THE EXCHANGE AND ECONOMIC, CULTURAL CHANGES OF THE KHMER COMMUNITY AT AN BINH COMMUNE, PHU GIAO DISTRICT, BINH DUONG PROVINCE

Abstract

The Khmer is one of the ethnic groups in Vietnam and belongs to the Mon-Khmer South Asian language group. They mainly live in the southeast. They also scatter in some other southern areas, including Ho Chi Minh city, Binh Duong province and Binh Phuoc province etc. These days, the Khmer’s tradition and culture have been changed because of many different factors. By Anthropology research methods, primarily qualitative method, field method and direct surveys combined with the theory about exchange, acculturation, this research paper aims to gain an insight into the process of exchange and economic, cultural changes of the Khmer at An Binh Commune, Phu Giao district, Binh Duong province. The research result shows that in the process of coexistence with the Kinh people, the Khmer’s economic and cultural values are impacted and internalized by the Kinh people. The Khmer’s economic and cultural values have been changed to adapt to the new ecological environment, culture, and social context. The research paper also points out and discusses the main reasons causing the Khmer’s economic and cultural changes. It also provides some recommendations for the preservation and development of the Khmer culture in the current integration context.