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Tribes and Villages of Vietnam

Ancient Traditions Amidst Timeless Landscapes

In Vietnam’s rural heartlands—where lush green rice terraces carve the hillsides and rivers snake through misty valleys—there lies a quieter, older Vietnam. Here, hill tribes and ethnic minority communities maintain deeply rooted traditions that offer a window into the country’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

Vietnam is one of the most ethnically diverse nations in Southeast Asia, home to 54 officially recognized ethnic groups. While the majority Kinh people dominate the lowlands and urban centres, these minority groups mostly inhabit the mountainous and agricultural regions of the north and central highlands. Their unique languages, clothing, cuisines, and spiritual practices form an irreplaceable thread in the cultural fabric of Vietnam.

Here are a few of the many tribes throughout Vietnam:

Tay — Guardians of the Valleys

Size of Demographic

The Tays are Vietnam’s largest and most established ethnic minority, numbering over 1.7 million people. Their deep historical roots and widespread presence make them a cultural cornerstone among Vietnam’s hill tribes.

Region

Historical records and oral traditions indicate the Tays settled in the fertile valleys northeast of Hanoi around 500 A.D., drawn by the region’s temperate climate and abundant water sources. Today, their communities remain centered in the northern provinces of Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, and Thai Nguyen. These provinces are marked by terraced rice fields, bamboo groves, and stilt houses built along winding mountain roads.

Language

The Tay language belongs to the Tai-Kadai family, which also includes languages spoken in Laos and Thailand. It’s a tonal language, where inflection shifts can alter meaning—much like Vietnamese itself. Many Tay people are bilingual, speaking both Tay and Vietnamese fluently, particularly in areas with greater Kinh integration.

Religion

The Tay people blend animism, ancestor worship, and spirit veneration, creating a unique worldview that sees all elements of the natural world—rivers, rocks, animals—as alive with spirit. Important ceremonies often involve shamans, known locally as thầy mo, who act as spiritual mediators. Ancestor altars, found in nearly every Tay household, are regularly tended with incense, food offerings, and family prayers.

H’mong — Masters of the Highlands

Size of Demographic

The H’mong population in Vietnam is estimated at 1 million, making them one of the most prominent minority groups. Their culture, colourfully expressed through their clothing, textiles, and festivals, is an essential highlight in northern Vietnam.

Region

The H’mong people migrated from southern China in the 18th and 19th centuries during periods of political unrest. They settled in the remote highland areas along the Chinese and Lao borders, particularly in Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Son La, and Dien Bien. Their villages are perched high in the mountains, often surrounded by layered rice paddies carved into steep slopes.

Clothing

H’mong attire is a visual celebration of identity. The community is divided into several subgroups, often identified by the style and colour of their garments: White, Black, Red, Green, and Flower H’mong.

The Flower H’mong, especially found in Bac Ha, are known for their dazzling embroidery, hand-dyed batik fabrics, and rows of brightly coloured beads and sequins. Clothing is made entirely by hand using indigo dyeing, hand-stitching, and applique techniques passed down through generations.

Language

The H’mong speak a language from the Hmong-Mien family, which includes a variety of dialects. Some subgroups speak mutually unintelligible dialects, yet all share strong oral storytelling traditions. Today, efforts are underway to preserve and promote written forms of the H’mong language in Vietnamese schools and cultural institutions.

Tai — River People of the Northwest

Size of Demographic

The Tai ethnic umbrella covers a variety of closely related groups, including the Tay, Thai, Nung, and San Chay. Combined, they number about 1.6 million in Vietnam. The term “Tai” refers to shared ancestry and linguistic heritage, but each subgroup retains its own rich identity.

Region

Tai people are believed to have migrated from southern China centuries ago, seeking fertile lands and temperate climates. Today, they mainly inhabit the northwestern provinces of Son La, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, and Yen Bai, often near rivers and lakes. The riverside settlements influence both their lifestyle and spiritual beliefs, with water often viewed as a sacred life source.

Clothing

The Tai people’s dress styles are among the most distinctive in Vietnam. Each subgroup—White Tai, Black Tai, and Red Tai—has its own traditional dress:

  • Black Tai women wear indigo-black tunics with silver buttons shaped like insects or flowers.

  • White Tai women wear white tops with long black skirts and white headscarves.

  • Red Tai women are known for striking red headdresses and embroidered sashes.

These garments are not just decorative—they signify ethnic identity, marital status, and regional pride.

Cuisine

Tai cuisine emphasizes grilled meats, fresh vegetables, sticky rice, and wild herbs. Signature dishes include:

  • Cá nướng (grilled river fish marinated in lemongrass and galangal),

  • Xôi ngũ sắc (five-colour sticky rice dyed with natural plant-based colours),

  • Lạp (herbed minced meat salad), and

  • Bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls filled with wood ear mushrooms and pork).
    Food is often served communally, reflecting the importance of family and community bonds.

Red Dao — Mountain Herbalists and Textile Artists

Size of Demographic

The Red Dao (also spelled Dzao or Yao) make up one of Vietnam’s most distinctive ethnic minority groups, with an estimated 700,000 people spread across the northern highlands.

Region

Red Dao communities are most commonly found in the mountainous regions of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, and Yen Bai, often at higher elevations than neighbouring groups like the Tay or H’mong. Their villages cling to the slopes of forested valleys, where mist lingers over terraced fields and herbal plants thrive.

Clothing

Red Dao women are among the most elaborately dressed in Vietnam. Their traditional attire features deep indigo fabrics hand-dyed and embroidered with intricate red and white patterns. A hallmark of their appearance is the bold red headscarf, often decorated with tassels, coins, or silver jewelry. Women typically shave their eyebrows and part of their forehead as a cultural beauty practice.

Their embroidery is not only ornamental—it tells stories of their ancestry, beliefs, and the natural world. Red Dao garments are entirely hand-stitched, and the skills are passed down through generations, beginning in early childhood.

Herbal Medicine

The Red Dao are renowned for their deep knowledge of traditional herbal medicine, much of it passed down orally. They use roots, leaves, bark, and flowers to create remedies for ailments, and are especially known for their herbal bath practices. These therapeutic baths—steeped with up to 100 plant varieties—are used for postnatal recovery, fatigue relief, and general well-being. Some Red Dao villages supply these baths commercially, continuing an ancient tradition in a modern world.

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Vietnam & Angkor Wat

If you come to Vietnam for the delicious food, dramatic landscapes and bustling markets, you will stay for the people whose complex history and rich heritage continue to seduce even the most seasoned travellers. Be humbled by the recounting of war-time stories with French colonial buildings as a backdrop in Ho Chi Minh City. Embrace the sense of awe that takes over while waking up to the dragon-like island formations dotting Ha Long Bay. Get up close and personal with locals while discovering true foodie culture, spanning from humble broths to rich curries. The sprawling temples of Angkor will leave you speechless, as Cambodia’s ancient traditions contrast with modern culture.

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