*Alternate Names: Lao Bốc, Lao Nọi

*Population: The Lao ethnic group in Vietnam numbers over 9,600 individuals.

*Language: The Lao language belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family.

* Residency: The Lao primarily reside in the districts of Điện Biên and Phong Thổ (Lai Châu), Sông Mã (Sơn La), and Than Uyên (Lào Cai).

*Economy: Most Lao people are engaged in wet rice cultivation, utilizing plows, harrows, and irrigation techniques. Family crafts such as weaving, blacksmithing, pottery, and silverwork are also well-developed.

*Clothing: Lao women are renowned for their skill in weaving. They wear high-waisted black skirts with colorful embroidered hems. Short, fitted blouses with silver buttons are common in the Sông Mã region, while in Điện Biên, the blouses are similar to those worn by neighboring Khơ Mú people. Unmarried Lao girls often style their hair in a left-side bun. Women use a traditional headscarf called "Piêu," and when not wearing it, they prefer to style their hair with multiple silver pins. They also adorn themselves with numerous bracelets and tattoos of a vegetable on the back of their hands. Lao men frequently have a swastika tattooed on their wrists.

*Family: The Lao people typically use surnames such as Lò, Lường, and Vi, similar to the Thai, with each surname having its own taboos. Children inherit their father’s surname. Extended families are now rare and generally found only in remote areas, with the nuclear family model being more common. Traditionally, young men would live with their bride’s family for several years before bringing her to their home or setting up their own household; however, this practice has been decreasing over time.

*Funerals: In Lao funeral customs, the deceased are given a proper ceremony and burial. Historically, leaders of the mường or bản were cremated.

*Ancestral Worship: The Lao practice ancestor worship and are influenced by Buddhism.

*Culture: In Lao society, the Mo Lăm are respected for their literacy and knowledge of folklore and folk songs. They record traditional stories and familiar folk songs. Lao folklore also reflects influences from Thai folklore. Traditional Lao dances, such as the Lăm Vông, are performed during festivals and celebrations.

Translated by Huyen Vu