They are not only living evidence of Vietnam’s ethnic and cultural diversity, but also custodians of ancient traditional values, ranging from language, costume and festivals to lifestyles closely harmonized with nature. Yet amid rapid socio-economic change, the preservation and development of their cultural heritage is facing mounting challenges.
Hidden gems among the mountains
Very small ethnic groups are scattered across many provinces and cities, mainly in extremely disadvantaged areas often described as the country’s “poverty core.” Despite their small populations, each group preserves distinctive cultural traits expressed through language, traditional attire, customs, folk knowledge and unique handicrafts.
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Brau ethnic people perform gong in Dak Me village, Quang Ngai province. |
The O Du ethnic group, numbering just over 400 people in the Central province of Nghe An, lives in stilt houses along the Nam Non River. The O Du language is now close to extinction, with most people using Thai and Kho Mu languages. Nevertheless, distinctive customs, such as traditional wedding ceremonies and rituals welcoming the first thunder of the year have been preserved.
The Brau ethnic group, with a population of more than 500, lives in fenced villages where many traditional values remain intact. Folk games, legends and musical instrument-making skills are passed down to younger generations. Gong culture plays a particularly important role, especially the “tha” gong set, consisting of two gongs symbolizing husband and wife, which is regarded as a sacred treasure.
The Ro Mam people, one of the three smallest ethnic groups in Vietnam, now reside in a single village along the Vietnam - Cambodia border. They continue to observe agricultural rituals, most notably the “Mo kho lua” (rice granary opening) ceremony, the largest ritual of the year, expressing gratitude to deities and the harmony between humans and nature.
Upstream of the Da River, the Si La ethnic group, with fewer than 1,000 members, has persistently safeguarded its cultural identity, from beliefs and customs to artistic expressions and labor practices.
The cultures of these very small ethnic groups are “raw gems” in Vietnam’s cultural heritage, simple yet resilient, enriching the nation’s diverse cultural landscape.
Today, the cultural heritage of very small ethnic groups is confronting the risk of erosion. Cultural preservation is no longer limited to safeguarding languages, festivals or traditional dress, but has become a struggle against invisible forces that threaten to blur ethnic identities.
Traditional costumes, once a source of pride across generations, are gradually being replaced. In many areas, ethnic attire now appears only on special occasions such as festivals or the Lunar New Year celebrations.
The risk of cultural loss underscores the urgent need for preservation, restoration and transmission of cultural values, not only to safeguard endangered traditions, but also to maintain the richness and diversity of Vietnam’s cultural mosaic.
From policy to action
The Party and State regard the culture of ethnic communities as a precious heritage, contributing to the richness, diversity and unity of an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity. Preserving the cultural identity of ethnic communities, particularly very small ethnic groups, is recognized as an important political task.
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The Su Khon Khoai Festival, or buffalo soul ceremony, of the Lu ethnic community in Lai Chau |
In recent years, under the National Target Program on boosting socio-economic development in ethnic and mountainous areas for the 2021-2030 period, with its first phase spanning from 2021 to 2025, the living conditions of very small ethnic groups and other disadvantaged ethnic communities have improved markedly.
Project 6 on preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic communities in association with tourism development and Project 9 on the development of very small ethnic groups and other disadvantaged ethnic groups have enabled communities to access social services, develop livelihoods and restore many traditional customs, festivals and cultural practices.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also issued decisions to restore, preserve and promote the cultural identity of very small ethnic groups, such as the Bo Y in Ha Giang (now Tuyen Quang province) and Lao Cai, and the Co Lao in Ha Giang (now Tuyen Quang), with the aim of improving cultural enjoyment in ethnic and mountainous areas.
These efforts have helped maximize the effectiveness of State, social and community investment in cultural preservation, improve access to cultural activities, and promote local tourism development.
Each year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organizes activities marking the Vietnam Ethnic Culture Day nationwide, while conducting surveys and opening training classes on intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts of very small ethnic groups, taught directly by artisans to younger generations.
These activities contribute to fostering patriotism, strengthening national pride, honoring cultural identities and reinforcing the great national unity bloc.
According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy, the traditions of very small ethnic groups are invaluable heritage, belonging not only to specific localities or communities, but to the nation as a whole.
Traditional cultural values are being built up and safeguarded through the joint efforts of the Party, the State, the entire political system and very small ethnic communities themselves. Preserving the cultural identity of these groups is a task of special political, economic and social significance in Vietnam’s development journey.
Source: VNA