Discover Vietnam’s 54+ Ethnicities - Southern Vietnam
Learn about diverse ethnic groups currently living in Southern Vietnam.
The Xtieng by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
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 Khmer 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.
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 Kinh by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
The Kinh
The Kinh are more commonly known as the Viet. They are the largest ethnic group in Vietnam, making up more than 85% of the population.
The Kinh reside all over Vietnam and speak Vietnamese, though the dialect can change dramatically based on the region.
They still wear their traditional garments to church on Sundays but this is falling out of favor with younger generations.
The older women in the village wear skirts and no tops; they adorn themselves with beaded jewelry and rings and often smoke wooden pipes.
The chief of the Cho Ro ethnic group gifted the last traditional ethnic garments left in his village to The Precious Heritage Museum for preservation. No one makes the tribal wear anymore, nor are they often worn.
The Cham by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
Relics from this ancient civilization can still be found in the region and the group continues to make silk garments. They are the root of Muslimism in Vietnam.
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 by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
The group is known for making rice wine, and having a strongly artistic and musical culture.
The Raglai by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
The near loss of their tribal dress occurred after the war when many members burned their traditional garments to fit in with the Kinh.
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.
The Chu Ru by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
Read more about Vietnam's diverse tribal cultures in the series: Discover Vietnam's Ethnicities - North and Central Vietnam
Text by Réhahn with Molly Headley
