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 of southern Vietnam with powerful kingdoms that lasted until the 10th century. Today, the remaining coastal Cham communities are predominantly Hindu, worshipping Shiva, and adhering to matrilineal traditions inherited from their ancestors. They sustain themselves through farming, silk weaving, and crafting intricate gold and silver jewelry.

In contrast, Cham groups near the Cambodian border have embraced Islam, practice patrilineal customs, and primarily engage in river fishing, weaving, and cross-border trade, with limited involvement in agriculture. While many Cham have integrated Vietnamese customs and attire into their daily lives, their traditional arts—especially music and dance—have experienced a cultural resurgence in recent years.

Hoa People

Population: 800,000
Primary Locations: Mekong Delta

Known as the Hoa in Vietnamese, ethnic Chinese represent one of Vietnam’s largest minority groups. Their migration to Vietnam spans centuries, beginning as administrators, merchants, and refugees fleeing turmoil in southern China. Significant migrations occurred during the collapse of the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century, throughout the 19th century, and in the 1940s.

Until the 19th century, the Hoa were regarded as distinctly Chinese, even those of mixed heritage. However, over time, they were allowed to hold public office and gradually integrated into Vietnamese society. Despite this, the Hoa often maintain close-knit communities based on their Chinese ancestral provinces.

Typically settling in urban areas, the Hoa have excelled as merchants, artisans, and business leaders, playing a vital role in Vietnam’s economy. However, their commercial dominance and historical ties to China have occasionally fueled mistrust among the Vietnamese majority. After 1975, socialist reforms disproportionately targeted the Hoa, resulting in widespread persecution. This tension escalated during China’s 1979 invasion of Vietnam, prompting thousands of Hoa to flee the country. Many became part of the infamous “boat people” exodus, with estimates suggesting that up to a third of the Hoa population left Vietnam during this period.

Khmer People

Population: 1,300,000
Primary Locations: Mekong Delta

The Khmer, also known as the Khmer Krom in Vietnam, are the indigenous inhabitants of the Mekong Delta. Many Khmer have lived in Vietnam for generations, while some sought refuge during Cambodia’s Pol Pot regime in the late 1970s.

Renowned for their expertise in irrigation and wet-rice cultivation, Khmer farmers grow nearly 150 rice varieties, each adapted to specific local conditions. Traditionally, they lived in stilt houses built on raised mounds to protect against seasonal flooding. However, modern Khmer homes are often constructed at ground level along canals and roads. Despite these changes, the pagoda remains central to Khmer villages, adorned with brightly patterned roofs and sacred dragon motifs known as neak.

The Khmer are followers of Theravada Buddhism, a faith they have practiced since the 13th century, aligning them culturally with Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. They are also known for producing fine silk textiles, intricately woven baskets, and their signature red-and-white checkered scarves.

This updated overview highlights the cultural richness and resilience of these ethnic groups, offering a contemporary understanding of their contributions and challenges in Vietnam’s southern regions.