Minorities People

Dao Ethnic Group

History - Geography of the Dao Ethnic Group

The Dao people comprise several ethnic groups living in most of the northern mountainous provinces, the midlands of Northern Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and some provinces in the Southeastern region. All Dao ethnic groups maintain their traditional cultural identity.

Historical origins: The Dao people originate from China, with migration to Vietnam spanning from the 12th to the 20th centuries.

Dao Ethnic Groups: Red Dao (including Dao Coc Ngang, Dao Sung, Dao Du Lay, Dao Dai Ban), Tight Pants Dao (including Dao Son dau, Dao Tam dao, Dao Nga hoang, Du Cun), Lo Gang Dao (including Dao Thanh phan, Dao Coc Mun), Money Dao (including Dao Deo tien, Dao Tieu ban), White Pants Dao (Dao Ho), Thanh Y Dao, Lan Ten Dao (including Dao Tuyen, Dao Ao dai).

Family names: Kem Mien, Kiem Mien, Kim Mun, Kim Man, Bieo Mun, Liao Man, Du Mien, Diu Mien, Yiu Mien... In the past, they were also called Dong, Xa, Man...

Population: According to the 2019 Census of 54 ethnic minorities conducted by the Vietnam Nationalities Committee - General Statistics Office, the Dao population as of April 1, 2019, was 891,151 people, including 450,089 males and 441,062 females.

Language: Belongs to the Hmong-Dao language group.

Geographical distribution: Predominantly in the northern mountainous provinces, the midlands of Northern Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and some provinces in the Southeastern region.