Vietnam is a multi-nationality country with 54 ethnic groups. The Viet (Kinh) people account for 87% of the country’s population and mainly inhabit the Red River delta, the central coastal delta, the Mekong delta and major cities. The other 53 ethnic minority groups, totaling over 8 million people, are scattered over mountain areas (covering two-thirds of the country’s territory) spreading from the North to the South.
Among ethnic minorities, the most populated are Tay, Thai, Muong, Hoa, Khmer, Nung... with a population of around 1 million each, while the least populated are Brau, Roman, Odu with several hundred people each.
The Viet people succeeded in establishing a centralized monarchy right in the 10th century. The Cham people once boasted a flourishing culture early in the history. The Tay, Nung, and Khmer peoples had reached high levels of development with the presence of various social strata. The Muong, H’mong, Dao, Thai peoples... gathered under the rule of local tribal heads. Many ethnic groups divided their population into social echelons, especially those who lived in mountainous areas.
A number of ethnic minorities had mastered some farming techniques. They grew rice plants in swamped paddy fields and carried out irrigation. Others went hunting, fishing, collecting and lived a semi-nomadic life. Each group has its own culture, diverse and special. Beliefs and religions of the Vietnamese ethnic minority groups were also disparate from each other.
However, a fundamental solidarity among ethnic groups has been established on top of this difference as a result of a centuries long cooperation on the soil of Vietnam. Right in the first century of the history, a mutual supplement in economic relationship between lowland people and mountainous people was formed. This solidarity had been unceasingly strengthened during wars of resistance for defending the country. Through the shared struggle for defending and building of the country and the mutual assistance for co-existence and development, a common community between the Viet people and other ethnic minority peoples had been established and continuously consolidated and developed.
Nonetheless, an evident gap in the material and moral life has indeed still existed between peoples living in the deltas and those living in mountain areas as well as among ethnic minorities themselves. The Vietnamese government has worked out specific policies and special treatments in order to help mountainous people catching up with lowland people, and made great efforts to develop and preserve traditional cultural identities of each ethnic minority group. At present, the programs of providing iodized salt for remote villages, equipping village’s health care and hygienic station, fighting malaria, building free schools for ethnic minority children, settled agriculture and fixed residence, and projects of creating new writing scripts for minority peoples and studying and developing traditional culture of each ethnic minority group... have obtained satisfactory results.
Composition and Distribution
of the Vietnamese Ethnic Minority Groups
No. |
Name |
Population |
Other names |
Sub-groups |
Locations of inhabitation |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
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1 |
Kinh |
55,900,000 |
ViÖt |
|
All over the country |
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2 |
Tµy |
1,190,000 |
Thæ |
Ng¹n, Ph¸n, Thu lao, PadÝ |
Hµ Giang, Tuyªn Quang, Lao Cai, Yªn B¸i, Cao B»ng, Lai Ch©u, B¾c Th¸i, Hµ B¾c |
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3 |
Th¸i |
1,040,000 |
Tµy |
T¸y Khao (White Th¸i), T¸y §¨m (Black Th¸i), T¸y ChiÒng or T¸y M¬ng (Hµng Tæng), T¸y Thanh (Man Thanh), T¸y Mêng, Pu Thay, Thæ §µ B¾c, T¸y Méc Ch©u (T¸y §eng) |
S¬n La, Lai Ch©u, NghÖ An, Thanh Ho¸, Lao Cai, Yªn B¸i, Hoµ B×nh, L©m §ång... |
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4 |
Mêng |
914, 000 |
Mol, Mual, Mäi |
Mäi Bi, Ao T¸ (¢u T¸) |
Hoµ B×nh, Thanh Ho¸, VÜnh Phó, Yªn B¸i, S¬n La, Ninh B×nh |
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5 |
Hoa |
900,000 |
Kh¸ch, Tµu, H¸n |
TriÒn Ch©u, Phóc KiÕn, Qu¶ng §«ng, Qu¶ng T©y, H¶i Nam, X¹ Phang, Thoßng Nh»n, HÑ |
Kiªn Giang, H¶i Phßng, VÜnh Long, Trµ Vinh, Qu¶ng Ninh, §ång Nai, HËu Giang, Minh H¶i, Ho Chi Minh City |
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6 |
Khmer |
895,000 |
|
Miªn, Cur, Cul, Thæ, Khmer-orrigin Viet, Khmer Kr«m |
HËu Giang, VÜnh Long, Trµ Vinh, Kiªn Giang, Minh H¶i, T©y Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, S«ng BÐ, An Giang |
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7 |
Nïng |
705,000 |
|
Nïng Xuång, Nïng Giang, Nïng An, Nïng Phµn S×nh, Nïng Lßi, Nïng Tïng Sl×n, Nïng Ch¸o, Nïng Quý |
Cao B»ng, L¹ng S¬n, B¾c Th¸i, Hµ Giang, Tuyªn Quang, Hµ B¾c, Qu¶ng Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, L©m §ång, §¾c L¾c, Laos |
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8 |
Hmong |
556 000 |
Mèo, Meo, Man, Mieu Toc |
Meo Hoa, Meo bleu, Meo rouge, Meo noir, Na Mieo, Meo blanc |
Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Lao Cai,Lai Chau, Son La, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Hoa binh, Bac Thai |
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9 |
Dao (Zao) |
474 000 |
Man, Dong, Trai, Ziu, Mien, Kiem, Kim Mun |
Zao Dai Ban, Zao Do (rouge), Zao Coc Ngang, Zao Coc Mun, Zao Lo Giang, Zao Quan Chet, Zao Tam Dao, Zao Tien, Zao Quan Trang, Zao Lan Tien, Zao Ao zai |
Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Thai, Lai Chau, Son La, Vinh Phu, Ha Bac, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, Hoa Binh, Ha Tay |
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10 |
Giarai |
242 000 |
Moi, Chrai |
Cho, Hdung, Arap, Mdhur, Tbuan |
Gia Lai, Kong Tum, Dac Lac |
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11 |
Édé |
183 000 |
De, Moi |
Radé, Rhadé, Edé Ega, Anak Edé, Kpa Adam, krung Ktul, Dlié, Rué, Blo, Epan, Mdhur, Bih,Kdrao, Dong Kay, Dong Mak, Ening, Arul, Hning, Kmun, Ktlé |
Dac Lac, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa |
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12 |
Bana |
137 000 |
Bnam, Roh, Kon, Kdé, Ala Cong, Kpang Cong |
Tlo, Glar, Rngao, Krem, Geloeng (Yloeng) |
Kon Tum, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen |
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13 |
San Chay |
114 000 |
Man, Cao Lan San, Chi, Hon, Chung, Son Tu |
Cao Lan, San Chi |
Bac Thai, Tuyen Quang, Quang Ninh, Ha Bac, Lang Son, Vinh Phu, yen Bai |
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14 |
cham |
99 000 |
Chiem Thanh, Cham Pa, Hoi |
Cham Hroi, Cham Chau Doc, Cha Va, Ku, Cham Pong |
Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, An Giang, Ho Chi Minh Ville, Binh Dinh, PhuYen, Chau Doc, Khanh Hoa |
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15 |
Sdang |
97 000 |
Kmerong, Hdang, Konelane Brila |
Steng, Tra, Mename, Halang, Casong, Chau, Tatché, (Tatchi) |
Kong Tum, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Quang Ngai |
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16 |
San Ziu |
94 630 |
Tchai, Tchai Dat, San Zo, Man Kwan Cok, Man Vay Xer |
|
Quang Ninh, Ha Bac, Hai Hung, Bac Thai, Vinh Phu, Tuyen Quang |
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17 |
Hré |
94 000 |
Moi Da Vach, Chamré, Moi Luy, Thach Bich, Moi Son Phong |
|
Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh |
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18 |
K'ho |
92 000 |
|
Sré, Nop (Tu Nop), Kzon, Chil, Lat (Lach), Tring |
Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa |
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19 |
Raglai |
72 000 |
Orang, Glay, Roglay, Radlay, Moi |
Raclay (Ray), Noong (Laoang) |
Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong |
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20 |
Mnong |
67 000 |
|
Gar, Chil, Rlam, Preh, Kuenh, Nong, Bu Dang, Prang, Dip, Biet, Si To, Bu Deh |
Dac Lac, Lam Dong |
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21 |
Tho |
51 000 |
|
Kuo, Mon, cuoi, Ho, Dan Lai Ly Ha, Tay Poong (Con Kha, Xa La Vang) |
Nghe An, Thanh Hoa |
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22 |
Xtieng |
50 000 |
Xa Dieng Moi, Ta Mun |
|
Song Be, Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dac Lac |
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23 |
Khmu |
43 000 |
Xa Cou, Bu Thenh, Tay Hay, Viet, Cang, Kha |
Quang Lam |
Son La, Lai Chau, Nghe An, Yen Bai |
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24 |
Bru Van Kieu |
40 000 |
|
Van Kieu, Mang Koong, Tri, Khua, Bru |
Quang Binh, Quang Tri |
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25 |
Zay (Giáy) |
38 000 |
Nhang Giang, Sa Nhan, Pau Thin, Chung, Cha, Pu Nam |
Pu Na (Cui Chu ou Quy Chau) |
Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Lai Chau |
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26 |
Ktu |
37 000 |
Katu, Katang, Moi, Cao, Ha |
Phuong, Kantua |
Quang Nam, Da Nang, Thua Thien Hue |
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27 |
Gietrieng |
27 000 |
Giang Ray, Brila, Katang, Moi, Doan |
Gié (Dgieh, Tareh), Trieng (Treng), Ve, Lave, Panoong (Bnoong) |
Quang Nam, Da Nang, Kong Tum |
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28 |
Taoi |
26 000 |
Toi Oi, Tahoi, Ta Oih, Ta Uat (Atuat) |
Paco, Bahi, Cantua |
Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue |
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29 |
Ma |
25 000 |
|
Chau Ma, Cho Ma, Moi |
Lam Dong, Dong Nai |
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30 |
Co |
23 000 |
Trau, Cua,Moi, Col, Cor, Khua |
|
Quang Ngai, Quang Nam, Da Nang |
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31 |
Chro |
15 000 |
Chauro, Zro, Moi |
|
Dong Nai |
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32 |
Ha Nhi |
12 500 |
U Ni, Xa U Ni, Ha Nhi Gia |
Ha Nhi Co Cho, Ha Nhi La Mi, Ha Nhi Den |
Lai Chau, Lao Cai |
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33 |
Xinh Mun |
11 000 |
Puoc, Pua, Xa |
Za, Nghet |
Son La, Lai Chau
|
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34 |
Churu |
11 000 |
Chru, Kru, Moi |
|
Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan |
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35 |
Lao |
10 000 |
Lao Boc, Lao Noi |
|
Son La, Lai Chau |
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36 |
Lachi |
8 000 |
Tho Den, Cu Té, Xa, Lati, Man Chi |
|
Ha Giang |
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37 |
Phu La |
6 500 |
|
Bo Kho Pa (Xa Pho), Mun Di Pa, Phu La Den, Phu La Hoa, Phu La Blanc, Phu La Han, Chu La Phu La |
Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Son La, Ha Giang |
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38 |
La Hu |
4 000 |
|
Khu Sung (Co Sung), Kha Quy (Xa Quy), Xa Toong Luong (Xa La Vang), Xa Puoi |
Lai Chau |
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39 |
Khang |
4 000 |
Xa Khao, Xa Don, Xa Tu Lang |
Khang Xua, Khang Don, Khang Zong, Khang Hoc, Khang Ai, Khang Bung, Khang Quang Lam |
Lai Chau, Son La |
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40 |
Lu |
3 700 |
Lu, Zuon, Nhuon |
|
Lai Chau |
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41 |
Pa Then |
3 700 |
Pa Hung, Man Pa Teng, Tong |
Tong, Meo Lai |
Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang |
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42 |
Lo Lo |
3 200 |
Mun Zi, O Man, Lu Loc Man, Zi, Qua La, La La, Ma Zi |
Lo Lo Den, Lo Lo Hoa |
Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lao Cai |
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43 |
Chut |
2 400 |
Xa La Vang, Cha Cui, (Tac Cui), Tu Vang, Pa Leng |
Sach, May, Ruc, Ma Lieng, Arem, Slang, Umo |
Quang Binh
|
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44 |
Mang |
2 300 |
Mang U, Xa La Vang, Nieng O, Xa Mang,Xa Cang Lai |
Mang He, Mang Gung |
Lai Chau |
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45 |
Klao |
1 500 |
|
Klao Blanc, Klao Bleu, Klao Rouge |
Ha Giang |
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46 |
Bo Y |
1 450 |
Chung Cha, Trung Gia, Pau Y, Pu Zi |
Bo Y, Tu Zi |
Ha Giang, Lao Cai
|
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47 |
La Ha |
1 400 |
Xa Khao, Xa Cha, Xa La Nga |
Khla Phlao, La Ha Ung |
Yen Bai, Son La |
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48 |
Cong |
1 300 |
|
Xam khoong, Xa Xeng, Xa, Xa Coong |
Lai Chau |
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49 |
Ngai |
1 200 |
San Ngai |
Xin, Le, Dan, Khanh Gia, Hac Ca (Xec) |
Quang Ninh, Ho Chi Minh Ville, Hai Phong |
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50 |
Si La |
600 |
Cu De Xu |
|
Lai Chau |
|||||
51 |
Pu Peo |
400 |
Ka Beo, Pen Ti Lo Lo, La Qua, Man |
|
Ha Giang |
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52 |
Brau |
250 |
Brao |
|
Kong Tum |
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53 |
Rmam |
250 |
|
|
Kong Tum |
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54 |
Oedu |
100 |
Tay Hat |
|
Nghe An |