Discover Vietnam’s Ethnicities - Southern Vietnam

In this virtual exhibit, you’ll discover one-of-a-kind stories, tribal textiles, and portraits from Southern ethnic groups the Kinh, Co Ho, Cho Ro, Xtieng, Cham, Khmers, Chu Ru, Raglai, & Ma.

The Xtieng, otherwise known as Stieng, count their age according to the number of harvests they have gathered.

The older women in the village wear skirts and no tops; they adorn themselves with beaded jewelry and rings and often smoke wooden pipes.

Cham history goes back to the 2nd century when parts of South and Central Vietnam were part of the Kingdom of Champa.

The Khmers Krom (meaning Khmer from Below) are the second largest ethnic group in Mekong Delta, after the Kinh.

Only women of over 50 still wear their traditional dress to go to the temple and shave their heads as a sign of respect for Buddha.

The Chu Ru have a strong link to the Cham, which can be witnessed by the style of their traditional dress.

K'Mang, the woman in this photograph, is 103 years old.

The white Ma tribal garments have largely been replaced with a black version with bright details. Parents, in awareness of the decline of their traditions, teach their culture and language to their children.