I am just back from a trip through northern Thailand where we visited several different hill tribes. It was fascinating. I am interested in visiting hill tribes in other countries. I like groups that are still wearing their traditional clothing and practicing traditional ways -- not as tourist attractions but because they haven't been much visited by the outside world. I have been doing a little research and wondering if Vietnam, Myanmar, or somewhere else should be my focus. Suggestions please!

I believe the region of the world with the most DIFFERENT minority groups in the smallest area is in the western part of Yunan Province in China, as well as in the southwest Sizhuan and southeast Tibet. This area borders Myanmar, so you probably will find the same there too.

The reason is that three to 4 major river flows through this part of the world, within 20 miles of each other in very deep gorges. These rivers will then flow into Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Thailand, as the East China Sea in the Pacific. Yet, because of the deep gorges, transportation is extremely difficult to this day, and there's little interaction and commerce between the minority groups, keeping them distinct.

There should be at least two to three dozen minority groups in Yunnan along. Many of the members may have moved to Kumming or Dali and work the tourism money, but there are still plenty of them in their indigenous areas. I'd research about them.

From my history lesson a long ago - The Thai people as well as most of the hill tribes were originally from the area that is present day Southern China. It was not until the 12th or 13th century that the Thais and other tribes move south to present day Thailand(to escape from the Mongolian invasion).

I would suggest that Southern China will have a lot of the minority tribes still practicing their ways. On a recent golfing trip to Kumming I noticed a lot of Maos there and they were wearing their traditional dresses. You might want to research Souther China if you are interested

The hill tribes in Thailand are all Burmese.

Thanks for the thoughful replies! I will do some research. Any other suggestions out there? Is the area near Sapa in Vietnam very tourist-y?