Name of ethnic group: Hre (Cham Re, Chom Kre and Luy). Population: 113,111 people (Year 1999). Locality: The western parts of Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh provinces.  Customs and habits The Hre are atheists. The small-sized nuclear family unit is very common among the Hre. They live in stilt houses and the village chief is considered to have high prestige and plays an important role in village life. Culture The Hre language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group and has close ties to the Xo-Dang and Ba Na languages. The Hre often hold buffalo-stabbing ceremonies which are accompanied by verses and songs. The Ka choi and Ka leu are two very popular tunes. Their musical instruments include the Brook, Ching Ka la, Ling Ia (traversal flute), and Ta lia (longitudinal flute). Costumes Men wear loincloths and waist-deep vests. They may also remain bare chested and wear turbans as headgear. Economy The Hre grow wet rice and farm. Basketry and weaving are other forms of income...

Name of ethnic group: Khmer (The Viet is of Mien origin and Khmer Krom). Population: 1,055,174 people (Year 1999). Locality: Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Can Tho, Kien Giang and An Giang provinces.  Customs and habits The Khmer mainly practice Brahmanism and Hinayana Buddhism. Before reaching adulthood, young Khmer people often go to pagodas to study and improve their virtues and knowledge. Culture The Khmer have managed to preserve their own language and writings. They usually live with the Kinh and Hoa in "soc" (villages), and "phum" or "ap" (hamlets). The houses are simply built with thatched or tiled roofs. Major Khmer festivals include "Chon Cho Nam Tho May" (New Year Festival), Buddha's Birthday, "Don Ta" (Forgive the Crimes of the Dead), and "Ooc Om Bok" (Moon Worship). Economy The Khmer have a long tradition in wet rice cultivation. Animal husbandry, weaving, pottery and sugar making from the "Thot Not" Tree are other forms of economic...

Name of ethnic group: Khang (Xa Khao, Xa Xua, Xa Don, Xa Dang, Xa Hoc, Xa Ai, Xa Bung, and Quang Lam). Population: 10,272 people (Year 1999). Locality: Son La and Lai Chau provinces.  Customs and habits The Khang live in houses built on stilts, with three rooms. Each house has two kitchens, one kitchen is used to cook daily meals and the other is used to warm and cook meals which are offered to worship dead parents. Khang marriage ceremonies go through three steps. First, a marriage proposal is made. Next, parental approval is sought; and finally the wedding occurs. The first stage is held for the groom's family and the second stage is held in order to accompany the bride to her husband's home. Culture Khang language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group. Costumes Khang women dye their teeth black and chew betel like the Thai. Economy The Khang mainly practice slash-and-burn cultivation using traditional techniques such as digging holes and planting seeds in these holes. They grow...