Tribasia Blog

Northern Vietnam is full of surprises. When you think you have come across all the minorities in one given area, you quickly realize that you are short of a few.

The official number of ethnic minorities recognized by the authorities (54) falls short of the real-life picture. One grouping often hides many different sub-groups and cultures.
Although they might not exist in the official eyes, these minorities still lead their day-to-day life.

Before leaving Sa Pa, we ventured north, towards Lao Cai. We were convinced that we had seen all the minorities in Sa Pa's immediate vincinity: Black Hmong, Red Dzao, Dzay and Xa Pho.

We were proven wrong when we came across a different sub-group of Dzao people living in a hamlet, 18 kms north of Sa Pa. As they do not speak English and we do not speak Dzao language, we could not establish the name of this sub-group.

These Dzao people use different stitching patterns and headdress from the Red Dzao.
They wrap their head in a colourful material adorned with flowers and arranged in a conic shape. We were happily surprised to come across this village and be kept on our toes in our tribal quest :))

Sa Pa region is not only full of 'ethnic' surprises but also surrounded by magnificent landscapes. Every curve on the mountain road unveals landscapes more spectacular than the ones you previously saw.

We leave Sa Pa with great memories of its ethnic diversity and natureal beauties. Soon it will be time for us to leave Vietnam altogether.

Labels: Black Dzao, ethnic diversity, mountains, nature, northern Vietnam, Sa Pa