This page provides some details about Tho people. They are one of the 54 groups of people in Vietnam.

Name Of Ethnic Group

Tho (also known as Keo, Mon, Cuoi, Ho, Tay Poong, Dan Lai, and Ly Ha)

Tho People Population

91,430 people (2019 Census)


The Tho live mainly in the western parts of Nghe An Province.

Customs & Habits

Formerly, the Tho lived in houses built on stilts. Now they prefer houses built on the ground. Close relationships and a desire to help each other have existed for a very long time in Tho society. Young Tho boys and girls have enjoyed considerable freedom through a custom known as “Ngu Mai”. They are allowed to live together and have heart-to-heart talks with each other. In the course of these nocturnal parties, each boy and girl will eventually find their sweetheart. As for marriage, a boy’s family must spend a lot of money in preparation for the celebration of the wedding. Therefore, a boy must work many days for his future in-laws.

Offroad Vietnam Motorbike Tours - 54 Groups: Tho People Of Vietnam. Tho people, Keo, Mon, Cuoi, Ho, Tay Poong, Dan Lai, and Ly Ha minority, Tho ethnie, montagnard



The Tho language belongs to the Viet-Muong Group.


Tho attire resembles the farmers’ dress of the Kinh in the early half of the 20th century. Tho women buy skirts from the Thai and wear a square white cloth around their heads which serves as a female headdress. The morning ribbon is a long white piece of cloth.




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