Some Issues on Vietnam’s Brau People in Relations with Ethnic Counterparts in Laos and Cambodia

Abstract

The Brau belong to an ethnic group residing mainly in the border areas of the
three Indochina countries. This ethnic group has strong cross-border social relationships and
is influenced by several neighbouring ethnic groups’ cultures. Local Brau groups have some
cultural and social characteristics in common, but there are also differences. The Vietnamese
Brau were originally part of the Brau community in Laos and Cambodia, and they
immigrated to Vietnam during the French colonial period. They reside in Dak Me village of
Po Y commune, Ngoc Hoi district, Kon Tum province. As an ethnic minority with a very small
population, they receive special attention from the State. However, knowledge about this
ethnic group is still limited. This is the reason why policies to preserve and promote this
ethnic group’s culture are not effective. Based on clarifying the characteristics of Brau people
in Laos and Cambodia, the article raises some issues facing Brau people in Vietnam today.