Tay Ethnic Group

The Tay are the largest of the hill tribes who live at low elevations and valleys in the northern provinces. They are most easily recognizable by their indigo blue and black clothes; they often don head wraps farming tools in belt sheaths. They traditionally live in stilt wooden houses, though a long history of proximity to the ethnic-Vietnamese has seen a gradual change to more typical Vietnamese brick and earthen housing. 

The Tay are also known for their abilities in cultivating wet rice, tobacco, fruit, herds and spices. Religiously they adhere closely to Vietnamese beliefs in Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, but they also worship genies and local spirits. Since they developed their own script in the 16th century, Tay literature and arts, including music, folk songs, poems and dance, have gained substantial renown.