The Ngai People in Vietnam: History, Culture, and Identity Consciousness

Abstract

The article presents new findings about the Ngai people in Vietnam, focusing on the identity and factors of ethnic identity. Discussed theoretical perspectives include one according to which ethnic identity is a built-in biological structure (primordialism) and the opposite view, that identity is a constructed structure (circumstantialism). The findings from the study reinforce the notion that consciousness of ethnicity arises during the interaction between ethnic groups and that ethnic identity is flexible, and changes as circumstances change. The Ngai people in Vietnam (with the San Ngai and Hakka subgroups) are considered local subgroups of the Hoa/Han Chinese ethnic group. However, considering these subgroups' names, immigration history, language, and cultural characteristics, they are communities with little connection to the Han ethnic group. The history of ethnic interactions with the Han and other ethnic groups in South China and Vietnam makes the perception of ethnic identity different between these groups, reflecting the ambiguity about ethnic identity.