A Dao Family, Ba Be National Park - Mr Linh's Adventures
In the heart of the majestic
Ba Be National Park, in the
province of Bac Kan, resides an ethnic community rich in traditions and history: the
Dao, also called Yao, Dong, Trai, Diu Mien or Kim Mien. Originally from the Chinese provinces of Fukien, Guangdong, and Guangxi, their migration to Vietnam, which began in the 12th century, continued until the 20th century. Today, they number about one million in Vietnam, mainly in the north of the country. In Ba Be, their presence dates back a millennium, in harmony with other ethnic groups such as the Tay and the Nung.
Diversity and Traditions
The Dao community is divided into several groups, each with its own cultural and linguistic specificities. Among the most notable are the Dao Lo Giang, the Red Dao, and the Dao with Sapèques, recognizable by their colorful traditional costumes and their unique practices.
Language and Spirituality
While the Hmong-Dao language is commonly spoken, Vietnamese facilitates daily exchanges. Sino-Dao, on the other hand, is reserved for ritual masters, guardians of the transmission of ancestral knowledge. The spirituality of the Dao is a mixture of popular beliefs, influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. The cult of ancestors and agricultural rituals punctuate their spiritual life, rooted in respect for nature and past generations.
Ban Vuong: A Founding Ancestor
Beyond the cult of ancestors, the Dao have a particular veneration for Ban Vuong, the mythical ancestor considered the founder of their ethnic group. This tutelary figure is at the center of many rituals, essential for the health and prosperity of families. The ceremonies in his honor are highlights of community life, strengthening the link between the Dao and their origins.
Dao cultural space at "Bac Kan Culture - Tourism Week" - Bac Kan Official Website
Funeral Rites: A Tribute to the Ancestors
Dao funeral rites are steeped in traditions and spirituality. The Festival of the Dead, celebrated in the third lunar month, is a moment of communion and recollection. The rituals, often led by shamans, ensure a harmonious transition to the other world. The preparation of the body, the offerings and the prayers testify to the indissoluble link between the living and the dead.
Cuisine and Folklore: A Living Heritage
Dao cuisine is a reflection of their culture: rich and varied. Dishes based on boiled meat, dried meats, soup of marinated sour bamboo shoots... so many flavors that delight the palate. The Têt, celebrated in the first lunar month, is an opportunity for rituals in honor of the ancestors. Dao folklore, with its tales such as "Gourd with Flood" and "The Story of the Primitive Ancestors," perpetuates collective memory.
Young Dao women learning traditional embroidery - Bac Kan Oficial Website
Ba Be: A Jewel of Traditions
Several Dao villages in Ba Be National Park deserve special attention: Him Dam, renowned for its warm welcome; Na Nghe, with its typical wooden houses; Khua Quang, famous for its quality corn alcohol; and Cam Dan. The Dao of Ba Be live mainly from agriculture and the gathering of medicinal plants, in symbiosis with their environment.
Culinary Specialties of Ba Be
Cá Nướng Pác Ngòi: Grilled fish with local aromatic herbs, often served with sticky rice and fresh vegetables.
Thịt Lợn Gác Bếp: Smoked pork, marinated with spices and dried, usually accompanied by fresh vegetables and fragrant rice.
Com Lam: Sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, a traditional cooking method of mountainous regions.
Tom Chua: Shrimp marinated in a sweet and sour sauce, a fresh and light dish.
Grilled Fish with Bamboo (Cá Nục Nướng Tre): Fresh fish wrapped in bamboo leaves before being grilled.
Corn alcohol, especially that produced by the hamlet of Khua Quang, is another local pride.
Dao Tien of Ba Be - Mr Linh's Adventures
A Cultural Heritage to Preserve
The
Dao community of
Ba Be National Park is a cultural treasure of Vietnam. Their history, their traditions, their veneration for Ban Vuong and their way of life in harmony with nature make them an essential element of Vietnamese heritage, a mosaic of colors and flavors to discover and preserve.
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