I spent some time traveling around Vietnam with five other seasoned photographers. Our goal was to find and photograph some of the country’s indigenous peoples. First, we flew to the south to locate the Cham peoples who migrated into the southern portions of Vietnam between the second and fifteenth centuries. Also of interest were several of the Hmong tribes, the Hill People of northern Vietnam. They started their southern migration from China in the 18th century and today populate the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, as well as the southern regions of China.
While the Cham people are just as fascinating as the Hmong, let’s focus on the Hill People this time and visit the Chams later.
Of the many Hmong groups, three dominate the mountainous northern areas of Vietnam: the Flower Hmong, Black Hmong, and Red Hmong. We spent our time mostly with Flower and Black tribes who were warm, friendly and welcoming. They were as curious as we were. Since Asian men have very little body hair, my blonde hairy arms seemed to be a source of amusement to many, especially women.The villages we were visiting were well off the tourist trails. In one village the little children were frightened and ran from us. We were the first Caucasians they had ever seen.
The highlight for me: The Can Cai Buffalo Market is near Bac Ha, just a few miles from the China border, where every week the Red Hmong come in their finest traditional outfits. The market starts well before daylight and doesn’t end till late afternoon. Poultry, goats, pigs, dogs (a delicacy in the area), and more are traded.
Earlier we met three Black Hmong ladies at a market in a small village we were passing through. They had walked over ten miles to get there that morning and were about to start the trek back to their village. We offered them a ride and had an opportunity to visit with them and their families in their tiny, very remote community.
Of course, there are many more stories and photos to share. I may even tell you about my adventure getting to Vietnam and my Thai family. On second thought, probably not.
Hero @Lonely Travelog
8 Oct 2017Great photos Ron! Thanks for sharing your experience.
fotograffer
12 Oct 2017Thank you for stopping by.
maristravels
8 Oct 2017I’m loving them all, they are absolutely brilliant.
fotograffer
12 Oct 2017Thank you, Mari. I appreciate it.
snaps22
8 Oct 2017Another excellent set from you Ron. I particularly like the one of the girl with buffalo climbing the hill.
fotograffer
12 Oct 2017Thank you. Interestingly, that was just one of many trips she made bringing the buffalo she had purchased to be loaded onto her truck.
gaiainaction
8 Oct 2017Very beautiful and interesting, love all the photos, lovely people.
fotograffer
12 Oct 2017Thanks so much.
MichaelStephenWills
9 Oct 2017beautiful work, Ron.
fotograffer
12 Oct 2017Thank you, Michael.I appreciate your commenting.
beyondtheduero
10 Oct 2017Great stuff… interesting to see a very rustic traditional community with touches of the modern world – poignant
fotograffer
12 Oct 2017INdeed, most have cell phones, even in the remotest villages and a few satellite tv dishes too. Thanks for visiting.
devaulphotography
19 Oct 2017Ron, the whole series is beautiful! I was lucky enough not to go during the war, but unlucky to not be able to go now. Your images are the next best thing, thanks for sharing!
fotograffer
29 Oct 2017Thanks for your kind words. Vietnam, especially the more rural areas, are quite lovely.
Parkstone International
22 Oct 2017love your awesome pictures 🙂
fotograffer
29 Oct 2017Thank you very much.
Kasia G
10 Jan 2018Beautiful Pictures 🙂 Well done!
fotograffer
13 Jan 2018Thank you, Kasia.
fotograffer
17 Jan 2018Thanks so much, Karsia.