Setting great store by family and ancestry has long been a Vietnamese tradition. As a result, inheritance has been one of the fundamental institutions of such codes as the Hong Duc Code (the 15th century) and the Gia Long Code (the 19th century) during the feudal time, the Tonkin Civil Code (1931) and the Central Vietnam Civil Code (1936) during the French rule.

Being among the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, the Lao ethnos has enriched the multi-national culture of Vietnam with its own identity.

With a population of nearly 11,000 Xinh Mun ethnic group resides along Vietnam-Lao border in Lai Chau and Son La provinces of Vietnam as well as in Central and Upper Laos.

With a population of nearly 38,000 (according to the 1989 census figures), the Giay ethnic minority resides largely in the provinces of Lao Cai , Yen Bai, Ha Giang and Lai Chau as well as the Bao Lac district of Cao Bang province.

With a population of nearly 11,000, Xinh Mun ethnic group resides along Vietnam-Lao border in Lai Chau and Son La provinces of Vietnam as well as in Central and Upper Laos.

With a population of nearly 38,000, the Giay ethnic minority resides largely in the provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang and Lai Chau as well as Bao Lac district of Cao Bang province.