The Hmong Ethnicity in Vietnam: History, Culture, and Language

Northern Vietnam still retains its ancient cultural features and breathtaking landscapes, a site not to be missed for any Western tourist. Travellers venturing deep into this mountainous culture in the northern region will be spontaneously and sincerely exchanging with the Hmong ethnic group, whose history has long been tied to these very mountains of Vietnam—sending any visitor away with recollections of a lifetime.

Written by Oliver PHUNG (Local expert)Updated on 10-12-2024

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Table of contents

Hmong Ethnic Group in Northern Vietnam: Culture and Geography
Historical Origin of Vietnam's Hmong Tribe
Daily Life and Traditions of the Vietnamese Hmong
Traditional Festivals Full of Color
Where to Meet the H'mong Community in Vietnam?

Hmong Ethnic Group in Northern Vietnam: Culture and Geography

The Hmong ethnic group mainly resides in the northern mountainous regions of provinces such as Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Son La, and Dien Bien in Vietnam. This region, characterized by mountainous landscapes and isolated valleys, lies where Vietnam borders China and Laos. In general, the northwest mountains where the Hmong people live are high, with jagged mountain ranges, dense forests, and winding rivers. These areas, often isolated, serve as a natural environment that has uniquely shaped the culture and way of life of the Hmong.

This geographical isolation, paired with various kinds of scenery, has given the Hmong an opportunity to preserve much of their tradition and way of living even in the present time. Unfortunately, this geography has also created barriers to accessing basic health and education services and managing natural resources sustainably.

>>> 💡 Good to know: If you have explored destinations rich in Asian culture, such as China, Laos, and others, you may unexpectedly encounter ethnic minorities dressed in colorful clothing and sharing similar traditions. Since the Hmong ethnic group is spread across several Asian countries, travelers might come across them randomly during their journeys.

Historical Origin of Vietnam's Hmong Tribe

What Are the Hmong People?

The Hmong are one of China's oldest ethnic groups, with origins predating the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). They originally inhabited the Yellow River basin but gradually migrated south over centuries, integrating with indigenous populations in regions like Dongting Lake, Hunan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Historical records indicate they once established the 'San Miao' nation before continuing their migration further south to Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The Hmong people originated from China. — *The Hmong people originated from China*

The Hmong people have cultivated agricultural traditions, especially rice, and have a strongly entrenched social organization based on clans. Their religion revolves around shamanism, although some Hmong are Christians.

The ethnonym of the Hmong has been a topic of debate. Historically, the Han referred to them as 'Miao' (猫), a term later linked to the Vietnamese word for 'cat.' However, the Hmong community largely rejects this term, favoring their self-identified name, 'Mong.' In Vietnamese, the adaptation 'Mong' does not accurately reflect the nasal pronunciation of their original name (Hmong). Variations like 'H'mong,' while an attempt at standardization, have faced criticism for linguistic inaccuracy. Simplifying the name to 'Mong,' in accordance with their preference, could better respect their cultural identity.

>>> Good To Know: During the Vietnam War, the Hmong were recruited by the CIA to fight against communist forces, which led to large waves of refugees after the war. Today, they reside in many countries, where they have adapted their culture to local realities while maintaining their unique traditions, such as colorful clothing, simple yet flavorful cuisine, and ritual ceremonies.

H'mong ethnic language

Today, the Hmong language is called H'Mong-Mien. Historically, the Hmong did not have a common language and were closely tied to Mandarin Chinese. They did not have any particular writing system and used hieroglyphs similar to Han, passed down by Shamans and village leaders.

In the past, the Miao (Hmong) people migrated to Northern Vietnam in a total of three waves during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. In the second wave of migration, when they arrived in Vietnam, many Hmong groups gradually settled closer to other ethnic communities such as the Tay, Nung, and especially the Kinh. Cultural exchange and increased contact with the Vietnamese language began to influence some of the Hmong vocabulary and speech. By the third wave of migration, the Hmong people had adopted the Latinized Hmong language under the Romanized Popular Alphabet (RPA) created by Portuguese missionaries.

*Flower Script for the Hmong Today by Ian James*

Hmong people use both Hmong and Vietnamese in their daily lives. Vietnamese is used at work with state agencies and for official documents, while Hmong is used for communication among family members and traditional ceremonies.

>>> Worth Knowing: It was not until the 20th century that the Hmong writi ng system was developed, including:

Romanized Popular Alphabet (RPA): A modern writing system introduced by missionaries in the 1950s.
Pahawh Hmong: A phonetic writing system created in 1959 by Shong Lue Yang, but it is little known in Vietnam.

Hmong Communities in Vietnam

The Hmong people in Vietnam are an ethnically divided conglomeration representing five local groups into which they are divided, namely: White Hmong (Mông Đơư), Black Hmong (Mông Đu), Green Hmong (Mông Sua), Red Hmong (Mông Si), and Flower Hmong (Mông Lềnh). While Black Hmong inhabit the Sapa region of Vietnam, with the Flower Hmong to the east around Bac Ha, the White live in the Ha Giang Loop, the Green group chooses Mu Cang Chai, and the Red subgroup resides to the west and northwest in the region of Lai Chau.

From left to right - From top to bottom (Hmong Flower - Hmong Black - Hmong Green - Hmong White) — From left to right - From top to bottom
(Hmong Flower - Hmong Black - Hmong Green - Hmong White)

This distinction is made mainly according to the colours, clothing characteristics and phonetic particularities of each group. These groups not only have visible differences in their dress, but also in their language and customs, giving them their own identity while maintaining strong cultural ties with other Hmong communities in the region.

These five groups, while united by a common ethnicity, each convey unique characteristics through their language, cultural practices and way of life. Although differences exist, solidarity among the Hmong of Vietnam remains an essential factor in their collective cultural richness.

>>> Explore the lands inhabited by the Hmong ethnic community:

Daily Life and Traditions of the Vietnamese Hmong

Traditional Costumes of the Hmong

The costumes of the Hmong are known for their millinery and brilliant colors, bearing evidence of the rich and unique culture that the Hmong people have:

The White Hmong clearly distinguish themselves from the rest by wearing white linen clothing, which they pair with colorful jackets. This group of people is mainly found in the mountainous regions of the country, in Sơn La and Điện Biên.
The Black Hmong, on the other hand, wear dark, indigo-dyed clothing. Their tight trousers and finely embroidered jackets are among their distinctive features. This group is present in places like Sa Pa and Lai Châu, where they carefully preserve their unique cultural heritage.
The Green Hmong or Blue Hmong are distinguished by their blue or green clothing, often decorated with beautiful floral motifs. Women wear pleated skirts and embroidered blouses.
Hmong Flower is a colorful clothing pattern that is rich with floral designs, very typical of this group. Women particularly like the vibrant colors. They wear shirts with skirts that are richly embroidered and adorned with silver.
Red Hmong women with colorful traditional costumes, including embroidered long-sleeved shirts, flared skirts, and striking red scarves.

💡Good to know: Nowadays, Hmong women's clothing has undergone changes. Hmong women in Sapa wear short, narrow pants, a rigid collared outer jacket. The White Hmong women of Son La wear long pants, a white shirt underneath and traditional clothing over it. Hmong Flower women wear a sleeveless vest.

Traditional Hmong Ethnic Jewelry

Hmong jewelry originated from simplicity, symbolizing wealth and protection against evil. It serves both spiritual and economic purposes. As society progressed, the Mong people began using jewelry for beautification. They wear ornaments during festivals and special occasions.

*Every woman has silver jewelry on her body*

The patterns express their ideas and emotions, with floral patterns and spirals, like ferns, related to farming. Sometimes, they are just necklaces connected by circular chains or silver coins on belts. For them, it's a piece of jewelry. There are solid necklaces or bracelets with embossed patterns that are hard and durable. The earrings, in different shapes, are indispensable and decorated with minute details.

Girls from 7 years old are allowed to wear jewelry to beautify themselves. — *Girls from 7 years old are allowed to wear jewelry to beautify themselves*

All of them exude a beauty reminiscent of the people of the mountains and forests. Their ornamental motifs are freely composed on the ornaments, without particular design measurements. These pieces of jewelry reflect social status and beauty while carrying deep cultural meanings.

Traditional craftsmanship

The weaving and embroidery on brocade fabric are traditional, age-old crafts for the Hmong. Such arts and chores are closely connected with their daily lives and form an essential aspect of the unique culture of the Hmong. Careful weaving and embroidering of brocade products mark the skill and creativity of Hmong women.

Linen is very significant in the social and spiritual life of the Mong. It is said that if Hmong people do not wear linen clothes when they die, they cannot join their ancestors. A Mong woman who does not know how to make linen, weave fabrics, or embroider patterns on linen is not, as they say, a true Mong woman.

The manufacture of linen among the H'mong made it possible to produce unique linen fabrics. — *The manufacture of linen among the H'mong made it possible to produce unique linen fabrics*

Therefore, from an early age, Hmong girls in Lung Tam learn from their mothers and grandmothers about making, weaving, and embroidering with linen, both for themselves and for household use. But for many years, the art of linen weaving has been almost forgotten within the Mong ethnic group of Lung Tam because of changing market dynamics and the influence of outside cultures.

In weaving, Hmong women of Lung Tam have also mastered the arts of beeswax painting and indigo dyeing. To create a design, the artisan draws with hot beeswax on white fabric in traditional Hmong patterns. When the fabric is dyed, the beeswax lines that do not soak up color will show up as a design on the fabric. Indigo dyeing is also used to create colored fabrics, which are entirely natural dyes.

Traditional Rituals and Religious Practices

The Hmong people have adopted a traditional spiritual belief that combines both polytheism and ancestor worship. They believe in innumerable gods in a rich spiritual world, and in addition, they worship their ancestors and draw on natural forces like mountains, forests, and rivers. Their tenets include venerating the spirits for personal protection, prosperity, and health.

Ceremonies and celebrations bind a person's entire spiritual life, devoting rituals to the ancestors, invoking peace and healing, and constantly striving to balance this world with the other.

💡Good to know: One of the important ceremonies is ancestor worship (called "Pooj" among the Hmong), in which the family prepares offerings to pray to the ancestors and ask for their blessing for the peace and well-being of future generations.

Traditional Homes of These Ethnic Groups

The simple and secluded houses, located on the slopes of the mountains, generally exude a beauty that is both mysterious and wild, as their nature naturally attracts visitors' curiosity. For centuries, the Hmong have been living such a life at the highest and most impressive peaks. They believe that the mountains are places of mastery and dependence, enabling them to thrive alongside nature—that is why Hmong villages usually stand isolated and scattered, away from the everyday noise of highly populated areas, with houses rarely close to one another. This peace is a part of their life, where solitude and closeness to nature take the front seat.

Traditional H'mong houses are handcrafted works, with walls made of mud and roofs made of stone tiles, ensuring coolness in summer and warmth in winter. The charm of these houses lies in the handmade stone fences and the hanging corn. Usually, corn is left either whole or husked and directly hung under a stove, where smoke and flame keep the corn dry and prevent moisture from destroying the kernels by termites.

*Going northeast, in the H'mong region, you will find yellow houses, with hanging corn... very interesting*

These houses are known to everyone for the golden color of earthen walls and gray stone tiles, which blend harmoniously into the natural landscape, amplifying the warmth and friendliness of the interiors. These simple yet strong houses are nothing but embodiments of the Hmong's ever-tight relationship with the mountains and the nature around them.

*The traditional houses of the Hmong are true works of craftsmanship*

>>> Worth Knowing: According to data from the 2019 Population Census, the Mong ethnic group in Vietnam consists of 1,393,547 people, accounting for 1.45% of the country's population and ranking fifth in population size among 54 ethnic groups. Additionally, more than 170,000 live in the United States, with nearly 20,000 spread across France (15,000), Australia (2,000), French Guiana (1,500), Canada (600), and Argentina (600). You can see the list here!

Traditional Festivals Full of Color

The H'Mông New Year Celebration

As far as cultural experiences go, it is worth immersing oneself in the Hmong New Year atmosphere, which lasts from December into January. Their celebration differs from Tet in the plains in that much more value is attached to the communal and collective aspects of their New Year transition by those living in the mountains.

*The Hmong in Moc Chau, Son La in spring*

Visitors can try dancing, singing, and watching locals celebrate their New Year's traditions. In the evening, they enjoy a hearty traditional Tet dinner with the local people, discussing traditions and customs that have been passed down for centuries. Such experiences transcend language barriers, creating memories richer and more profound than ever during the New Year season.

Celebrating the New Harvest Festival

This is a great opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves in authentic culture and nature. The New Harvest Festival is one of the most beautiful ways to experience life in Vietnam's special ethnic group. Attend prayer ceremonies, eat steamed rice, meat, and fresh vegetables from the garden, enjoy the spirit of traditional games, and participate in dances and songs in direct communication with the locals.

In addition to this, the beautiful mountain scenery and vast golden rice terraces during the harvest season provide an excellent setting for photography and nature lovers.

Not only is this trip a form of relaxation, but it is also one of the most valuable experiences because it highlights the culture, traditions, and lifestyles of the H'mong to foreign tourists. It remains forever in their minds.

Where to Meet the H'mong Community in Vietnam?

At present, these people are no longer solely dependent on rice farming, weaving, or livestock trade. Through government and private investments, they have embraced tourism as a means of development. By setting up homestays, working as tour guides, and selling souvenirs or food, they offer a way of life that remains authentic and not overly touristy. Whether you visit now or in the future, you can experience the best of what this ethnic group offers. Below are places where many Hmong communities gather.

Ha Giang: This is the province at the border with China, featuring spectacular sights and Hmong villages. The Lũng Cú Market is a well-known marketplace to meet the Hmong, as well as the villages surrounding Ma Pi Leng Pass.
Lao Cai: Among the top tourist destinations in this province are the city of Sapa and Bac Ha, where the Hmong people live in the mountain valleys surrounding the town. Trekking can also be done in the areas around here to explore some of the villages and lifestyles of these people.
Cao Bang: This is a less-traveled province than Sapa, yet still very rich in authenticity and much less affected by mass tourism.

Conclusion

The Hmong ethnicity and culture in Vietnam, with its unique traditions, majestic landscapes, and colorful handicrafts, offer visitors an authentic and memorable experience. Meeting the Hmong community allows travelers to discover a deep harmony between nature and heritage, where every aspect of life reflects centuries-old traditions and a sincere attachment to the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam. At KamPá Tour, we provide “authentic” Northern exploration itineraries, including exploring majestic landscapes, eating, sleeping, and living with the humble locals. Pack your bags and join us today!