Domestic Social Relations Among Ethnic Minorities in the Vietnam-China Border Area

Abstract

This article analyses the domestic social relationships among ethnic minorities in the Vietnam-China border area, with a specific focus on various facets including population dynamics, spatial arrangement, establishment of social institutions and residential communities, marital connections, and migratory patterns. The findings reveal that irrespective of whether ethnic groups have longstanding settlements or have migrated recently, whether they boast large or small populations, they exhibit a strong sense of unity and solidarity, rallying together to surmount life’s challenges. Nonetheless, present circumstances witness the expansion of social stratification and discrepancies in living standards. Evident disparities have emerged in terms of educational access, political engagement, and vested interests both across ethnic groups collectively and between residents and migrants specifically. These issues stand as raised concerns necessitating appropriate, adaptable, and timely policies for socio-economic development. Such policies should not only uphold political security and national defence, but also effectively foster national unity within border regions. It is crucial to prevent any inadvertent vulnerabilities that could be exploited by antagonistic forces seeking to undermine the nation's political stability.