Transforming Marginality: Redefining Hmong Ethnic Identity through Development in Sapa, Vietnam

Authors

Mary Cook, Brigham Young University
Jacob Hickman, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Hmong ethnic identity, Sapa, Vietnam, tourist industry

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Abstract

In addition to a booming tourist industry, Sapa, Vietnam is home to a number of development organizations seeking to improve the livelihoods of ethnic minorities in the region. One Hmong woman, whom I will call Maiv, started one of the first indigenous educational development programs in Sapa- ‘by Hmong people for Hmong people,’ as she describes it. In short, the organization boards ethnic minority youths (mostly Hmong) closer to a local school so they can receive an education. Maiv’s organization also provides jobs for women by running a trekking business, a café, and a handicraft shop.

Recommended Citation

Cook, Mary and Hickman, Jacob (2016) "Transforming Marginality: Redefining Hmong Ethnic Identity through Development in Sapa, Vietnam," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2016: Iss. 1, Article 24.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2016/iss1/24