The Mong (or H'mong or Meo) have a population of more than 558,000 concentrated in the highland regions of the provinces of Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Lai Chau, Son La, Cao bang and Nghe An. They have other names: Mong Do (White mong), Mong Lenh (variegated mong), Mong Si (Red mong), Mong Du (Black mong) and Mong Sua (Man mong). The Mong language belongs to the H'mong-Dao Group.

The Mong live mainly on nomadic cultivation of burnt-over land. They also grow rice and corn on terraced fields. The principle food crops are corn, rice grown on burnt-over land and rye. Apart from these, they grow linen plants to supply fibres for cloth weaving and medicinal plants. Mong families rear cattle, dogs, horses and chickens. In former days, the Mong believed that animal husbandry was undertaken by women and hunting in forests was the man's domain.

The Mong make their clothes from self-supplied linen cloth. The traditional female attire comprises a skirt, a blouse open at the front, a pad on the back, an apron to cover the skirt at the front, and leggings. The blouse's collar is a piece of cloth falling on the shoulders, its hem is decorated with fabric bands in various colours. The skirt has many open folds.

It is the general belief among the Mong that persons of the same lineage can live and die together in the same house, and must help and support one another even at the cost of their lives if need be. Each lineage gathers in a group of habitation, its head assumes common affairs.

Young Mong men and women are free to choose their partners. Marriages are absolutely forbidden between men and women of the same lineage. Marriage by "hay pu" is still fairly common in Mong society. It often occurs when the parents approve the young man's and woman's choice but cannot afford the wedding ceremony. Thus the young couple arranges to meet each other at a certain place. When they come there, the young man takes the woman to his house to be his wife. Matrimonial life of the Mong is harmonious. Divorce is rare.

Traditional Tet (New Year's Day) of the Mong is organised every December. They refrain from eating green vegetables within three days of Tet. Musical instruments comprise various kinds of khen (pan-pipes) and lip organs. To enjoy Spring, after a working day, the young men and women often play khen and lip organs to express their feelings to their partners.