Discover Vietnam’s Ethnicities - Central Vietnam I

Learn about diverse ethnic groups currently living in Central Vietnam. Part 1 of our 2-part series.

By Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Ro Mam 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 groups in Vietnam, with the hope of increasing the public’s understanding of tribal culture in the country.

The Co Tu by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

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 Bru Van Kieu by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

CENTRAL VIETNAM

In this virtual exhibit, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the Brau, Ro Mam, Cor, Bru Van Kieu, Ta Oi, & Ba Na ethnic groups.

The Brau by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Brau

According to Brau customs, when children reach the age of puberty they have their four front teeth filed as a coming-of-age ritual.

The Brau by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Brau traditionally wear heavy jewelry made from wood or ivory that strains their ears to create long-hanging earlobes.

The Ro Mam by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Ro Mam

The Ro Mam tribe lives in a restricted area near the Cambodian border.

The Ro Mam by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

One of the 12 remaining white Ro Mam wardrobe ensembles is on display in the Precious Heritage Museum.

The Cor by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Cor

The traditional garments of the Cor are extremely hard to find because they are no longer being made. Few examples still remain.

The Cor by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The tribal dress is made up of a bright blue skirt and a necklace made of tiny beads.

The Bru Van Kieu by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Bru Van Kieu

Translated into Vietnamese, Bru-Van Kieu means "people living in the woods." The group lives in the Quang Tri province in a peaceful village.

The Bru Van Kieu by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

Bru Van Kieu women usually only wear their traditional skirts, which they buy in Laos. The top is no longer worn due to the cost.

The Ta Oi by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Ta Oi

The Ta Oi tribe is made up of 3 subgroups.

The Ta Oi by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

Only one of them, the Kan Tua people, still knows their weaving technique, called zeng, in which tiny glass beads are inlaid in brocade.

The Bahnar by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Ba Na

The Ba Na are known for the architecture of their communal houses, known as Rong.

The Bahnar by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

Typically built in the village center, they have tall columns, which suspend them 2 meters off of the ground to protect them from tigers.

The Co Tu by RéhahnPrecious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Precious Heritage Museum

Read more about Vietnam's diverse tribal cultures in the series "Discover Vietnam's Ethnicities - Northern Vietnam" and "Southern Vietnam."

Credits: Story

Text by Réhahn with Molly Headley

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

Stories from Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

Online Exhibit