The Dao ethnic minority group is one of 54 fraternal ethnic groups in Vietnam.

The Dao ethnic group, which has many names such as Đông, Trại, Dìu Miền, and Kim Miền, has a total population of nearly 1 million people. They live mainly in the northern mountain provinces of Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Lai Chau and Tuyen Quang and the midland provinces of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh. There are many subgroups differentiated by habits, customs, and costumes, for example, the Red Dao, Dao Quần Chạt, Dao Lo Ga, White Pants Dao, and Dao Thanh Y. Each Dao group is easily identified by their costumes. Generally, a woman’s costume includes shirt, skirt, headscarf, a pair of leggings, and jewelry. A man wears a short shirt with a line of buttons. Nowadays, the Dao have maintained their traditional culture in costumes and language. Although they include many groups living in many different localities, they speak one language. Besides, they have preserved a close-knit community which respects traditional spiritual beliefs and rituals.

Social development and integration have affected many ethnic minority customs, but the Dao people have maintained their unique cultural values and in doing so have helped to preserve and promote the culture of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

The Ede are the 12th most populous of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, totaling 330,000. They live Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen province. The Ede language belongs to the Cham and the Malayo-Polynesian language group. Originally, the Ede moved to Vietnam’s central region and then to the central highlands between the 8th century and the 15th century. Their house on stilts has the shape of a long boat, whose length is from 15 to 100 meters. The head of the family is always a woman. Children bear their mother’s surname and sons are not entitled to an inheritance. The groom moves to his wife’s house to live. Daughters inherit the ancestors’ assets. The youngest daughter inherits the house to continue worshipping the ancestors and is responsible for looking after her aging parents. The opening of the windows of a house signals that its female owner has gotten married. Like many other ethnic groups in the central highlands, the Ede worship multiple Gods, including the Gods of Thunder, Mountains, Rivers and Forests. They believe every thing from the grass to a house or a gong has a soul. Many traditional Ede festivals are still maintained, including the buffalo stabbing festival, the house warming ritual, and the adulthood ceremony. The Ede boast their rich folklore, which has been passed down orally. Their myths, fairy tales, proverbs and Khan Dam San and Khan Dam Keth M’lan epics are famous throughout Vietnam. Their popular musical instruments are gongs, bamboo flute, pan-pipe, and a wind instrument called a Dinh Nam.