Area: 6,886.3 sq. km. Population: 764.4 thousand habitants (2012). Capital: Yen Bai City. Administrative divisions: -Town: Nghia Lo. -Districts: Luc Yen, Van Yen, Mu Cang Chai, Tran Yen, Yen Binh, Van Chan, Tram Tau. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Tay, Dao, H'Mong... Mu Cang Chai Terraced Field (Yen Bai Province) Geography Situated on the gateway to North-West Viet Nam, Yen Bai Province borders Lao Cai, Ha Giang in the north, Son La Province in the west, Tuyen Quang in the east, and Phu Tho in the south. Terrain includes mountain, hill and valley. The network of rivers is complex with many falls and waterfalls. Climate in lowland is different from highland. Annual average temperature is from 18oC to 28oC. Tourism and Economy Yen Bai's large forest ranges supply valuable pomu, lat hoa, cho chi wood. Van Yen cinnamon, Suoi Giang tea, Tu Le glutinous rice are special products. The province owns well-known stone-pit in Luc Yen,...

Name of ethnic group: Ba Na (To Lo, Krem, Con Kde, Ala Cong, Krang). Population: 174,456 people (Year 1999). Locality: Kon Tum Province and the western parts of Binh Dinh and Phu Yen Provinces.  Customs and habits The Ba Na lives in houses built on stilts. In each village, there is a communal house called rong which stands out due to its height and beauty. According to matrimonial customs, a young man and woman can take the initiative in marriage, and the parents are only involved to ensure the respect of traditional principles. After the birth of the first child, they are allowed to set up their own family environment. The Ba Na venerates the spirits which relate to human beings. Culture The Ba Na language belongs to the Mon Khmer Group. Their musical instruments are very diversified with various combinations of gong sets, t'rung xylophones, bro, klong put, ko ni, khinh khung, and to tiep trumpets. The aesthetics of the Ba Na are expressed in their unique woodcarvings and...

Name of ethnic group: Brau (Brao). Population: 313 people (Year 1999). Locality: Dak Me Village, Bo Y Commune, Ngoc Hoi District, Kon Tum Province.  Customs and habits The Brau have a tradition of tattooing their faces and bodies and filing their teeth. Their houses are built on stilts. Young men and women are free to choose their partners. The wedding ceremony is organized by the bride's family and the groom must live with his wife's family for several years before bringing his wife and children home. Culture The Brau language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group. The Brau like to play gongs and traditional musical instruments. In particular, a set of two gongs called the chieng tha has great value in their culture. Young girls often play Krong Put, a musical instrument that consists of 5-7 bamboo tubes, both long and short, which are joined together. The sound is produced when air is forced into them by the clapping of the hands. Costumes Women wear a lot of jewelry around their...