Cultural Changes of the Ruc Community in Minh Hoa District, Quang Bình Province, Vietnam

The Ruc people are one of the local groups belonging to the Chut ethnic minority, residing in the mountainous region of western Qu?ng Bình province, Vietnam. In 1959, they were discovered living in caves deep in the forest, subsisting through hunting and gathering. After this discovery, the local authorities relocated the Ruc people to settled villages in Th??ng Hóa commune, Minh Hóa district, Qu?ng Bình province. Since then, the Ruc have undergone significant transformations in their economic, cultural, and social life. The trend of cultural change in recent years among the Ruc has encompassed both positive and negative aspects. Therefore, studying and understanding their cultural heritage, while also grasping the inevitable trends of the era, is essential and urgent to promote positive aspects and mitigate negative ones during the cultural transformation of ethnic minorities in this area. This article is based on in-depth interviews and participant observation conducted within the community through fieldwork. It focuses on clarifying the cultural transformation process of the Ruc community and discusses the factors influencing this change. To ensure that the Ruc integrate without losing their ethnic identity, the article offers several recommendations aimed at sustainable development for the community.