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Réhahn said: "By learning the language, I found myself drawn to the elders and their magical stories. When they spoke about their culture and traditions, their eyes lit up. When they donned their traditional clothing, they seemed to return to their ancestors, to the pride of their national culture. Their stories have inspired me to this day."
Photographer Réhahn
In 2011, Réhahn chose Hoi An as his hometown in Vietnam. Six years later, he opened a museum dedicated to the ethnic groups of Vietnam. His photographs captivate audiences worldwide and raise awareness of Vietnam's diverse and valuable cultural heritage. Below are 25 images from his extensive collection.
The Ba people
The Bana people mainly reside in Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Phu Yen, Binh Thuan, and Dak Lak provinces. Bana (or Bahnar) architecture is famous for its stilt houses located in the center of the village, which can reach heights of up to 20 meters.
Photo: Réhahn
Dao people
The Black Dao people wear black trousers and jackets with delicate embroidery, decorated with pleated collars and beads on the sleeves and neckline. The Red Dao are "experts" in patterns and use indigo dye to color their clothing.
Brau people
The Brâu people mainly live in Dak Me village, Bo Y commune, Kon Tum province, Central Highlands. They typically dye their teeth, smoke pipes, and wear large, heavy ear ornaments to enhance the "beauty" of their ears.
Bru Van Kieu people
The Bru-Van Kieu people mean "people who live in the forest." Réhahn photographed this woman from a Bru-Van Kieu group in Quang Tri province.
Cham people
The Cham people, who are Muslim and speak their local language, live in southern Vietnam, including several thousand in the desert region of Ninh Thuan.
NKatu people
The Co Tu people live in the lowlands and highlands of Quang Nam province in central Vietnam. For centuries, men have traditionally worn clothing made from tree bark fibers.
Dao people
The Dao people typically cultivate their crops on terraced rice paddies in the stunning mountainous region of northern Vietnam, an area recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site.
Ede people
The Ede people are one of the only matriarchal ethnic groups in Vietnam. Women wear a long sarong, while men wear a linen suit and a vest or robe. They live primarily in the Central Highlands.
Hmong people
Sewing and embroidery skills are a prominent feature of Hmong culture. Intricate pattern-making and embroidery techniques have been passed down through generations. The patterns created by the Hmong people on their fabrics and clothing are considered exquisite.
La Chi people
The La Chi people typically live in Ha Giang, Lao Cai, and other areas. La Chi men are skilled builders and are known for their ability to decorate household items and rattan crafts.
Lahu people
The La Hủ people are also known by other names such as Xá Lá Vàng, Cò Xung, Khù Sung, Khả Quy… The La Hủ people live in China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos… They live in Mường Tè, Lai Châu and are known as legendary tiger hunters; the name “La Hủ” means “strong as a tiger”.
Lolo people
The Lolo people, also known as Di, Mun Di, Man Di, La La, Qua La, or O Man, are divided into three groups, distinguishable by the colors of their traditional clothing. In Vietnam, the Lolo people mainly reside in Dong Van (Meo Vac), Bao Lac (Cao Bang), and Muong Khuong (Lao Cai).
M'nong people
The M'nong people are highly skilled elephant trainers, and elephants play an important role in M'nong folklore and village life. They typically live in the southwestern mountainous districts of Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Quang Nam, Lam Dong, and Binh Phuoc provinces.
O Du people
The name O Du, in Thai, means "very much loved." In Vietnam, they mainly reside in Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province. At 78 years old, Ms. Vi Thi Dung is the last woman still wearing the traditional O Du skirt of her village.
The Pà Thẻn people
The Pà Thẻn people mainly live in Hà Giang and Tuyên Quang provinces. A distinctive feature of Pà Thẻn women is the wearing of indigo-colored headscarves wrapped in multiple layers around the head. This is done in a style resembling a "one" shape, forming a wide, flared fringe like a hat, or a "human" shape, creating fringes on either side of the ears. The main colors of their clothing are red, black, and white. The patterns are primarily created through weaving.
Phu La people
The majority of the Phù Lá people of Vietnam live in remote villages in the provinces of Lào Cai, Lai Châu, Sơn La, and Hà Giang. These small communities typically consist of only 10 to 15 families and are headed by a village chief.
The Ha Nhi people
The Ha Nhi are one of the most remote ethnic groups in Vietnam, with several small groups living in the mountainous regions of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. They comprise three subgroups: Co Cho, La Mi, and Black Ha Nhi.
Rơ Măm people
The Rơ Măm people primarily reside in Le village, Mô Rai commune, Sa Thầy district, Kon Tum province. The Rơ Măm people practice the custom of "filing teeth and stretching ears." Women wear earrings, bracelets, and beaded necklaces around their necks.
Currently, only 12 traditional Rơ Măm costumes remain; no one creates them anymore. Photographer Réhahn received one of these traditional costumes, along with a lens and bag, as a gift from the Rơ Măm chieftain.
The exhibition, held at the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum (26 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoi An), showcases 45 ethnic minority costumes by photographer Réhahn, as well as numerous artifacts and images. Admission to the exhibition is free, open seven days a week, and Réhahn's gallery in Ho Chi Minh City sells printed books and supports the photographer's Giving Back Project (Couleurs d'Asie by Réhahn – 1st floor, 151/71 Dong Khoi Street, Ho Chi Minh City). All images in this story are copyrighted by photographer Réhahn.
Lam Tue(Photo: Réhahn)
