Chàm

Chàm refers to the Cham people, an Austronesian ethnic group native to the coast of central and southern Vietnam, with communities in Cambodia and diasporic communities abroad. They are descendants of the historic Kingdom of Champa, which arose along the Vietnamese coast from approximately the 2nd century CE and thrived as a maritime trading culture influenced by Hinduism and Indian Ocean networks. The Champa state persisted until its decline in the 15th century, when the Vietnamese Nguyễn and Đại Việt forces gradually absorbed its territories; remnants of Cham culture remain in coastal villages, temple sites, and living traditions.

Language and population are linked to the Cham people’s diverse heritage. The Cham language (Chăm) belongs to the Chamic branch of the Austronesian family and includes several varieties. In Vietnam, Cham communities speak Western Cham, while Eastern Cham is spoken by Cham populations in Cambodia and southern Vietnam. Many Cham people are bilingual, using Vietnamese or Khmer in daily life and public affairs.

Religion and culture have historically been closely connected to Cham identity. Traditional Cham religion in central Vietnam was Hindu-Brahmanical, as reflected in monumental temple complexes such as Mỹ Sơn, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Mekong Delta and in parts of Cambodia, a significant portion of Cham communities practice Islam, often referred to as Cham Bani, while Hindu or syncretic practices continue among others. Cham cultural expression includes distinctive music, weaving, and crafts, with architectural and artistic influences that continue to mark coastal Cham towns.

Today, Cham communities maintain distinct linguistic and cultural traditions within broader national societies and also form diaspora communities in North America, Europe, and Australia.