The K Ho 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 groups in Vietnam, with the hope of increasing the public’s understanding of tribal culture in the country.
The Cham by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
The Precious Heritage Collection
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.
CENTRAL VIETNAM
In this virtual exhibit, you’ll have the opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind stories, tribal textiles, and portraits from Central ethnic groups the H'Re, M'Nong, Ede, Xo Dang, Jrai, & Co Tu ethnic groups
Their traditional dress is dark indigo with embroidered patterns. A few local women, who expressed their wish to have a communal crafting house, continue to hand-make it.
The Mnong by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
The M'nong
The M'Nong live in two regions in Vietnam - Binh Phuoc near Ho Chi Minh City, and Dak Lak in the Central Highlands.
Traditional Ede male clothing is unusually sophisticated (compared to other ethnic groups in Vietnam) and filled with subtle details.
He is the only artisan left in his village who can still make the tribe's bamboo baskets and play the traditional instruments of the To Dra people.
The Jarai by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
The Jarai are known for their carved wooden masks and sculptures used in ancestral worship and funerals.
The Co Tu by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
For centuries they wore clothing made from tree bark, which has now mostly replaced with cotton.
The Co Tu by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
Read more about Vietnam's diverse tribal cultures in the article "Discover Vietnam's Ethnicities - Central Vietnam, Part 1."
Text by Réhahn with Molly Headley