Dan Lai Minority Group Faces Extinction

The Dan Lai ethnic minority is the smallest group in Vietnam and the number is dwindling due to their harsh mountainous environment. The Dan Lai group only has around 3,000 members living in the Pu Mat National Park, Nghe An Province. They live near to the Giang River that runs through Vietnam from Laos. According to legend, the Dan Lai People ran away to the river when they could not find the required offerings to the king that consisted of one hundred golden bamboo trees and a luxurious ship. Nowadays, they still depend heavily on the forest for food and other necessities because of limited agricultural techniques. Although the authorities have tried to help them by building houses and schools, the Dan Lai continue to prefer to live in the forest. Their culture, from language to architecture, is also strongly influenced by Thai minority group that live in the area. However, the Dan Lai people are on the verge of extinction due to hunger and long-term interbreeding. (www.dtinews.vn June 5)