The Hmong People of Northern Vietnam
It was a foggy evening in the mountainous region on the border of Vietnam and China where I was able to get a true glimpse into the intriguing lives of the local ‘Hmong’ people. Unlike other remote communities that have been tainted by Western culture, the majority of people here were still clothed in traditional Hmong attire which included an assortment of brightly colored clothing, head wraps, and women wearing large silver hoop earrings. The adults in the area would typically be seen carrying produce, work materials, or their children/grandchildren on their backs.
The faces of the Hmong sometimes appeared to be much older than their actual age due to factors such as hard labor, lack of nutrition, sun exposure, and having children at a young age. Though they looked somewhat hardened, each of their faces told a unique story and they were none the less beautiful.
It was very obvious that many of the people here had never seen foreigners before. Some of my favorite moments were simply smiling at the children, waving, and seeing their eyes brighten as they giggled and excitedly yelled, “Hello!”. It is so crazy to think that, for some, this is the only way of life they will ever know. I felt very grateful that I was able to briefly experience their untainted, raw, and beautiful world.
