The Hmong, or Meo, who number about 800,000, are found in villages known as giao throughout the highlands of northern Vietnam. The Hmong migrated to Vietnam from the southern China at the beginning of the 19th century. The Hmong minority group has been subdivided into branches classified by women’s costume, dialect and customs. For example, the Hmong of Sa Pa are called Black Hmong because of their predominantly black clothing. The most colourful sub-group are the Flower Hmong, found in large numbers around Bac Ha in Lao Cai province, who wear bright-coloured clothes with embroidery. Corn is the main staple of Hmong people, but rice is often grown on terraces watered with the aid of irrigation. Hemp is grown to be woven into textiles, and cotton is also cultivated in some villages. As skilled artisans, the Hmong produce a variety of items, including handwoven indigo-dyed cloth, paper, silver jewellry, leather goods, baskets and embroidery. The Hmong have no written language. Their legends, songs, folklore and proverbs have been passed down from one generation to the next through the spoken word. Answer the questions 1. What Is the other name of the Hmong? _______________________________________________________________________ 2. When did the Hmong come to Vietnam? _______________________________________________________________________ 3. Why are the Hmong of Sa Pa called Black Hmong? _______________________________________________________________________ 4. Where do the Hmong grow rice? _______________________________________________________________________ 5. What are the products of the Hmong people? _______________________________________________________________________ 6. How have their legends, songs, folklore and proverbs been passed down? _______________________________________________________________________