The task of neatly classifying the different hill tribe groups of Vietnam is not an easy one. Ethnologists typically classify the Mon-tagnards by linguistic distinction and commonly refer to three main groups (which further splinter into vast and quite complex sub-groupings). The Austro-Asian family includes the Viet-Muong, Mon-Khmer, Tay-Tai and Meo-Dzao language groups; the Austronesian family includes Malayo-Polynesian languages; and the Sino-Tibetan family encompasses the Chinese and Tibeto- Burmese language groups. In addition, within a single spoken language there are often myriad dialectical variations. The following words and phrases should prove useful when visiting members of the larger Vietnamese hill tribes. If you're planning on spending a lot of time within hill tribe areas, consider taking Vietnam Travel Guide's Hill Tribes Phrosebook with you. For more information on hill tribes and the areas they inhabit see.
TAY
Also known as the Ngan, Pa Di, Phen, Thu Lao and Tho, the Tay belong to the Tay-Thai language group.
Hello................Pa prama.
Goodbye..........Pa payno.
Yes ................Mi
No...................Boomi.
Thank you. ......Day fon.
What's your name? ......................................Ten mung Ie xang ma?
Where are you from? ................................... Mu'ng du' te la ma?
How much is this?.........................................Au ni ki lai tien?
H'MONG
The H'mong are also known as Meo, Mieu, Mong Do (White H'mong), Mong Du (Black H'mong) Mong Lenh (Flower H'mong), Mong Si (Red H'mong). They belong to the H'mong-Dzao language group, but their spoken language resembles Mandarin Chinese.
Hello................Ti n?u/Cao cu.
Goodbye..........Cao mun'g che.
Yes ................Co mua.
No...................Chui mua.
Thank you. ......O ch?.
What's your name? ......................................Cao be hua chan'g?
Where are you from? ................................... Cao nhao t? t?a?
How much is this?.........................................P? ch? cha?
DZAO
Also known as Coc Mun, Coc Ngang, Dai Ban, Diu Mien, Dong, Kirn Mien, lan Ten, Lu Gang, Tieu Ban, Trai and Xa, this tribe belongs to the Mong Dzao language group,
Hello................Puang t?i.
Goodbye..........Puang t?i.
Yes ................Mai.
No...................Mai mai
Thank you. ......T? dun.
What's your name? ......................................Mang nhi bua chien nay?
Where are you from? ................................... May h?i do ?
How much is this?.........................................Pchi? nhang?