Indigenous Tour in Vietnam - By: Serena Zhu

It is easy to assume that all Vietnamese people belong to the same large family, but it isn't so. Vietnam has 54 officially recognised ethnic groups. The largest, the Kinh or Viet make up 86% but that leaves 14% among the other 53 ethnicities.

Most of these ethnic minorities live in the mountain areas in the north-west and in the Central Highlands, although there some in the south, too. The Tay, the Thai, the Muong, the Khmer, the H'mong , the Dao etc. all live in the northern hills and were considered by the lowland Vietnamese to be mysterious, possibly mythical peoples. It was not until the French colonialists attempted to use the Red River as a way into China, that the area was opened up and light shed upon these minority peoples.

But who are they and what are the differences and similarities between the different ethnic groups? Well, one way to find out is to ask them yourself! Many of the ethnic groups are happy to share a meal with you and introduce you to their background, history and tribal customs. Most importantly, they it is even possible to stay with them in their homes. Home stay visiting is well established in various areas of Vietnam.

The most ethnically diverse area of Vietnam is Lao Cai Province in the north-west. The area is home to 27 different ethnic groups, sharing a lifestyle growing rice in the paddy fields, but their dress, customs and language differ. In the Sapa area of Lao Cai, you can walk through the paddy fields to reach a remote village where you will eat, sleep and learn about living activities at the local H'mong residents' own homes.

You can also visit Mai Chau, in Hoa Binh province. The valley here is home to many ethnic minorities, including the white Thai. Here you can stay in a typical Thai house with palm leaf roof and bamboo floor. In the centre of the house is the kitchen, used not only for cooking but also to prepare the colourful material used to make their distinctive clothing.

If you are lucky you will visit on a Sunday, when the local minorities hold their weekly market. This is not just an opportunity to buy and sell, but becomes a mini-festival with traditional Thai dishes and traditional dancing.

Hoi An in Central Vietnam is a fascinating, well preserved middle ages port town, and World Heritage site. It was home to the Champa people, whose kingdom flourished until the 19th century when it was invaded by the Viet people from the north and became part of Vietnam. Home stay is also possible here and in surrounding villages.

The Mekong Delta, known as Cuu Long, or "Nine Dragons", in reference to the nine tributaries of the Mekong River which flood across the area. Of particular interest here are the floating markets, especially that at Can Tho. Again, home stay with local families is available here.

A typical day would be to visit a floating market in the morning, then take a boat trip to Con Phung (Phoenix Island) for a typical Vietnamese lunch with a local family. After lunch visit the local orchards, or a bee farm where you can taste natural honey and honey wine, then back to Can Tho for dinner and bed in a local family home. A unique chance to discover the daily life of Vietnamese people in the Mekong Delta.

You can visit http://www.indochinaodysseytours.com to get more information about this.

About the Author

Indochina Odyssey Tours - Your trustworthy Indochina Vietnam tour operator since 1987. Personalized and worry-free service in tours, hotels and tickets in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.

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