*Alternate Name: Han

*Population: The Hoa ethnic group numbers over 900,000, consisting of sub-groups with distinct differences in language, names, history, and migration patterns.

* Residency: The Hoa live from the North to the South, in both rural and urban areas

*Language: The Hoa speak languages belonging to the Han Chinese language group

Illustrative Image

*Economy: The Hoa people engage in various professions, including agriculture, crafts, industry, labor, administration, teaching, trading, salt production, and fishing. Hoa farmers have a long tradition of wet rice cultivation, with extensive knowledge in creating agricultural tools such as plows, harrows, sickles, and hoes. Many traditional crafts of the Hoa have been renowned for a long time.

*Housing: The Hoa usually live in tightly-knit villages or along streets, forming densely populated and cohesive communities. Common house types include three-room houses with two side wings, "Môn" and "Khẩu" style houses, often with tiled or thatched roofs and walls made of bamboo, stone, or brick.

*Clothing: Hoa men wear clothing similar to that of the Nùng, Giáy, Mông, and Dao ethnic groups. Women typically wear pants and five-panel jackets with side buttons on the right, extending to cover the hips, along with short-sleeved, five-panel blouses. Shamans wear specific ceremonial garments during rituals. Common headwear includes hats, caps, and umbrellas

*Marriage and Family: In Hoa families, the husband (or father) is the head of the household. Only sons inherit the family estate, with the eldest son receiving a larger share. About 40-50 years ago, extended families often included 4-5 generations and could number in the dozens. Today, they typically live in smaller, nuclear family units.

In Hoa families, marriages are arranged by parents, and early marriages are relatively common. When selecting a spouse for their children, the Hoa place significant emphasis on the "môn đăng hộ đối" principle, which refers to matching families based on social and economic status, as well as social standing and compatibility

Illustrative Image

*Funerals: According to Hoa customs, the funeral process involves several stages: the announcement of mourning, the ritual of body preparation, the ceremony to guide the deceased's soul, the burial, the ritual to escort the soul to the "Western Paradise" or "Pure Land," and the conclusion of mourning. The Hoa believe that all things have a "soul" or "spirit," and deceased ancestors are honored with offerings at home. Additionally, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism have a profound influence on their practices. Hoa communities have temples, shrines, and pagodas for worship and ceremonies.

*Culture: The Hoa people enjoy singing "Sơn ca" (San cưa), which covers a wide range of themes including love, daily life, homeland, and struggle. Opera is also a popular form of artistic expression. Traditional instruments include the trumpet, flute, two-stringed fiddle, stringed instruments, drums, cymbals, and pipa. During festivals, lion dances and martial arts performances are common. Festivals also feature activities such as dragon boat racing, wrestling, and chess games

Translated by Huyen Vu