Black Hmong (I think)

[The_Traveler]

This is a 19 year old Hmong girl (I think) that we met near Sa Pa in the northern mountains of Vietnam. They sell metal jewelry to tourists who come to Sa Pa for the hiking.
Until you pick one out and say you'll buy from her, you are thronged with all these little women, each trying to claim you.

This is my son, surrounded by a crowd of young women. Once you pick one out, then you belong to her.
She will follow you around, be outside your hotel every time you go out until your last day.
They must get info from the hotel keepers when you are leaving because this young women was outside our hotel at dawn the day we were supposed to leave so we could make good on our promise and buy some stuff from them

They work constantly and it is a common sight to see them on the long walk into town, twisting wire into bracelets, etc as they walk.

 

[tirediron]

...They work constantly and it is a common sight to see them on the long walk into town, twisting wire into bracelets, etc as they walk.

A work ethic that many in North America would do well to adopt! Interesting to see the Canadian flag pin on her shirt.

 

[The_Traveler]

there's not much alternative.
work or starve.
the central government is neutral at best about the tribes.

 

[Derrel]

Interesting to hear the story that underpins these two photos!

 

[pixmedic]

so...you pick out a young girl and she stays with you your entire visit?
man...I thought that only happened in Amsterdam! Have to add another place to my "must visit" list!

always wanted to visit Vietnam...Dad always told me he was there in the 60's and had little desire to return.
of course, the fact that he was a POW there probably made him a little biased.

#1 is a really nice portrait shot.

 

[mmaria]

quite interesting

 

[sashbar]

They have some good taste, these Black Hmong girls.

 

[The_Traveler]

The Hmong were generally on the US side, which didn't endear them to the resulting government. The government often relocated them to reeducation villages; not so nice.

I wrote this blog piece about my encounter with a montagnard woman in Hanoi.

 

[Trever1t]

Biggest publicity they ever got was Eastwood's Gran Torino...not a real representation either from the few Hmong I know. Love the images. I haven't been to Sa Pa yet but it's on my list for the next trip to VN prolly 2015.


Just read that blog, very cool! I enjoy your travel photos and stories very much!