ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Montagnard (Vietnam)

Montagnards are people who live in the mountains of Vietnam. They are different from the Vietnamese people who live in the cities and other lowland areas. Montagnards have their own culture, language, and way of life that is different from the rest of Vietnam. The word "montagnard" comes from the French language, which means "mountain people."

Montagnards have traditionally lived in small villages in the mountains of Vietnam. They practice subsistence agriculture, which means they grow their own food in small gardens or fields. They also hunt and raise animals like chickens and pigs for food. Montagnards are skilled at using the natural resources around them to survive in the mountains. They know how to find and use plants and herbs for medicine, and they are experts at weaving baskets and other items from bamboo.

In Vietnam, montagnards have faced discrimination and persecution from the government and people in the lowland areas. The government has tried to force them to give up their traditional way of life and assimilate to mainstream Vietnamese culture. They have also been accused of being involved in anti-government activities. This has caused many montagnards to leave their homes and flee to neighboring countries like Cambodia and Thailand.

Despite the challenges they face, montagnards have a rich and unique culture that is an important part of Vietnam's history. They continue to hold onto their traditions and way of life, even as they face pressure to assimilate to mainstream Vietnamese culture.