Sapa is famous for its wonderful mountainous sceneries and its traditional culture of ethnic minorites. Coming to Sapa, you will have chances to see how local minorities live in Vietnam. One of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam is the Hmong Tribe. Hmong originally means “free people”. The Hmong minority is divided in several subgroups. It is very easy to identify them, just by looking at the color of the clothes they wear. People who live in the region still use their traditional clothes (young and old people alike). The Hmong women and their children carry on the tradition of wearing the heavy native costumes of their ancestors, complete with leggings that are worn at all times of the year, including Vietnam's hot summer months.
The Black Hmong
The Black Hmong are by far the largest ethnic minority group in and around Sapa and you’ll see them walking between Sapa and the surrounding villages. They’re called Black Hmong because they're dressed in dark clothing dyed black with indigo. All of the Black Hmong I encountered were quick to smile and laugh even when I was not buying anything from them. You will see lots of Black Hmong people at Sapa and they are very skilled at selling souvenirs (in fact some of them speak good English). You will also get to visit their villages during trekking (Cat Cat Village, the nearest to Sapa belongs to the Black Hmong).
The Red Hmong (Red Dzao)
The Red Hmong dress in black as well, but the women wrap up their hair in a red scarf decorated with silver accessories. There are two beliefs about this tribe. The first is that you can know how rich a woman is by the size of her scarf. The other is that the women have to shave their hair and eyebrows because it is their basis or standard of beauty. They are less populated compared to the Black Hmong people and tend to be more shy.
Sapa is like no other place I've visited in Vietnam. It is a visually spectacular, magical place ' with its endless hills of terraced rice fields and concentration of hill tribe ethnic minorities whose colorful traditional clothing beautifully accent the landscape. It doesn't feel like people are wearing traditional attire just to please tourists and their cameras' Their dress is a matter of pride and identity.
It’s good to know they are still wearing their traditional clothing, I wish its still like this in the Mt. Province and other parts of the philippines where ethnic tribes live.
Thanks for dropping by Claire. They don’t even considered themselves as Vietnamese. Napaisip tuloy ako kung ganun din kaya ang pakiramdam ng mga ethnic tribes satin? lalo na kung di naman nakakarating sa kanila ang tulong ng Government.
really nice to see them!
Thanks for dropping by Joshi. '?
Just had a trip in Mt Province and Ifugao, I didnt see any local ifugao’s wearing traditional clothes.
'? Sad to hear that. Still, I’m hoping that they still keep their cultures and traditions in other ways. '?
It is nice to hear that the Hmongs still preserve their pride and identity. '? Even the young ones respect the tradition of wearing their native costumes. Too bad though that I will not be able to go to Sapa. I stumbled on your blog while searching for Vietnam posts for my upcoming Ho Chi Minh trip. It’s such a shame that I will not be able to go to Hanoi and Sapa. Well, there’s always next time. '?
Thank you for the great posts and pictures. I really learned a lot. '?
Take care! Looking forward to more posts from you.
Thanks for the kind words Karla. '? You’re right, there’s always next time and I know that you’ll be able to visit this place soon… Ho Chi Minh offers a unique and wonderful experience too. '? Have a happy and safe trip. '? ENJOY!
One of the most beautiful traditional clothes I have seen!
Gaye, You must see the “Flower Hmong”, the most colorful of them all. '?
interesting story about the H’mongs! makes me want to go to Vietnam.
absolutely like the last smiling pic of red H’mongs!
Hi! Thanks for dropping by. '?