Learn more about Hidden Hilltribes of Vietnam walking holiday
The Hmong
Originally from the mountainous regions of China, Laos and Thailand, this sub group of the Miao ethnicity moved south from China in the 18th century following political unrest, looking for more arable land to farm. There were 1,068,189 Hmong people living in Vietnam when the census was last taken in 2009. They speak the Hmong language. Women wear deep blue clothes, including long blouses embroidered with flowers over short trousers and scarves wrapped around their legs. Men wear long jackets with shirts and embroidered waist coats.
The Red Dao
The Red Dao people emigrated from China in the 13th century and speak a variety of Hmong-Mien languages. The last population count stood at 470,000 which makes them the ninth largest ethnic group in Vietnam. Women usually wear an embroidered blouse over trousers and men wear short shirts, long trousers and a head scarf. The square of fabric on the back of their clothes symbolises that they are children of God. Both men and women shave the sides of their heads but leave their hair long on top and women may also shave their eyebrows. A usual head piece is a red triangle shaped turban with silver coins and red tassels.
Giay
The Giay emigrated from China in the 19th century and speak Bouyei. There are around 60,000 Giay people living in Vietnam. They wear simple clothes, with different coloured blouses distinguishing different ages for women. Hair is wrapped around the head and kept in place using red thread.
Xa Pho
It?s thought that the Xa Pho moved into Vietnam between 200 and 300 years ago. Their clothes are more evocative of Malaysian or Indonesian origin, but their language, Tibeto, comes from a Burmese language group. Women wear short sleeved shirts with long, blue skirts, which are embroidered with bright red decorations. Their houses are built half on stilts and half on the ground.
Tay
There are over 1.7million Tay people in Vietnam, making them the second largest ethnic group in the country. They are closely related to the Nung and Zhuang on the Chinese side of the Vietnamese-Chinese border. Traditional dress includes long skirts, simple shirts with silver buttons, black trousers and colourful head scarves. They are the earliest known minority in Vietnam and are thought to have inhabited the country since 500 BC.
