The “Minh Hương” of Vietnam: A Perspective of the Change in Ethnic Identity of the Chinese Diaspora in Vietnam

Abstract The major purpose of this paper is to analyze the integration phenomenon of the Chinese diaspora from the perspective of integration policies adopted by Vietnam’s regimes through the ages, which can also be referred to as “assimilation.” The “Minh Hương” are seen as the result of the Vietnamese authorities’ assimilation policy toward the Chinese diaspora in Vietnam and parts of the Chinese diaspora’s decision to integrate into the host society. Thereby, the problem of the “Minh Hương” in Vietnam has reflected the change in ethnic identity of the Chinese diaspora. Thus, the article aims to answer the main research question: how have the Minh Hương expressed their ethnic identity throughout history?