle and poultry, makes wattle bamboo articles, weaves cloths and some families have developed ceramics.

The Tho
Young Tho boys and girls have enjoyed considerable freedom through a custom known as “Ngu Mai”. They are allowed to lie together and have heart-to-heart talks with each other. In the course of these nocturnal parties, each boy and girl will eventually find their sweetheart. As for marriage, a boy’s family must spend a lot of money in preparation for the celebration of the wedding. Therefore, a boy must work many days for his future in-laws. The Tho worship innumerable genies and spirits. They also have great respect for pioneers who have made contributions to the clearing of the land and the building of the village, and for the numerous war heroes. All families also worship their ancestors. Each year, the most important ceremony called “Going to the Field” is held.

The Xinh-Mun
The Xinh Mun chiefly grow glutinous rice and corn in burnt-over land and terraced fields. The digging stick or hoe is used depending on the incline of the slope, and a plough on flat land. In some areas, there are submerged rice fields. Formerly, buffaloes, goats and pigs were allowed to wander at will. Now, many villages have set up sheds and sties far from houses. Food gathering and hunting adds to the improvement of their living conditions. Fine and durable basketry articles are bartered with the Thai and the Lao for cloth and hardware. It is the habit of the Xinh Mun to chew betel, dye their teeth black, drink alcohol with pipes and eat spicy food.

The Xo-Dang
With a population of nearly 97,000, the Xo dang live in concentration in Kon Tum province and in scattered groups in the mountain areas of Quang Ngai and Quang Nam-Da Nang provinces. Their other names are Xo-deng, Ca-dong, To-dra, Ha-lang, Mo-nam, Ta-tri, Ka rang, Bri la and Con lan. Their language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group. The Xo-dang believe in animism and worship many spirits related to production and life.

The Xtieng
The Xtieng have a population of more than 50,000 living in four northern districts of Song Be province and a part in Dong Nai and Tay Ninh provinces. They divide into two groups: Bu Dec and Bu Lo. The people of Bu Dec group live in the lowlands. They cultivate rice in submerged fields and have used oxen and buffaloes as draught animals for a long time. The Bu Lo group lives in the uplands. They mainly practice cultivation on burnt-over land and settle near the M’Nong and the Ma. The Xtieng are also called Xa-dieng. The Xtieng language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group.

The Pu-Peo
The Pu Peo economy is based mainly on slash and burn agriculture and terraced fields, sown with maize, rice, rye, and beans. Farm implements include ploughs and harrows and buffaloes and oxen serve as draught animals. The staple food in daily meals is steam-cooked corn flour. The attire of Pu Peo women reflects their cultural identity manifested in their hairstyle, scarves, jupes and aprons: pieces of cloth of different colours are sewn together to make colourful designs. Men dress like other ethnic groups in the region.

The Ra-Glai
The Ra Glai have a population of more than 70,000, living chiefly in southern Khanh Hoa province and Ninh Thuan province. They are also called Ra Glay, Krai, Orang Glai, No-ana and La Vang. Thei language belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian Group. Formerly, in their nomadic life, they grew rice and maize in slash-and-burn plots. Today, they have also developed wet rice cultivation. Hunting, picking, gathering and handicrafts (chiefly blacksmithing and basketry) play an important role in each family.

The Ro-Mam
The Ro Mam live mainly from cultivation on burnt-over land. Sticky rice is their staple food. Cultivation techniques are traditional. Men dig holes with two sticks and women walk behind them to put seeds into the holes and cover them with soil. Hunting and gathering play a fairly important role in their economic life. Among extra occupations, weaving was once well developed but it has declined now, because the Ro Mam usually buy mass produced goods sold in the market.

The San-Chay
Also called Cao Lan, San Chi, Man Cao Lan and Hon Ban, the San Chay number more than 114,000. They mainly concentrate in Tuyen Quang, Bac Thai and Ha Bac provinces and are found in scattered groups in Quang Ninh, Yen Bai, Lang Son and Vinh Phu provinces. The San Chay comprise two groups which speak different languages. The language of the Cao Lan is close to that of the Tay and the Nung and that of the San Chi to the Han dialect. The language of the San Chay is classified in the Tay-Thai Group.

The San-Diu
The San Diu have a population of about 95,000 people inhabiting the midlands of Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Bac Can, Thai Nguyen and Tuyen Quang provinces. They have other names such as San Deo, Trai, Trai Dat and Man quan coc (Man in shorts). San Diu language belongs to the Han group. The San Diu engage in farming either in submerged fields or on a part of burnt-over land or river bank. They also practise animal husbandry, forest exploitation, fishing, fish-raising, tile-and brick-making, balcksmithing and basketry.

The M’Nong
The M’Nong have a 67,300 population. They are also called Bu-dang, Preh, Ger, Nong, Prang, Rlam, Kuyenh, Chil bu nor and M’nong Bu-dang. They live in concentration in the southern part of Darlac province, and parts of Lam Dong and Song Be province. Their language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group.

The Muong
The Muong lead a sedentary life in mountain areas where arable land is available, near the roads and very convenient for production. The Muong have practised farming since time immemorial. Wet rice is their staple food. In the past, they preferred sticky rice to ordinary rice. Aditional family occupations include exploiting forest products including mushrooms, jew’s ears, amomum, sticklac, cinnamon, honey, timber, bamboo and rattan. Handicrafts are popular such as weaving, basketry and silk spinning. Muong women are very skillful in loom weaving.

The Ngai
A typical Ngai house consists of three rooms. Young women do not receive their inheritance after their parents die. Young Ngai people must obey their parents wishes. Marriage is comprised of two steps: a wedding and a nuptial rite. The Ngai have great respect for their ancestors, as well as souls and spirits. All families have ancestor altars, and all hamlets have temples and pagodas built to honour the dead.

The Nung
The Nung live on rice and corn. They cultivate rice either in submerged fields along the ravines and in terraced fields on the hillsides. They grow cash crops and fruit trees such as tangerines and persimmons. Anise is the most valuable tree of the Nung which has brought them high profit every year. Handicrafts are a continuing activity, particularly weaving cloth to supply local need. Then comes carpentry, blacksmithing, basketry and ceramics.

The O-Du
According to latest survey by the Council of Nationalities of the National Assembly, the O Du now number 194 mostly inhabiting the village of Kim Hoa and Xop Pot (Kim Da commune), and the rest scattered in nearby villages in Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province. The O Du are also called Tay-hat. Their language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group but is no longer used.

The Pa-Then
Pa Then houses are built either on stilts, level with the ground, or half on stilts and half on the earth. Marriage is strictly forbidden within the same lineage. According to customs, after marriage the husband lives with his wife’s family for a certain amount of time.

The Phu-La
The Phu La worship their ancestors and believe in animism. They live in various villages, each village containing about 10-15 households. The house is built very simply with three rooms and a thatched roof. The oldest men, the village chiefs, and the lineage heads play a significant role in managing public affairs.The young people are not forced to marry. After an engagement the bride comes to live with her husband’s family; the wedding, however, may be held one or two years later.

The Lu
The Lu have a population of about 3,700 in the two districts of Phong Tho and Sin Ho in Lai Chau province. The Lu are also called the Nhuon and the Duon. Many ancient settlement are found in Dien Bien, but there are few Lu people living there. The Lu language belongs to the Tay-Thai Group.

The Ma
The Ma live in bons (villages). Each bon is comprised of five to ten elongated houses. The chief of a bon is called the quang bon. The family of a young man proposes marriage, but after the wedding the groom comes to live in his wife’s house.

The Mang
The Mang practise cultivation on burnt-over land. Maize and rice are their staple foods. They use slash-and-burn techniques with rudimentary home-made tools such as axes to fell trees, long knives to cut branches and sticks to dig holes. Nowadays, in some places, the Mang cultivate rice in terraced fields in the Thai manner. The Mang rear pigs and poultry to provide food and offerings for rites and ceremonies. They also rear some cattle and horses. Basketry is a rising sideline occupation; they make articles for their own use and to sell or exchange for rice and cloth.

The La-Ha
The La Ha have a population of about 1,400 living in Son La and Lao Cai provinces. They are also called the Phalao and Khla. Their language belongs to the Kadai Group. They live chiefly on nomadic slash-and-burn farming. Picking and gathering are more frequent than hunting and fishing. Nowadays, many villages cultivate rice in submerged fields and build embankments to protect the soil from erosion. Fertiliser has been used in some places. Apart from pig and poultry raising, cattle breeding has begun to develop to ensure draught power.

The Lao
The Lao have about 9,600 inhabitants concentrated in the Dien Bien and Phong Tho districts of Lai Chau province, Song Ma district in Son La province and Than Uyen district in Lao Cai province. The Lao are also called the Lao boc or Lao noi. The Lao language belongs to the Tay-Thai Group. The Lao practise ancestor worship and are influenced by Buddhism. Most of the Lao grow rice in submerged fields using advanced techniques such as ploughing, harrowing and irrigating. Additional family occupations are fairly developed including brocade weaving, blacksmithing, pottery and the making of silver articles.

The Lo-Lo
The Lo Lo are also called Mun Di, O Man, Lac To and so on. There are two small groups: Lo Lo Hoa (Variegated Lo Lo) and Lo Lo Den (Black Lo Lo). Their population is more than 3,000. They live chiefly in Dong Van and Meo Vac districts (Ha Giang province), Bao Lac (Cao Bang) and Muong Khuong (Lao Cai). Their language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman Group. They mainly worship their ancestors. Their source of living depends mainly on maize and rice growing on burnt-over land.

The Hoa
The Hoa practise many various occupations including agriculture, handicrafts, trade, fishing, salt-production and work as manual labourers, teachers, cadres etc. Hoa farmers have a long tradition of cultivating in submerged fields and are highly experienced in all phases of production: use of plough and harrow drawn by two buffaloes, choice of seeds, designs of farm tools and reaping of rice. Craft occupations among the Hoa are well-known and well established.

The HRe
The Hre language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group and has close ties to the Xo-Dang and Ba Na languages. The Hre often hold buffalo-stabbing ceremonies which are accompanied by verses and songs. The Ka-choi and Ka-leu are two very popular tunes. Their musical instruments include the Brook, Ching Ka-la, Ling-Ia (traversal flute), and Ta-lia (longitudinal flute).

The Khang
The Khang mainly practise slash-and-burn farming using traditional techniques. They grow mainly sticky rice, their staple food. In certain places, the Khang plough and harrow the fields, then distribute seeds. They also farm a few terraced fields. Animal husbandry is popular. Their basketry work includes chairs, baskets, flat baskets, suitcases, packs and in swallow-tail shaped wooden boats are much liked by the neighbouring Thai people. The Khang often carry a single-handle pack over their forehead.

The Khmer
Being one of the ethnic groups among the community of nationalities in Vietnam, the Khmer have lived in the Mekong River delta for a long time. Though they preserve their own language and writings, the Khmer have shared with other nationalities a national culture and history of the defence and construction of the homeland. The Khmer live alternatively with the Kinh and Hoa in scrocs (villages) and phums or aps (hamlets). The houses are simply built with mainly thatched but a few with tiled roofs, and doors facing the east. The back roof is often longer than the front. The Khmer used to build the houses by measures of odd numbers such as 5 or 7 metres, and so on.

The Kho-Mu
The Kho Mu live on slash-and-burn cultivation. They mainly grow maize, sweet potatoes and cassava. They use rudimentary tools such as knives, axes and sticks. Hunting and gathering are necessary for daily survival needs, especially in the intervals when the old rice is finished and the new one is not yet harvested. The Kho Mu rear poultry and cattle to provide food for feasts, rites and ceremonies. Basketry has developed to provide food containers. The Kho Mu do not practise cloth weaving, so have to buy cloth and garments from the Thai.

The Kinh
The Kinh or Viet have a population of about 56 million, accounting for about 87% of the total population of the country. They live in all the provinces but most densely in delta areas and urban centres. Their language belongs to the Viet-Muong Group. They carry out cultivation in submerged fields. In the growing of wet rice, they erect dykes and dig canals. Gardening, cattle and poultry raising, fresh water and sea fishing flourish. Pottery developed very early.

The La-Chi
Each household has its own drums and gongs which are used in ritual ceremonies conducted by the head of the family lineage. Children take the family name of their fathers. As part of the wedding presents, the groom’s family has to offer the amount of money that was needed to pay for the bride’s upbringing. The 7th Lunar Month Festival is the largest and merriest activity of the La Chi culture.

The Dao
The Dao have many other names such as Dao quan trang (Dao with white trousers), Dao quan chet (Dao with tight trousers), Dao Tien (Dao with coins), Dao Thanh Y (Dao with blue dresses), Dao Do (Red Dao), Man, Dong, Trai, Xa, Diu, Mien, Lim Mien, Lu Giang, Lan Ten, Dai Ban, Tieu Ban, Coi Ngang, Coi Mua and Son Dau. The Dao population is over 470,000 inhabitants living together with other ethnic groups along the Sino-Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Lao borders and in some midland provinces and provinces along the coastline of northern Vietnam. Dao language belongs to the Mong – Dao Group. The Dao worship their ancestors, called Ban Ho.

The Ede
The Ede have nearly 195,000 inhabitants concentrated in Darlac, south Gia Lai and the western parts of Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces. The Ede are also called Rade, De, Kpan Adham, Krung, Klul, Dlierue, Blo, Epan, Mdhun and Bich. The Ede language belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian Group. The Ede mainly practise cultivation on burnt-over land. The Bich cultivate rice in submerged fields with primitive farming methods such as using buffaloes to trample the fields instead of a plough and using hoes to work the fields. Besides cultivation, the Ede also practise animal husbandry, hunting, gathering, fishing, basketry and weaving.

The Gia-Rai
With a 24,000 plus population, the Gia rai are concentrated in Gia Lai province, a part in Kon Tum province and northern Darlac province. They are also called Gio-rai, To Buan, Hobau, Hdrung and Chor. Their language, close to that of the Ede, Cham, Ra-glai and Chu-ru, belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian Group.

The Giay
The Giay practise rice cultivation in submerged fields. Besides ricefields, cultivation of burnt-over land provides additional crops and the Giay use this land as place to develop animal husbandry. The Giay rear a plenty of buffaloes to pull heavy loads, horses as pack-animals and for transport, and pigs and poultry which supply meat and are used for sacrificial purposes.

The Gie-Trieng
The Gie Trieng live in long houses built on stilts. Houses in the village are arranged in a circle around the Rong (communal house). Young woman decide when they will marry according to their own initiative. The Gie Trieng believe that all beings have a “soul” and a “spirit”. Therefore ritual ceremonies and the watching of good and bad omens have prevailed. The sacrifice of buffaloes is a common ritual ceremony.

The Ha-Nhi
Also called U Ni and Xa U Ni, there are about 12,500 Ha Nhi, in the provinces of Lai Chau and Lao Cai. Ha Nhi language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman Group, while their culture is based on ancestor worship. They live on rice cultivation of burnt-over land or terraced fields. They are one of the groups who are highly skilled at building terraced fields on mountain slopes, digging canals and building small dams. They use ploughs and harrows pulled by oxen and buffaloes to work the fields. The gardens are often close to their houses.

The HMong
The Mong live mainly on nomadic cultivation of burnt-over land. They also grow rice and corn on terraced fields. The principle food crops are corn, rice grown on burnt-over land and rye. Apart from these, they grow linen plants to supply fibres for cloth weaving and medicinal plants. Mong families rear cattle, dogs, horses and chickens. In former days, the Mong believed that animal husbandry was undertaken by women and hunting in forests was the man’s domain.

The Co-Lao
The Co Lao have a population of about 1,500, living in Dong Van and Hoang Su Phi districts (Ha Giang province). They are sometimes called the Ke Lao. The Co Lao language belongs to the Kadai group. In Dong Van, the Co Lao cultivate terraced fields and grow maize in mountain hollows. In Hoang Su Phi they grow rice in submerged fields or hilly soil. Basketry and woodwork are popular handicrafts, they produce bamboo mats, lattices, large winnowing baskets, panniers, tables, chairs and horse saddles.

The Co-Tu
Living in the Truong Son range, the Co-tu practise slash-and-burn cultivation and dig holes to plant seeds. Apart from rice, they practise animal husbandry, cloth weaving and basketry. Food gathering, hunting and fishing are also very common. The exchange of products is carried out by barter. In the Co-tu village, the houses are set out in the form of an ellipse. In the middle of the village is the rong (communal house), a large and beautiful building which towers over all the other dwellings. This house is the place for the reception of guests, to hold meetings, rituals and cultural performances. It is also here that the elders spend most of their time recounting their memories.

The Cong
The Cong mainly cultivate burnt-over land using traditional slash and burn techniques. They make holes in the ground for seeds with sticks. Recently, they have begun using oxen or buffaloes to draw ploughs. Apart from this, agriculture, food gathering and fishing play a major role in Cong life. The Cong catch fish by hand or by using poisonous plants.

The Bru-Van Kieu
The Bru-Van Kieu have a population of more than 40,000. They are also called Tri, Khua and Ma-Coong. They are concentrated in the mountain regions of Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces. The Bru-Van Kieu live mainly from rice cultivation of burnt-over land and in submerged fields. Hunting, gathering and fishing provide an important source of food. They rear cattle and poultry, firstly for religious sacrifices, then for their meals. Basketry and palm mat-making are their sideline occupations.

The Cham
The Cham follow Islam and Brahmanism. Brahmanism’s doctrines draw about three-fifths of the Cham population in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan Provinces. Matriarchy still exists in Cham society as daughters carry the family name of their mothers. A woman’s family marries the groom for their daughter. After marriage, the groom comes to live with his wife’s household. The right of inheritance is reserved for daughters only. The youngest daughter, however, must care for her aging parents.

The Cho-Ro
The Cho Ro live in houses built on stilts and on the ground. Both patriarchal and matriarchal customs have significance in the family life of the Cho Ro. The Cho Ro believe that all things have souls and spirits. These spirits have an invisible control over humans which forces them to become involved in worshipping rituals and puts special taboos on them. The most important worshipping ritual is the one that pays respect to the souls of the forest and the rice plant.

The Chu-Ru
The Chu Ru are also called Cho Ru and Chu. They have a population of more than 10,000, chiefly living in Don Duong district (Lam Dong), and the rest in Binh Thuan province. The Chu Ru language belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian group. They adopted a sedentary life and practised farming very early. Nowadays they also practise sericulture and life is fairly stable. Apart from cultivation, they raise cattle, pigs, goats and poultry. They make bamboo and rattan handicrafts and tools such as sickles, picks and knives. Some villages are well known for their pottery. Hunting and gathering and picking are sideline occupations in every family.

The Chut
The Chut have a population of about 2,400, a large part of whom inhabits the Minh Hoa and Tuyen Hoa districts of Quang Binh province. Their other names are Ruc, Sach, Arem, May, Ma Lieng, Tu Vang, Pa Leng, Xe Lang, To Hung, Cha Cu, Tac Cuc, Ymo and Xa La Vang. The Chut language belongs to the Viet-Muong Group.

The Co
The Co, also known as the Cor, Col, Cua and Trau, have a population of more than 22,600, mainly in the Tra My district of Quang Nam – Da Nang province and the Tra Bong district of Quang Ngai province. The Co language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group. Concepts of animism prevail among the Co and they believe in many spirits, especially the spirit of the rice.

The Co-Ho
The young Co Ho women play an active role in marriage. Monogamy is practiced in Co Ho society. After the wedding, the groom comes to live with his wife’s family. The Co Ho believe in the existence of many deities including the sun, moon, mountain, river, earth, and rice.

The Ba-Na
The Ba na live mainly on cultivation of burnt-over land which brings them rice, subsidiary crops, vegetables, fruit, sugarcane and cotton for cloth weaving. Apart from burnt-over land cultivation, the Ba na rear cattle poultry, pigs and goats. Dogs are loved as pets and are never killed. Almost all the villages have forges. In certain places, the Ba na have produced simple pottery, women weave cloth to make their family’s clothes. Men practise basketry and mat-making. The Ba na often barter goods such as cocks, axes, baskets of paddy, pigs or copper pots, jars, gongs and buffaloes.

The Bo-Y
The Bo Y are also known as the Chung Cha, Trong Gia, Tu Di, Tu Din and Pu Na. They have a population of about 1,500 concentrated in the provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang. The Bo Y language belongs to the Tay-Thai Group. Ancestor worship is the basis of their religion. Three josstick containers are placed on the altar, the middle one for the heaven, one for the god of the kitchen and the other for the ancestors.

The Brau
The Brau, also known as the Brao, mainly inhabit at Dak Tum village, in Bo Y commune, Ngoc Hoi district, Kon Tum province. The Brau language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group. In their animist religion, Pa Xay is the creator of the universe, heaven, earth, rivers, streams, rain, wind, human beings and death.