When traveling by motorbikes in Vietnam, especially traveling to mountainous areas, you will likely encounter some friendly and hospitable ethnic people group. Here Frontier Travel Vietnam will introduce you to some helpful tips so you can have the best time interacting and getting to know the ethnic people in the S-shaped country.
When to the village of ethnic minorities
Some ethnic people often hold their worshipping ceremony in June, July or February of the lunar calendar. At the ceremony, they often tie items like wooden knives, wooden swords and chicken wings to the doors.
Pay attention to when they are holding their ceremony
During the time of worshiping, according to the customs of the village, there will be many taboos such as not allowing strangers to enter the village. If you have an urgent job, you need to ask for permission to enter the village. Before entering, remember to remove your backpack, carry the bag by hand as well. So if you ride your motorbike right in the time of their ceremony, it will likely that you can't have the chance to meet them.
When interacting with ethnic minorities people
When entering the house, it is not allowed to go straight from the staircase (stairs to the house) to the inner kitchen. In the houses of ethnic people, there are usually 2 kitchens, 1 located outside for guests. So you are usually not allowed to go inside the inner kitchen.
Remember where to sit when coming to the ethnic houses
Remember to do not sit in the nailed door, which is the window of the guest room. Also, do not sit right on the seat cushion when the host has not invited. Those seats are usually for superiors and distinguished guests. And remember to not sit with your legs crossed or spread wide, because it is often considered as impolite.
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When communicating with ethnic minorities
When you arrive at their home or meet them on the road, you need to proactively greet with a sincere attitude, an honest smile and a slight tilt of their head. All of those gestures will eliminate the language barrier.
Use your attitude to get rid of the language barrier
When parting you can shake their hands, no need to say goodbye but always remember to smile. Do not rub on the heads of H'Mong and Dao children, because according to their customs, the souls of the human occupants at the head, if strangers touch their heads, the soul will be panic and flee, making children sick.
About the fire stove of ethnic minorities
After a long motorbike tour, some friendly ethnic families might invite you for dinner. But when joining them, remember some basic rules as below.
The fire stove is both a cooking place and a sacred place for ethnic minorities, used to worship the fire god. Therefore, there are many taboos related to the fire. When sitting next to the fire, do not set your foot on the stove or move the rock that is used to steady the stove. According to their legend, the rock is where the fire god stays and keeps the family safe.
It's important to pay attention to their fire stove as well
When putting firewood into the kitchen, do not put the tops first, because of fear that the daughter of the landlord will give birth backward. When sitting near the stove, remember to not turn your back and step on the stove, do not use your feet to push firewood into the kitchen as well.
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When eating with ethnic minorities
Each ethnic group has different customs about the seating position, so when going in their houses and sit down, be careful not to seat in the forbidden areas.
For Giay, Dao people, the row of seats near the altar is reserved for the oldest people. For the Mong people, when their parents pass away, the position at the head of the table (near the altar) is always empty with the idea that the place is for parents' souls.
A basic meal of the ethnic people in Vietnam
The Thai, Tay, and Muong people often put two small cups near the window for ancestors to come back, so guests shouldn’t sit there as well. Also, you need to pay attention not to sit on the same level as the elderly, do not sit in front and turn your back to the altar as well.
Understanding and respecting the customs and practices of ethnic minorities is the responsibility of tourists when coming to Vietnam. If you’re lucky to have the opportunity to interact with the ethnic minorities of Vietnam, keep these in mind. Frontier Travel Vietnam is ready to help you whenever you need it.
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