Take a deeper look at what national identity means by learning about the 54 diverse ethnic minority groups currently living in Northern Vietnam.
The Lu by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
The Precious Heritage Project
Over the course of nearly a decade, the French photographer Réhahn researched and photo-documented all 54 official ethnic minorities in Vietnam, with the hope of increasing the public’s understanding of tribal culture in the country.
The final collection of full-color portraits of tribal members in their traditional garments, alongside artifacts, heritage crafts, and stories is on display in the Precious Heritage Museum in Hoi An, Vietnam.
The Giay by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
Virtual Exhibit
In this virtual exhibit, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the Xinh Mun, Thuy, Ngai, San Dieuy, Xa Phang, Giay, Nung, Lao, & Lu ethnic groups.
There are at least 33 known ethnicities living within Northern Vietnam's towering mountains and lush rice paddies. Many tribes also are connected to subgroups that share similarities in language and culture.
Their village, on the border of Laos, is tucked into the jungle. They build their homes on stilts set into the dense greenery of the hills.
The Thuy
A subgroup of the Water H'Mong in China, the Thuy were given their name as a reference to the Vietnamese word for water. At present, they are still undocumented in the official list of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.
ThuyPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
The 90-year-old Shaman pictured in this photograph can only speak Thuy, not Vietnamese. It was the first time he'd had a chance to wear his tribe's traditional dress. In 2008, the government recreated the ensemble again from the memories of the oldest Thuy woman.
The Ngai by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
There are only 1000 Ngai left in Vietnam with very few still able to make their traditional garments.
The San Diu
The San Diu tribe is known for their music called "Soong Co," which they sing at ethnic festivals.
The San Diu by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
Their traditional garments are rarely worn now (except for during performances) but San Diu villagers are still proud to own heritage textiles.
The Hoa by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
They wear their traditional dress and handmade shoes daily to work in the fields in an isolated area of the Dien Bien province.
The Giay by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
The tribe's original traditional garments were quite somber with all black cotton and few embellishments. Newer ensembles include the color blue and synthetic fabrics.
The Nung by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
Their traditional clothing has a subtly embellished jacket with silver buttons and embroidery. They wear silver for its health benefits, claiming it can be a measure of ill health.
The Lao by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
Women smoke pipes regularly, yet, there are an incredible amount of women in the Lao village over the age of 100!
Many households still make their ethnic clothing with traditional methods, passing down the skills to younger generations.
The Black Lo Lo by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
Learn More
Read more about The Precious Heritage Project and Vietnam's ethnic groups in the article "Discover Vietnam's 54+ Ethnicities - Part 4."
Text by Réhahn with Molly Headley
