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 Vietnam - A Nation of Diverse Ethnic Groups

Vietnam is the homeland of numerous ethnic groups, all descendants of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, who emerged from a hundred eggs—half following their mother (Âu Cơ) to the mountains and half following their father (Lạc Long Quân) to the sea. Together, they have built and developed the country characterized by “three mountains, four seas, and a piece of land,” with its overlapping mountains, expansive plains where storks soar, and the East Sea with its waves throughout the seasons. The country stretches in a continuous line from the peak of Lũng Cú in the north to Rạch Tàu in the south, and from the summit of the Truong Son range in the west to the Trường Sa in the east.

Living together for a long time in one nation, these ethnic groups share a tradition of patriotism, unity, and mutual support in conquering nature and fighting for social justice throughout the historical process of nation-building and defense.

The history of conquering nature is a grand song that reflects creativity and the vigorous spirit of the people, overcoming all obstacles to adapt to natural conditions for production, survival, and development. With varying geographical conditions (topography, soil, climate, etc.), different ethnic groups have found their own ways to interact with nature.

In the plains and midlands, ethnic groups engage in agriculture, cultivating wet rice and establishing village cultures centered around communal houses, water wells, and banyan trees, surrounded by resilient thorny bamboo hedges. The agricultural lifestyle, villages, and farming inspire the rich cultural expressions, such as the colorful “mớ ba mớ bảy” traditional dresses, the “yếm đào” and “nón quai thao,” and the gentle melodies of “quan họ” folk songs, as well as the long, resonant tunes of Southern folk music that embody the vastness of the Mekong Delta.

In the low mountainous regions, ethnic groups cultivate wet rice while also engaging in dry farming for upland rice, corn, and initially planting long-term industrial crops (such as star anise and cinnamon) to replace natural forests. They reside in stilt houses, wearing trousers, skirts, and indigo-dyed shirts adorned with patterns inspired by wildflowers and forest animals. The community shares a tradition of drinking “rượu cần,” which expresses deep communal bonds, with people becoming intoxicated by the drink and the warmth of human connection.

In the highlands of Việt Bắc and the Central Highlands, the locals practice shifting cultivation—an adaptation to nature from the pre-industrial era. In these high-altitude areas with a subtropical climate, farming primarily occurs during the summer-autumn season. To take advantage of the weather and rotate crops, the highlanders have historically developed intercropping techniques, increasing income while protecting the soil from erosion caused by summer rains. The skilled hands and aesthetic sensibility of local women have led to the creation of colorful garments with harmonious colors, diverse patterns, and comfortable designs suitable for labor in the fields and travel along steep paths. The pristine mountains and forests, along with outdated farming methods, have given rise to numerous mysterious and enchanting rituals. Most Central Highlands residents practice buffalo stabbing rituals to worship Giàng (the sky), praying for health, livestock prosperity, and abundant harvests. This region is also rich in myths and epic stories, whose values can be compared to the mythologies of China and India, yet remain under-researched and under-collected. The locals are the creators of unique stone musical instruments like the đá, T'rưng, and Krông pút, as well as gongs and lively collective dances that strengthen community bonds.

Along the coastline from north to south, various ethnic groups rely on fishing. Every morning, fishing boats set sail, and by evening, they return with their catch. Life here is as bustling and energetic as that of farmers in the fields during harvest season.

Everywhere, people integrate with nature, and nature reciprocates, rewarding their efforts.

Situated on the Indochinese peninsula—the gateway connecting mainland Southeast Asia with its maritime counterpart—Vietnam is a cultural crossroads in the region. It is home to all three major language families in Southeast Asia, including the Austronesian family and the Sino-Tibetan family. The languages of the ethnic groups in Vietnam belong to eight different language groups:

Although the languages of these ethnic groups belong to various language families, the close intermingling of these communities allows individuals to often speak the languages of their daily interactions. Despite living closely together and engaging in cultural exchanges, each ethnic group retains its unique cultural identity. Here, the diversity of ethnic cultures is unified under a common principle—the upward development of the nation, akin to the unity of the particular within the general in philosophical terms.

The era of Hồ Chí Minh began with the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, transforming the lives of the ethnic groups. The ethnic policy of our Party and State has consistently emphasized equality, solidarity, and mutual assistance, working together to build a nation with the goals of a prosperous people, a strong nation, and a fair and civilized society rich in cultural identity.

By implementing the correct and innovative ethnic policies across economic and social sectors, we have achieved significant, modern accomplishments. Infrastructure, especially in road transport, irrigation, and telecommunications, has developed to the district level and is gradually reaching villages and hamlets, with progress varying according to specific regional conditions. As the rightful owners of the country, the ethnic groups increasingly participate in state power structures. The Party and State have focused on training scientific and technical personnel, and the number of university-educated individuals among the ethnic groups is on the rise. The traditional cultural and artistic heritage of the ethnic groups is being collected, preserved, researched, and promoted.

By successfully implementing the Party's ethnic policies, the ethnic groups that have been united in the cause of nation-building and defense are now even more closely bonded in the mission of national development. The achievements made provide a solid foundation to strengthen the great national unity, enhance public awareness, improve living standards, and develop all ethnic groups.




Source: https://chinhphu.vn/dan-toc-68388