Vietnamese people

The Vietnamese people (Vietnamese: người Việt or ng??i Kinh) are an ethnic group originating from what is now northern Vietnam and southern China. They are the majority ethnic group of Vietnam, comprising 86% of the population as of the 1999 census, and are officially known as Kinh to distinguish them from other ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Distribution

Originally from northern Vietnam and Southern China, the Vietnamese have conquered much of the land belonging to the Champa Kingdom and Khmer Empire over the centuries. They are the dominant ethnic group in most provinces of Vietnam, and constitute a significant portion of the population of Cambodia. Under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, they were the most persecuted group. Tens of thousands were murdered in regime-organized massacres. Most of the survivors fled to Vietnam.

Related Topics:
Champa - Khmer Empire - Cambodia - Khmer Rouge

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the 16th century, some Vietnamese migrated north into China; although somewhat more Sinicized, their descendants still speak Vietnamese and form the Gin people of China.

Related Topics:
China - Gin people of China

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They are among the recognized minority groups in the People's Republic of China based especially in or around Guangxi Province.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When the French left Vietnam in 1954, some Vietnamese people immigrated to France. However, there already have been ethnic Vietnamese residing and/or studying in France since at least the end of World War I. As a result of the partition of North and South Vietnam, about 2 million northern Vietnamese migrated to the south to escape actual or perceived persecution.

Related Topics:
1954 - France - North - South Vietnam

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The end of the Vietnam War prompted many others to leave the country. Many resettled in North America, Western Europe and Australia.

Related Topics:
Vietnam War - North America - Western Europe - Australia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~