Category: Vietnam’s ethnic minorities

As the Viet people expanded southward along the coastal plains and into the Mekong Delta, they displaced two prominent ethnic groups—the Cham and the Khmer—whose descendants continue to live in the region today. Cham People Population: 130,000 Primary Locations: Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and areas near the Cambodian border Historically, the Cham ruled over much […]

The Central Highlands of Vietnam is home to a vibrant array of ethnic minority groups, most of whom are indigenous peoples. These communities often follow matrilineal traditions, value communal living, and observe intricate burial rituals. Over centuries, their cultures have demonstrated remarkable resilience against external influences. Historical Influence Christianity made significant inroads into the Central […]

The rugged northern mountains of Vietnam are home to diverse ethnic groups, many of whom trace their origins to southern China. Among the most prominent are the Tay and Thai, historically powerful feudal communities that have long dominated the fertile valleys. Meanwhile, more recently arrived groups, such as the Hmong and Dao, inhabit the higher, […]

Traditional Relations with the Viet Majority Historically, the ethnic minorities of Vietnam maintained a complex relationship with the ruling Viet kings. While they were expected to pay tribute, they were largely left to manage their own affairs. This dynamic shifted significantly with the arrival of Catholic missionaries in the Central Highlands, who converted many ethnic […]

Vietnam is home to over 97 million people, with 86% identifying as ethnic Vietnamese (Kinh). Around 900,000 are of Chinese (Hoa) descent, while the remaining population includes approximately 11 million individuals from 52 officially recognized ethnic minority groups. These groups are further divided into numerous subgroups, some comprising thousands of members, while others consist of […]