(October 8) Dr. Nguyen Van Thang gives a presentation on ethnic identity

Topic: The Ambiguity of Ethnic Identity: The Case of the Miao in Northern Vietnam

Presenter: Dr. Nguyen Van Thang (Institute of Ethnology - Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences)

Time: 9:00 am Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Location: Multimedia Room - Museum of Anthropology - 3rd floor, building D - 336 Nguyen Trai - Thanh Xuan - Hanoi.

Summary of content:

According to the results of the ethnic composition determination recognized by the Vietnamese State in 1979, the Mieu is one of the five subgroups of the Hmong people. However, the Mieu consider themselves a separate subgroup. Moreover, in communication with other ethnic groups, it is difficult for 'outsiders' to distinguish who is the Mieu. So who are the Mieu? Who are the Mieu? Why is their identity so difficult to determine? While answering these questions, the author will compare and clarify the differences in the concept of 'ethnic identity' in Vietnam and the East Asia and Southeast Asia regions. At the same time, the author will present approaches related to this topic in the Western anthropological and Vietnamese ethnological traditions, thereby analyzing and discussing their influences on the study of ethnic identity.

Keywords: Miao, Hmong, Ethnic composition, Ethnic classification, Ethnic identity, Theoretical approaches to ethnicity, Northern Vietnam.