The Thai have a population of about one and half million people living in the provinces of Lai Chau, Son La, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An. The Thai language belongs to the Tay-Thai group.

The Thai are experienced farmers. They dig canals to bring water to their fields. Their main food is rice, especially sticky rice. The Thai also grow other crops on the burnt-out land. They also make bamboo items and weaven cloth. Thai cloth is well-know for being unique, colorful and strong.

Recently, Thai men prefer to wear the Kinh’s style of dress, while Thai women keep their traditional costumes including shorts blouses, long skirts, scarves and ornaments. The Thai live in houses on stilt. Their village comprise 40 to 50 houses, usually built side by side.

The Thai worship their ancestors. Each year they hold festivals and ceremoneies with alternating songs between boys and girls, and many traditional games.