The Mien originated in Southern China, and of all the hill-tribes, the Mien have the strongest links with Chinese culture.

Although most Mien in Thailand can no longer read Chinese, there are still many similarities between Mien language and the Chinese Han language. Elements of Chinese dress are also evident in Mien traditional clothes.

Most Mien practice a form of Spirit Worship that has been assimilated with Chinese Taoism and much of their belief system is recorded on ancient religious scripts. Many Mien stories and myths, and other historical records have also been recorded in Chinese.

The Mien use the same calendar system as the Chinese, and many festivals, including their New Year’s celebrations, fall on the same dates.

In Mien families the man is considered the head of the household. Land is usually communally owned, and the crops belong to whoever has worked the ground. The entire family works together, and while men do most of the hard labour in the fields, women are responsible for raising pigs and chickens, tending the garden, looking after the children, preparing food and other household chores.