(VOVworld) – Many of the Van Kieu’s traditional values and customs including their stilt houses have been affected by modern life. The Quang Tri provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has upgraded 16 stilt houses of the Van Kieu in Kalu hamlet in Dakrong district. Kalu hamlet has now become a cultural and community-based eco-tourist site of the Van Kieu.

(VOVworld) - Among the Van Kieu a wedding is an important event not only for the two families but for the whole village. After a period of dating, the boy and girl inform their families of their relationship and prepare a wedding. Modern weddings still involve rituals that are part of a long tradition.

(VOVworld) – The Van Kieu of Quang Tri province are the only ethnic group in Vietnam who have adopted President Ho Chi Minh’s family name “Ho”. They wanted to show their gratitude for the revolution and President Ho Chi Minh giving them a happier and more prosperous life. The Van Kieu continue to study and follow President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example in their everyday life.

(VOVworld) – The Van Kieu group live mainly in Huong Hoa and Dakrong commune and Lao Bao township. The Van Kieu are also called Tri, Khua, Ma Coong, and Bru. During the war Van Kieu people wholeheartedly followed the revolution and President Ho Chi Minh and adopted Ho as their family name.

(VOVworld) – Ta Van Giay, a hamlet of the Giay in Sapa township, Lao Cai province, is nestled in Muong Hoa valley. The Hoa, or Flower, Spring provides water for the whole hamlet. The Giay take into consideration several things in building a house to ensure long-lasting happiness and prosperity for family members.

(VOVworld) – A worshiping feast of the Giay always includes cakes made from glutinous rice, rice powder, and puffed rice. These are farm produce that the Giay offer their ancestors when praying to them for good health, luck, and another bumper crop. The cakes are carefully made, representing the respect and feelings of people for their ancestors.

(VOVworld) – The Giay have diverse genres of folk singing. The lyrics are about legends, natural and social phenomena, love, and life. Community singing sessions always rally all villagers in the hamlet.

(VOVworld)- The Giay ethnic minority people pay special attention to children. When a baby is born, it’s a great joy to the whole family and clan. Their expectation for the child is reflected in the naming ceremony which embraces the cultural identity of the Giay.

(VOVworld) – The Giay people in every hamlet organize a “Going to the field” festival in the first lunar month to pray for peace, a bumper crop, prosperity, and good weather. The festival marks the end of the festive month and the beginning of a hard working year.

(VOVworld) – The Giay people care a great deal about marriage and the continuation of the family line. Their least concern is a family’s wealth or poverty. For them, the most important things are morality, family tradition, and respect.