Ethnicities

Vietnam’s ethnicities are among the most diverse in the world. At present, there are 54 ethnic groups living together in Vietnam territory.

The Kinh (Viet) people are the majority group, accounting for 86% of the whole population. They live in almost all provinces and cities throughout the country, especially in plains and urban areas. Their traditional agricultural production is wet-rice cultivation, based mainly in Red River and Mekong Delta.
Photo: dulichluhanh.com.vn

53 other nationalities make up about 14% of Vietnam population, and often called "ethnic minorities". Among them, some big groups are: Tay, Muong, Hmong, Thai, Dao, Nung. Besides those with significant population, ethnicities such as Sila, Pu Peo, Brau, O Du or Mo Ram is very small in size, with only 300 people in each group.

Ethnic groups’ domiciles are mainly in highlands and mountainous areas. Each group has its own costumes, habits of living, languages. These differences are signs to distinguish Vietnam ethnicities. Certain cultural items are still maintained and developed. For example, “Then” songs of Tay and Nung, “Love market” of Hmong, “Xoe” dance of Thai. Particularly, Tay Nguyen Gongs was officially recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible culture of humanity in 2005. Moreover, cultural traditions of Vietnam ethnic minorities are seen as the great potential to tourism growing. Several ethnic minorities’ domiciles such as Sapa, Mai Chau, Da Lat, are areas which attract a great deal of both domestic and foreign tourists.

Despite of differences in many fields of life and culture, 54 nationalities of Vietnam are living unitedly for the target of sustainable development of Vietnam. Below we introduce photos of Vietnam's ethnic costumes - one of the many traits that distinguish one ethnicity from another.