Vietnamita

Vietnamita is the Spanish-language demonym for a person from Vietnam or for the Vietnamese language. In English, the corresponding term is Vietnamese. The word is used to describe people who identify with Vietnam’s national community as well as aspects of its culture and language. The term encompasses both the majority ethnic group, the Kinh (Viet), and the country’s numerous minority communities.

Demography and language: Vietnam has a population of about 100 million people. The vast majority belong to the Kinh (Viet) ethnic group; 53 other recognized groups include Tay, Thai, Muong, Khmer Krom, Hmong, Dao, and others. Vietnamese, the national language, is an Austroasiatic, Vietic language spoken by the great majority of the population. It uses the Latin-based Quoc Ngu script with diacritics. Numerous minority languages remain in use across the country.

History and culture: A distinct Vietnamese identity formed through centuries of interaction with neighboring China, periods of autonomy, and the formation of statehood. Vietnamese independence was first recognized in 939 CE; the territory was later colonized by France and became independent after the mid-20th century, followed by reunification in 1975. Cultural life blends Confucian, Buddhist, and folk traditions with influences from Catholicism and modern secularism. Cuisine, art, and literature emphasize family, communal ties, and resilience. Popular dishes include pho and banh mi; traditional music and theater persist alongside contemporary media.

Diaspora and modern context: The Vietnamese diaspora is sizable, with large communities in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and other countries. Vietnamese communities contribute to education, business, and culture in their host nations while maintaining ties to Vietnam.