54 ETHNIC GROUPS

Other name: Kinh Population About 65.8 million people Locality These people live in all provinces but mainly in the delta areas and urban centres. The Vietnamese people (Kinh) are an ethnic group originating from what is now northern Vietnam and southern China. This group is the majority ethnic group of Vietnam. In fact, Kinh /...Read More

Other names: Keo, Mon, Cuoi, Ho, Tay Poong, Dan Lai, and Ly Ha Population 68,394 people Locality The Tho live mainly in the western parts of Nghe An Province. Customs & Habits Formerly, the Tho lived in houses built on stilts. Now they prefer houses built on the ground. Close relationships and a desire to...Read More

Other names: Moi, Mual, Moi, Moi Bi, Au Ta and Ao Ta) Population More than 1,137,515 people Locality The largest population is mainly in Hoa Binh Province and the mountainous districts of Thanh Hoa Province. Customs & Habits In former days, the “lang dao” system characterized Muong society. The “lang dao” ruled the Muong regions....Read More

Other names: Ruc, Sach, Arem, May, Ma Lieng, Tu Vang, Pa Leng, Xe Lang, To Hung, Cha Cu, Tac Cuc, Ymo, and Xa La Vang Population 3,829 people Locality Minh Hoa and Tuyen Hoa districts of Quang Binh Province. Customs & Habits Though most Chut people live a sedentary life, their villages are quite far from...Read More

Other name: Tay, Tay Dam, Tay Khao, Tay Muoi, Tay Thanh, Hang Tong, and Pu Thay Population 1,328,725 people Locality Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, and Nghe An provinces. Customs & Habits The Thai worship their ancestors, the heavens, the earth, ban, and “muong”. They also hold rituals to pray for good...Read More

Other names: Tho, Ngan, Phen, Thu Lao, and Pa Di Population 1,477,514 people Locality The Tay lives along the valleys and the lower slopes of the mountains in Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, and Quang Ninh provinces. They also live in some regions of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces. Customs & Habits Ancestor...Read More

Other names: Cao Lan, San Chi, Man Cao Lan, and Hon Ban Population 147,315 people Locality They live mainly in Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, and Bac Giang provinces. In addition, there are communities of San Chay in Quang Ninh, Yen Bai, Lang Son, and Vinh Phuc provinces. Customs & Habits Ancestral worship is widely practised...Read More

Other names: Xuong, Giang, Nung An, Nung Coi, Phan Sinh, Nung Chao, Nung Inh, Qui Rin, Nung Din, and Khen Lai Population 856,412 people Locality Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Thai, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Tuyen Quang provinces. Customs & Habits The Nung mainly worship their ancestors, spirits, saints, Confucius, and Kwan Yin. Nung...Read More

Other names: Nhuon and Duon Population 4,964 people Locality Phong Tho and Sin Ho Districts of Lai Chau Province. Customs & Habits The Lu practice Buddhism. After they buried the dead person, the family hold a rite which brings the dead’s soul to the pagoda. The Lu lives in houses on stilts with two roofs...Read More

Other names: Lao Boc and Lao Noi Population 11,611 people Locality Concentrated in Dien Bien City (Dien Bien Province); Phong Tho and Than Uyen districts (Lai Chau Province); Song Ma District (Son La Province). Customs & Habits The Lao worship their ancestors and practice Buddhism. The Lao often take the family names of Lo, Luong,...Read More