The Montagnard village: unique heritage of the Vietnamese Central Highlands

Abstract

The Vietnamese Central Highlands is a unique land in the ecological and cultural context of Vietnam. Among the factors making the area distinctive is the traditional type of village known locally as a Montagnard village. A Montagnard village is not only a functioning residence, but also a social-cultural unit that contributes to determining the world outlook, the way of life, the kinds of art, and the diverse norms of behavior of the indigenous residents. This article seeks to analyze the typical traits which serve to differentiate the Montagnard village from the villages of Kinh and other ethnic minority groups.