The Ngái are a small ethnic community in Vietnam with ancestral roots in southern China. They are primarily known for speaking Hakka, a Chinese language belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family.
Over generations, the Ngái have developed their own cultural identity while maintaining connections to their Chinese heritage. In Vietnam, they are officially recognized as a separate ethnic group from the Hoa, who are generally associated with the country’s overseas Chinese communities.
According to Vietnamese census data, the Ngái population was 4,841 in 1999, declined to 1,035 in 2009, and reached 1,649 in 2019. Despite their small population, the community remains an important part of Vietnam’s ethnic diversity.
Their Hakka language and cultural traditions reflect the historical connections between Vietnam and southern China. Preserving these traditions is important for maintaining the Ngái community’s distinctive identity for future generations.