Following the success of Vietnam – The Image of the 54-Ethnic Community, first published in 2001, a new-improved edition is to be released on May 15.

Well accessorised: A portrait of a Co-tu elder in the expanded edition of the book. The Co-tu inhabit the Hien and Giang districts of Quang Nam Province and A Luoi and Nam Dong districts of Thua Thien-Hue.

The new 252-page collection of photographs on the life of different ethnic groups in Vietnam, published by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Publishing House, will include updated information in both Vietnamese and English. Its release will be accompanied by the publication of 25 new books dedicated to different ethnic groups in the country, including books on the Cham, the Muong and the Thai. The Bahna in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, the Mong in Vietnam and the Dao in Vietnam have already been released.

Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups, all with their own unique cultural features. Although ethnic minority people are among the nation’s poorest, many have seen recent development in their standards of living. Unfortunately, this can come hand in hand with a loss of traditional beliefs and customs.

Modernity is beginning to affect the lives of ethnic minorities, director of the VNA Publishing House Vu Quoc Khanh says. "Because of this, their traditional costumes, jewellery, costumes and festivals are beginning to change. That’s why we have to revise our book as soon as possible."

The book teaches both foreigners and Vietnamese people about the nation’s 54 ethnic groups, the director adds. "This encourages cultural promotions between Vietnam and other countries."

The book is a joint-effort between experts from the Vietnam Institute of Ethnology and photographers from the VNA and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.

The VNA Publishing House has racked up a number of prizes for previous photo collections, including the Golden Book for The Dao in Vietnam, an encouragement prize in the Beautiful Book Prize in 2007 for The Mong in Vietnam and the Vietnam Book Prize in 2006 for The Champa Sculpture. (VNS)