Lao ethnic group-Vietnam

Name of ethnic group: Lao (Lao Boc and Lao Noi).
Population: 11,611 people (Year 1999).
Locality: Concentrated in Dien Bien City (Dien Bien Province); Phong Tho and Than Uyen districts (Lai Chau Province); Song Ma District (Son La Province).

Customs and habits
The Lao worship their ancestors and are influenced by Buddhism. The Lao often take the family names of Lo, Luong, or Vi. Children take the family name of their father. When a person dies, a funeral ceremony and burial is carefully organized. Cremation occurs only if the deceased is the chief of a "muong" or a "ban" (village).

Culture
The Lao language belongs to the Tay-Thai Group. The "mo lam" (sorcerers) of Lao culture are very good at writing and narrating ancient tales and folksongs. Lao folklore and its legacy is heavily influenced by Thai culture. The "lam vong" (Lao folk dance) are always performed during festivals and ceremonies.

Costumes
Women wear black skirts that are knotted at the front and come up to their chests. The hems are usually decorated with two bands of embroidered motifs in different colors. Lao men used to have a Han script and an animal tattooed on their wrist and thighs.

Economy
The Lao primarily grow rice in submerged fields using advanced techniques such as ploughing, harrowing, and irrigating. Additional family income is generated through weaving, blacksmithing, pottery, and silver production.

Other Vietnam Ethnic Groups:

[Xtieng ethnic group][Xo dang ethnic group][Xinh - mun ethnic group][Tho ethnic group][ Thai ethnic group][Ta Oi ethnic group][Tay ethnic group][Si La ethnic group][San Diu ethnic group][San Chay ethnic group][Ro mam ethnic group][Ra Glai ethnic group][Pu Peo ethnic group][Phu La ethnic group][Pa Then ethnic group][O du ethnic group][Nung ethnic group][Ngai ethnic group][Muong ethnic group][M’Nong ethnic group][Mong (H’Mong) ethnic group][Ma ethnic group][Lu ethnic group][Lo Lo ethnic group][Lao ethnic group][La Hu ethnic group][ La Ha ethnic group][La chi ethnic group][Viet (Kinh) ethnic group][Kho Mu ethnic group][Khmer ethnic group][Khang ethnic group][Hre ethnic group][Hoa ethnic group][Ha Nhi ethnic group][Gie Trieng ethnic group][Gia Rai ethnic group][Giay ethnic group][E De ethnic group][Dao ethnic group][Co Tu ethnic group][Co Lao ethnic group][Co Ho ethnic group][Cong ethnic group][Co ethnic group][Chut ethnic group][Chu Ru ethnic group][Cho Ro ethnic group][Cham ethnic group][Bru - Van Kieu ethnic group][Brau ethnic group][Bo Y ethnic group][Ba Na ethnic group]