Some Issues on Vietnam’s Brau People in Relations with Ethnic Counterparts in Laos and Cambodia

Abstract

The Brau belong to an ethnic group residing mainly in the border areas of the three Indochina countries. This ethnic group has strong cross-border social relationships and is influenced by several neighbouring ethnic groups’ cultures. Local Brau groups have some cultural and social characteristics in common, but there are also differences. The Vietnamese Brau were originally part of the Brau community in Laos and Cambodia, and they immigrated to Vietnam during the French colonial period. They reside in Dak Me village of Po Y commune, Ngoc Hoi district, Kon Tum province. As an ethnic minority with a very small population, they receive special attention from the State. However, knowledge about this ethnic group is still limited. This is the reason why policies to preserve and promote this ethnic group’s culture are not effective. Based on clarifying the characteristics of Brau people in Laos and Cambodia, the article raises some issues facing Brau people in Vietnam today.