The Thai ethnic minority group have a population of more than 1 million inhabitants living in the provinces of Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh and Nghe An. They are also known as Tay, Tay Dam, Tay Khao, Tay Muoi, Tay Thanh, Hang Tong and Pu Thay people. They speak the laguage of Tay- Thai group.
With nearly 900,000 inhabitants (1.45% of the Vietnamese population), Thai ethnic group is divided into Thai trang (White Thai) and Thai Den (Black Thai) on the basis of the clothing colour. The residential sphere spreads from Red River right bank to Thanh Hoa, NgheAn Highlands. It is easy for them to mix with native ethnic groups. They settle in valleys surrounding immense fields (Muong Thanh, Quang Huy, Than Uyen, Nghia Lo), and live on farming, breeding, weaving. The Thai people has its own writing and a very developed popular culture.
The Thai people are famous on consodilating edges, digging cannals, building frames to convey water to the fields. They ussually cultivate water rice, especially sticky rice. Each family breeds cattle and poultry, makes wattle bamboo articles, weaves cloths and some families have developed ceramics. Thai brocade is very well-known for its unique, colourful and durable motifs.
Costume:
Recently, while Thai women retain their traditional clothes including short vests, long black skirts, scarves and ornaments, Thai men have adopted the styles of Kinh people.
Thai people’s costume is also famous for ” Khan Pieu” which is used by girls and have a vital role to her happiness. Girls ussually wear ” Khan Pieu” on festival and give it to the man that they love.
Custom:
After a wedding, Thai men come to live with his wife’s family for several years. After a couple has a child, they move to live in the husband’s house. he Thai believe they will continue life in another world after they die. Thus, they organise funerals like a farewell party to see off dead people to the next world.