Ethnic Groups
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
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
1
|
Kinh
|
55,900,000
|
ViÖt
|
|
All
over the country
|
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
|
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...
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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 |
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 |
10
|
Giarai
|
242
000
|
Moi,
Chrai
|
Cho,
Hdung, Arap, Mdhur, Tbuan |
Gia
Lai, Kong Tum, Dac Lac |
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 |
12
|
Bana
|
137
000
|
Bnam,
Roh, Kon, Kdé, Ala Cong, Kpang Cong
|
Tlo,
Glar, Rngao, Krem, Geloeng (Yloeng) |
Kon
Tum, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen |
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 |
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 |
15
|
Sdang
|
97
000
|
Kmerong,
Hdang,
Konelane
Brila
|
Steng,
Tra, Mename, Halang, Casong, Chau, Tatché, (Tatchi) |
Kong
Tum, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Quang Ngai |
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 |
17
|
Hré
|
94
000
|
Moi
Da Vach, Chamré, Moi Luy, Thach Bich, Moi Son Phong
|
|
Quang
Ngai, Binh Dinh |
18
|
K'ho
|
92
000
|
|
Sré,
Nop (Tu Nop), Kzon, Chil, Lat (Lach), Tring |
Lam
Dong, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa |
19
|
Raglai
|
72
000
|
Orang,
Glay, Roglay, Radlay, Moi
|
Raclay
(Ray), Noong (Laoang) |
Ninh
Thuan, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong |
20
|
Mnong
|
67
000
|
|
Gar,
Chil, Rlam, Preh, Kuenh, Nong, Bu Dang, Prang, Dip, Biet,
Si To, Bu Deh |
Dac
Lac, Lam Dong |
21
|
Tho
|
51
000
|
|
Kuo,
Mon, cuoi, Ho, Dan Lai Ly Ha, Tay Poong (Con Kha, Xa La
Vang) |
Nghe
An, Thanh Hoa |
22
|
Xtieng
|
50
000
|
Xa
Dieng
Moi,
Ta Mun
|
|
Song
Be, Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dac Lac |
23
|
Khmu
|
43
000
|
Xa
Cou, Bu Thenh,
Tay
Hay,
Viet,
Cang, Kha
|
Quang
Lam |
Son
La, Lai Chau, Nghe An, Yen Bai |
24
|
Bru
Van Kieu
|
40
000
|
|
Van
Kieu, Mang Koong, Tri, Khua, Bru |
Quang
Binh, Quang Tri |
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 |
26
|
Ktu
|
37
000
|
Katu,
Katang, Moi, Cao, Ha
|
Phuong,
Kantua |
Quang
Nam, Da Nang, Thua Thien Hue |
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 |
28
|
Taoi
|
26
000
|
Toi
Oi, Tahoi, Ta Oih, Ta Uat (Atuat)
|
Paco,
Bahi, Cantua |
Quang
Tri, Thua Thien Hue |
29
|
Ma
|
25
000
|
|
Chau
Ma, Cho Ma, Moi |
Lam
Dong, Dong Nai |
30
|
Co
|
23
000
|
Trau,
Cua,Moi, Col, Cor, Khua
|
|
Quang
Ngai, Quang Nam, Da Nang |
31
|
Chro
|
15
000
|
Chauro,
Zro, Moi
|
|
Dong
Nai |
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 |
33
|
Xinh
Mun
|
11
000
|
Puoc,
Pua, Xa
|
Za,
Nghet |
Son
La, Lai Chau
|
34
|
Churu
|
11
000
|
Chru,
Kru, Moi
|
|
Lam
Dong, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan |
35
|
Lao
|
10
000
|
Lao
Boc,
Lao
Noi
|
|
Son
La, Lai Chau |
36
|
Lachi
|
8
000
|
Tho
Den, Cu Té, Xa, Lati, Man Chi
|
|
Ha
Giang |
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 |
38
|
La
Hu
|
4
000
|
|
Khu
Sung (Co Sung), Kha Quy (Xa Quy), Xa Toong Luong (Xa La
Vang), Xa Puoi |
Lai
Chau |
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 |
40
|
Lu
|
3
700
|
Lu,
Zuon, Nhuon
|
|
Lai
Chau |
41
|
Pa
Then
|
3
700
|
Pa
Hung, Man Pa Teng, Tong
|
Tong,
Meo Lai |
Ha
Giang, Tuyen Quang |
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 |
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
|
44
|
Mang
|
2
300
|
Mang
U, Xa La Vang, Nieng O, Xa Mang,Xa Cang Lai
|
Mang
He, Mang Gung |
Lai
Chau |
45
|
Klao
|
1
500
|
|
Klao
Blanc, Klao Bleu, Klao Rouge |
Ha
Giang |
46
|
Bo
Y
|
1
450
|
Chung
Cha, Trung Gia, Pau Y, Pu Zi
|
Bo
Y, Tu Zi |
Ha
Giang, Lao Cai
|
47
|
La
Ha
|
1
400
|
Xa
Khao, Xa Cha, Xa La Nga
|
Khla
Phlao, La Ha Ung |
Yen
Bai, Son La |
48
|
Cong
|
1
300
|
|
Xam
khoong, Xa Xeng, Xa, Xa Coong |
Lai
Chau |
49
|
Ngai
|
1
200
|
San
Ngai
|
Xin,
Le, Dan, Khanh Gia, Hac Ca (Xec) |
Quang
Ninh, Ho Chi Minh Ville, Hai Phong |
50
|
Si
La
|
600
|
Cu
De Xu
|
|
Lai
Chau |
51
|
Pu
Peo
|
400
|
Ka
Beo, Pen Ti Lo Lo, La Qua, Man
|
|
Ha
Giang |
52
|
Brau
|
250
|
Brao
|
|
Kong
Tum |
53
|
Rmam
|
250
|
|
|
Kong
Tum |
54 |
Oedu |
100 |
Tay
Hat |
|
Nghe
An |
Top | Index
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