Tay ethnic minority occupies 1st place in the ethnic minorities of Vietnam. While Viet people have 86% of the population, Tay residents have less than 2%. Their number is estimated at approximately 1.7 million. It is estimated, they are in Vietnam already in the year 500 A.D. This group is divided into the another smaller groups (e.g. Ngan, Phen, Tho, Thu Lao, Pa Di). People inhabit the area mainly in the north-eastern part of northern Vietnam, in the provinces of Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, Quang Ninh, Ha Giang, in smaller numbers in Yen Bai and Lao Cai.
The culture of the Tay ethnic group is very rich. Starting with traditional folklore and wedding songs, poems, dances and music. The well-known song is “Hat Luon“, it’s called. duet between lovers. During the year, there are a several festivals and celebrations that have different meanings. They are typical farmers and some traditions have persisted to the present. E.g. long tradition in the cultivation of wet rice, digging irrigation canals, threshing grain rice on wooden racks (Loong). The most famous craft of Tay ethnic minority is weaving brocade of original designs, which are highly prized.
Clothes are not so colorful as with other ethnic minorities. Clothes are made of cotton that is dyed indigo color. There is not so much to see the embroidery or other decorations. Women wear skirts or pants, polo shirt and black scarf, men wear trousers and shirt or T-shirt. Thu Lao ethnic minority wears cone-shaped scarf on their heads and Tho ethnic minority dresses like Thai residents of Mai Chau town.
Dwellings are similar to Thai residents, the house is built on the pillars. They use the tiles, straw or palm leaf for building the roof and wood or bamboo for walls. The villages are often built in the foothills and are often named according to mountains, rivers or fields that are located here. Villages are often large and have dozens of homes at once.
