Vietnam is a country rich in culture, history, and diversity. One of the most fascinating aspects of Vietnam is its ethnic communities, each with its unique customs, traditions, and way of life. In the Northwest region of Vietnam, there are many ethnic groups that have been living in the region for many years creating a vibrant and diverse culture. In this blog post, we will explore the alluring ethnic communities in Northwest Vietnam.
The Ethnic Communities Thai Group
Thai ethnic group is one of the largest in Vietnam, with over 1 million people. They mainly settle in provinces such as Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, and scattered in some northern mountainous provinces. The Thai people use a variety of languages and scripts and have preserved many ancient Thai books that record the nation’s history and love songs. Thai costumes frequently reveal their cultural identity, with women’s costumes typically including short tops, long dresses, skirts, scarves, hats, leggings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Thai cuisine is famous for sticky rice, which can be spotted in every meal, and Com lam, used on holidays, Tet holidays, or to treat guests. Besides, the Thai people also have an interesting way of making alcohol from sticky rice called “ruou can.” They use a long bamboo pipe to drink the alcohol with their friends and family, creating a friendly and lively atmosphere.
The Ethnic Communities Mong Group
The Mong people are a large ethnic group in northern Vietnam, contributing to enriching the culture of Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Hmong people include many branches, such as Hoa Mong, Black Hmong, and White Hmong, living scattered throughout the Northwest mountains. The unique feature of Mong costumes is that they are quite eye-catching and colorful. The costumes are often made from bright colored fabric and adorned with intricate embroidery and silver jewelry.
The Mong people have a rich culture and a strong tradition of music. They have their unique musical instruments such as the leaf-horn, leaf-flute, and leaf-harp. The Mong people also have many traditional festivals, including the Long Tong festival, which celebrates the harvest and good luck for the coming year. During the festival, Mong people dress in their traditional costumes, dance, sing, and play their traditional musical instruments, creating a festive atmosphere.
The Ethnic Communities Muong Group
The Muong people have a population of more than one million people and have the same origin as the ancient Vietnamese. They reside in many northern provinces, especially in Hoa Binh province. Their cultural identity is associated with Hoa Binh culture, born more than ten thousand years ago. Muong ethnic people are well-known for their unique music, with songs and verses that are often strangely attractive to listeners. They have their unique musical instrument called “dan tinh” made from a long piece of bamboo and played with your fingers.
The Muong people are also skilled in handicrafts such as weaving, embroidery, and pottery. Their products are often intricate and beautiful, reflecting their culture and tradition. The Muong people also have many traditional festivals, such as the Khuoc village festival, which celebrates the harvest and the coming of spring. During the festival, people dress in their traditional costumes, dance, sing, and play their unique musical instruments.
The Ethnic Communities Dao Group
The Dao people are one of the most populous and unique ethnic groups, mainly living in the Northwest mountainous provinces like Sapa town. Red Dao women often wear very special costumes with red headscarves and many silver costumes. The Dao people are famous for their diverse folk games, including ritual games, games for drinking, or games on Tet holidays.
The Dao people have a strong sense of community and a rich cultural heritage. They have many traditional festivals, such as the Gau Tao festival, which is held to commemorate their ancestors and pray for a good harvest. During the festival, people dress in their traditional costumes, dance, sing, and play their unique musical instruments, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.
The Tay Group
The Tay people have been present in Vietnam since possibly the second half of the first millennium BC. They have a tradition of water farming and have applied various irrigation methods in farming. The Tay people have their own script as well as a long-preserved cultural tradition. They often live in lowland areas with fertile soil and wear indigo-dyed clothing.
The Tay people are skilled in handicrafts such as weaving, embroidery, and pottery. Their products are often intricate and beautiful, reflecting their culture and tradition. The Tay people also have many traditional festivals, such as the Quan Doi festival, which is held to pray for good weather and a good harvest. During the festival, people dress in their traditional costumes, dance, sing, and play their unique musical instruments.
Final Thought
In conclusion, the ethnic communities in Northwest Vietnam are incredibly rich and diverse, and each group‘s features, customs, and habits bring their unique beauty that can attract many visitors. These ethnic communities’ festivals, music, costumes, and handicrafts offer a glimpse into Vietnam’s vibrant and diverse culture. If you’re curious about Northwest Vietnam’s ethnic communities, make sure to visit and explore their unique traditions and customs.
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