Thursday, December 2, 2010 , 7:08 PM

⇨The indigenous groups

Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups found all over the country. The video below gives an overview of all 54 ethnic groups.



However, as Dictionary Reference defines it, indigenous means originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country, in other words, native. Out of all the groups mentioned above, only 9 of them are indigenous to Vietnam. The rest of them immigrated to Vietnam throughout the years.

1. The Kinh (viet)

Population: About 65 million

Locality: Densely clustered in delta areas as well as urban centres

Customs and Habits: Live near bamboo groves and in mud houses. Enjoy chewing betel, smoking water pipes and cigarettes as well as drinking tea.
the husband is considered the head of the family and each family lineage has a temple on its own for their forefathers and the head of the family lineage usually handles all common affairs.

Costumes: Traditionally in the North, men wear a brown pajama set while women wear a four-paneled robe, bra and trousers which are also in brown. In the South, both men and women wear black pajamas.

Livelihood: The Kinh mainly focus on rice cultivation although some of them do raise cattle and poultry. They also specialise in pottery production.


2. Muong

Population: More than 914,600 people

Locality: Concentrated in the Ho Binh province as well as mountainous districts of Thanh Hoa province

Customs and Habits: The Muong hold many ceremonies throughout the year including praying for rain, washing rice leaves and going to the fields. Music is played through instruments like the gong, two-stringed violin, drums, flutes and pan-pipes.

Costumes:Men dress in indigo pajamas while women are clad in a white rectangular scarf with bra, short vest that is without buttons in the front and a long skirt. The skirt is held in place by a large silk belt embroidered with various motifs like flowers, dragons, phoenix or birds.

Livelihood: They practice farming and wet rice cultivation. The women are generally involved in weaving, basketry and silk spinning.


3. Tay

Population: about 1.2 million people

Locality: Live in valleys and mountain slopes of the Cao Bang and Ha Bac province

Customs and Habits: Ancestor worship is important in the culture of the Tay. Tay villages are often built in front a mountain and named after a mountain, field or river. A village consists of 15-20 households.

Costumes: Tay women wear knee-length dresses, which are split at the right side with five buttons and short sleeves.

Livelihood: Cultivate plants such as rice,maize and sweet potato.


4. Nung

Population: about 706,000 people

Locality: Located in various provinces such as Bac Thai, Ha Bac and Cao Bang.

Customs and Habits: Nung houses are always built on stilts with a submerged field in front of the house and a garden at the back. They mainly worship ancestors, spirits, Kuan Yin and saints. They have a written culture called the Nom Nung and songs called sli.

Costumes: Mainly sport indigo attire.

Livelihood: They cultivate rice, corn, and fruit trees.


5. Ba Na

Population: more than 136,000 people

Locality: Found in Kon Tum and Phu Yen province

Customs and Habits: In each village, there is a communal house called the rong. According to customs, a young man and womean can take the initiative to get maried, and parents are only involved to ensure the respect of traditions.
Costumes: Men waer loinclothes while women wear sarongs.

Livelihood: Slash and burn agriculture and rearing of lifestock. However, they are also famous for their woodcravings and decorative crafts.


6. Xo Dang

Population: about 97,000 people

Locality: Concentrated in Kon Tum province but some are scattered in mountainous regions

Customs and Habits: The Xo Dang believe in animism and the worship of spirits. The vilage chief is the most respected person. They do not have family names as the proper name consist of only one prefix indicating their sex- "A" for men and "Y" for women. Also, buffalo slaughtering ritual is held annually.

Costumes: Women wear black sleeveless tops with long skirts with black and red stripes.

Livelihood: Farming is their main source of income. They also engage in blacksmithing, fishing, weaving, basketry and hunting.


7. Gie Trieng

Population: about 27,000 people

Locality: Concentrated in Kon Tum province and mountainous ares in Quam Nam Da-Nang

Customs and Habits: the Gie Trieng live in long houses built on stilts. Houses in the village are built around the communal house. The people also believe that all beings have a soul and a spirit. Similarly to the Xo Dang, buffalo slaughtering is a common ritual.

Costumes: Men usually wear loin clothes while women waer skirts long enought o cover their chest.

Livelihood: Live on mainly cultivation of land, hunting and fishing.


8. Hre

Population: about 95,000 people

Locality: Live in the western parts of Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh province

Customs and Habits: The village is made up of small sized family unit. The village chief enjoys the most privilege and respect. They like to play songs using traversal and longitudinal flutes.

Costumes: Men wear loin clothes and waist-deep vests. They may also wear turbans.

Livelihood: farming and wet rice cultivation is their main source of income.


9. Van Kieu

Population: more than 60,000 people

Locality: Live in mountain regions in Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue province

Customs and Habits: Villages are built near rivers and streams and are always arragned in accordance to the water flow. The maternal uncle has decision power in house construction as well as holding an important place in ceremonies. They worship their ancestors, fire as well as kitchen deities.

Costumes: Women wear traditional clothes like short vests, long black skirts, scareves and ornaments.

Livelihood: Live on rice cultivation as well as hunting and rearing of cattle. They also engage in basketry and palm mat-making.

Labels: indigenous groups