The Hmong people are an ethnic minority group native to China, where it's estimated 2.7 million Hmong people still remain. In the late 18th century, however, Hmong communities began migrating out of the southern provinces of China and settled into portions of northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and eastern Myanmar. In total, it’s estimated that 1.2 million Hmong people are now living in these regions.
We were fortunate enough to meet many Hmong people during our travels in Vietnam and Thailand. In fact, one of our most memorable trips was a three-day trek we took through the mountains of northern Vietnam, in a town called Sa Pa. Our guide during this trek was a 17-year-old Hmong girl named Bla. She worked as a trekking guide for a small tour company called Sapa Sisters, which is operated solely by local Hmong women. By working as a trekking guide during the busy summer months, Bla is able to raise enough money to pay for her secondary schooling, while also helping to support her family. We were so impressed by Bla’s determination to pursue her education and her fierce sense of independence. She was a wonderful guide, and we learned so much from her during our trek.
But you might be surprised to learn—as we were—that there are approximately 200,000 Hmong people now living in the United States.
