The Roots of Authority within the Hmong Communities in Vietnam: A Study from Lai Châu Province, Northwestern Region of Vietnam

Abstract

Background and Objectives: In the late 18th century, the Hmong migrated to Vietnam, primarily settling in the north. While recent scholarship has examined their cultural, social, and economic life, their historical political landscape remains underexplored. Lai Châu province, a major Hmong hub, offers rich insights into this area, as the community has significantly shaped local culture and history. This study investigates the origins and evolution of Hmong authority in Lai Châu, focusing on political engagement, cultural preservation, and intra- and intergroup relations.

Methodology: The research draws on the theories of Max Weber, Joseph Raz, and Hannah Arendt, employing qualitative methods—interviews, questionnaires, and participant observation—supplemented by quantitative survey data and secondary sources. Interviews were conducted with pastors, elders, and villagers, alongside questionnaires given to 44 Hmong Christian and Catholic informants. Participant observation over 2024–2025 deepened understanding of community dynamics, with data systematically organized using Google Forms.

Main Results: Historically, Lai Châu’s Hmong communities were governed by traditional authority, with matriarchal kinship central to social structure. Leaders included the village chief (thawj tswv zog), deputy (lwm tswv zog), elders (cov laug zog), and shamans (txiv neeb), who oversaw ceremonies and rituals. Despite French colonial and Kinh administrative pressures, Hmong villages preserved their governance systems and even organized military groups for defense until 1954. Authority combined traditional chiefs, religious leaders, and, increasingly, diminished shamanic influence. Village chiefs and deputies were elected, fostering a democratic ethos resistant to centralized power. Modern Hmong still value political autonomy, often favoring native leaders over state-appointed officials.

Discussions: Authority within the Hmong societies of Lai Châu has evolved according to two of the three types put forward by Max Weber (1978) and is present in both traditional and modern societies. Hmong people have so far respected the authority exercised by native chiefs, the elderly, and religious dignitaries rather than formal authority weilded by other ethnic groups. The role of democracy is also important to the exercise of authority as argued by Arendt (2006). This article asserts that elements of the discourse on authority, as argued by the aforementioned researchers, are applicable to the historical evolution of Hmong authority, and is well-preserved alongside cultural heritage of the Hmong people.

Conclusions: This article explores the evolution of authority within Hmong societies in Lai Châu province, highlighting the complex interplay of traditional and modern power structures. Traditionally, Hmong authority was centered around the village chief, elders, and shamans, with a matriarchal kinship system that persisted even during colonial rule. In modern times, authority is distributed between elected village chiefs, charismatic religious leaders, and the remnants of traditional practices, while the influence of the shaman has waned. The article also examines how Hmong communities navigate the tension between traditional leadership and the formal governance imposed by the Vietnamese state, reflecting their resistance to complete assimilation and a preference for indigenous forms of authority.