Create Something! Part 1.2 - Hmong History Timeline in Indochina

This timeline of Hmong in Southeast Asia will overlap each other due to the various events that occurred in each country.

1800AD - 1900AD:

It is believed that by 1810-1820, Hmong started residing in northern Laos. By 1868, 10,000 Hmong were reported to be living in Tongkin, northern Vietnam. In 1880, it was reported that there were Hmong residing in Nan Province of Thailand.

From 1848 and onwards, many Hmong moved southwards in hopes of entering the opium trade with the French and British governments.

Laos: First war with French colonists

In 1896, the Hmong in Nong Het revolted against the French government due to their heavy taxations. This revolt was successful because the French then gave Moua Chong Kai the position of kiatong (canton chief). He became the first Hmong kiatong of Laos.

1900AD - 1940AD:

Laos: Madman’s War

From 1918-1922, there was a war known as the Madman’s War (Rog Vwm/Rog Phim Npab). This was a war between the Hmong and the French due to colonization and increased taxes and opium that were to be paid to the French. Pa Chay Vue (Paj Cai Vwj) is said to have gained godly powers to help the Hmong regain their freedom from oppressors such as the French colonists. He gained many followers and created a Hmong writing system. Thus, he became known as the long-awaited Hmong “messiah”.

With Pa Chay’s influence, he convinced his followers that they could overthrow the French colonists due to their heavy taxations. There were two sides to this war: the Hmong Nationalists who supported Pa Chay and the Hmong who sided with the French. The Hmong Nationalists were self-sustained because they used their own Hmong weapons: the Hmong flintlocks and Hmong cannon. The Hmong Nationalists were victorious with each battle due to their knowledge of the jungles; thus using a form of guerilla tactics. The Hmong cannon however was much more fearful. It weighed 200lbs and sprays metal shards at the French Army.

The French were also at a slight disadvantage because they were also engaged in World War I. Thus, only half of their army was French, the rest were minorities from Vietnam etc. The French army lost their morale and rumors rose saying that Pa Chay and his Hmong Nationalist army was protected by magic.

Towards the end of WWI, the French army regained their strength in numbers and weapons, thus overpowering the Hmong Nationalists. Lo Bliayao (Kiab Toom Npliaj Yob) informed the French that the only way to defeat the Hmong Nationalists would be to attack them when it’s monsoon season. That way, their gunpowder used for the flintlocks would not work. The Hmong then started to lose their battles.

The French then decided that they needed to execute Pa Chay to be able to control the Hmong Nationalists. They hired Khmu mercenaries (due to their conflict with the Hmong) and a few Hmong Nationalist soldiers to assassinate Pa Chay. These assassinators were close to Pa Chay but betrayed him. In the year 1922 Pa Chay and his child who he was carrying on his back were shot and killed. His head was cut off to prove his death.

Many Hmong Nationalists of Pa Chay were executed afterwards. The French army also searched for Pa Chay’s family to be punished.

Pa Chay’s revolt strengthened the relationship between Pro-French Hmong leaders and the French. In addition, a military squadron was created by the Vietnamese and Laotian government in honor of Pa Chay. This was called Kong Pang Pa Chai (Koos Phaas Paj Cai).  This military squadron would later be used during the Vietnam War to recruit the Hmong to join the communist side and was later used to fight against the Hmong rebellion groups (caub fab) in Laos.

Laos: Hmong leaders and French Colonists

Kiatong Lo Bliayao

Photo courtesy of http://www.lo-phasociety.org/projects/

Lo Bliayao (Npliajyob Lauj) was made the kiatong of Nong Het in 1926 due to his service to the French in helping them defeat Pa Chay Vue and his nationalist army. Kiatong Bliayao became known as a puppet leader for the French and started to exploit the Hmong. The Hmong eventually started to resent Kiatong Bliayao because while he was prospering of of their money, the Hmong were struggling to pay the heavy taxes for the French. Kiatong Bliayao’s passed away in 1935. His death would create a power struggle between two opposing sides: the Lo family and the Lyfoung family.

During the Madman’s War, Kiatong Bliayao faced a few assassination attempts from Shong Ger, who sided with Pa Chay Vue. Although Kiatong Bliayao and Shong Ger were uncle and nephew, they had a deep enmity between each other revolving politics, money, and marriage. Shong Ger and his followers failed at the assassination of Kiatong Bliayao, thus forcing them to go into hiding. Kiatong Bliayao then tried to find them again, promising that they wouldn’t be killed if they surrendered. Shong Ger and his followers surrendered but were still executed publicly by the French while Shong Ger was supposedly poisoned by Kiatong Bliayao. This action of public execution was apparently a way for the French to secure their power, saying that any opposition will result in death. Despite Kiatong Bliayao’s alleged corruption, he has become an important figure in Hmong history for creating relations with French colonials. He is respected by many in the Hmong community for his leadership.

A year after Kiatong Bliayao’s death in 1935, Ly Xia Foung took Bliayao’s position, labeling the position as tasseng (toj xeem/village chief). Before taking this position however, there was a deep conflict between Kiatong Bliayao and Ly Xia Foung. Kiatong Bliayao disapproved of Ly Xia Foung’s marriage with his daughter Mai. In 1926, Ly Xia Foung was imprisoned by Kiatong Bliayao for a short period of time. His literacy allowed him to research French colonial rules, thus resulting in the release of his imprisonment. In 1939, Ly Xia Foung passed away and his position was given to his son, Touby Lyfoung.

Touby Lyfoung - a Hmong politician and military leader in Laos. He is better known as Phagna Lyfoung and is Ly Xia Foung’s son. Thus, making him Kiatong Bliayao’s grandson. 
Photo courtesy of http://hmonglessons.com

In 1939, Touby Lyfoung built the first village school for Hmong and other minorities. Thus, showing his advocacy for education. Touby Lyfoung and Faydang Lo, son of Kiatong Bliayao later fought for the tasseng position in Keng Khoai. Faydang Lo supposedly went to Prince Phetsarath for support. However, the French decided that a democratic election would be held for the tasseng position. Touby Lyfoung won the election in 1940 (some sources say that he became tasseng in 1939), thus occupying most of Nong Het. There is a rumour that Touby Lyfoung won because of he received an education in Laos and was on better terms with the French colonials.

Vietnam: Hmong King

Vuong Chinh Duc (Vaj Zoov Looj) was a Hmong leader in Vietnam. The Hmong-Vietnamese consider him to be their King. Vuong Chinh Duc rebelled against the French colonials from 1909 to 1913 due to inequitable policies. In October of 1913, a French-Hmong agreement was

signed in Dong Van.

During the time of the Madman’s War, 1918, Vuong Chinh Duc once again revolted against the French colonials due to their severe rule. Vuong Chinh Duc was arrested in 1921 and sent to the Hoa La prison in Ha Noi.

By 1924, there were many Hmong movements that appeared opposing Vuong Chinh Duc’s arrest. Thus, he was released from prison.  

In 1936, another group of Hmong in Dong Van attacked the French but their attempt failed. Vuong Chinh Duc was once again arrested in 1938. Vuong Chinh Duc was rescued by his son, Vuong Chi Sinh (Vaj Txiaj Lwm).

Unfortunately I lacked sources in the English language about Vuong Chinh Duc. There were more articles and sources about him but it was in Vietnamese, thus causing a language barrier for me. Despite this barrier, it is clear that Vuong Chinh Duc played a major role for the Hmong living in Vietnam. His power and influence is said to have gained the attention of Ho Chi Minh. In addition, his palace in Dong Van became a major historical site along with his legacy. The palace took 8 years to be built and was built by 200 skilled construction workers from China, costing 150,000 silver coins, equivalent of 7.5 million USD based on today’s foreign-exchange rate. Vuong Chinh Duc passed away in 1947.

1940AD - 1960AD:

Laos: Japanese in Indochina

From 1940 to 1945, the Japanese took over Indochina. This would result in more power struggle between Touby Lyfong and Faydang Lo. The Japanese recognized Touby Lyfoung as the leader but would eventually side with Faydang Lo, who was feeling resentment towards the French for casting his leadership aside.

With the Japanese in power, the French had to go into hiding. This would involve Touby Lyfoung as he was forced to hide the French since he worked under them. Faydang Lo used the Japanese to overthrow Touby Lyfong. Faydang Lo reported to the Japanese that Touby Lyfoung was attempting a rebellion with the French colonials. Thus, Touby Lyfoung went into hiding in the jungles. It was during Touby Lyfoung’s hiding that 14 year old Vang Pao assisted Touby, reporting Japanese movement to him. The Faydang’s Lo clan informed the Japanese of where Touby’s family was hiding, thus the Japanese attempted to capture Touby Lyfoung but Touby and his family were notified ahead of hand by their bodyguards. Thus, the Japanese only found women who were working in the fields and raped them, thinking that the women were a part of the Ly family. It was only the next morning that they realized they victimized the wrong crowd of people.

The Japanese left Indochina by 1945 after the Anti-Japanese Resistance (Hmong Maquis/rural guerrilla forces) led by Touby Lyfougn in Xieng Khouang Province. By November of that very same year, Faydang Lo got into contact with Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh army that opposed French colonials. The French reoccupied Indochina. The Lao Issara (led by Prince Phetsarath) movement rose to kick the French out of Laos. Touby Lyfong and his followers were used by the French colonials to fight against the Lao Issara. On November 10th, 1946, the Lao Issara placed King Sisavang Vong under house arrest for strongly supporting the French. It was Touby Lyfoung who then sent 600 men, led by Toulia Lyfoung to Luang Prabang to recapture the city and were also able to rescue King Sisavang, thus giving a name to the Hmong who have long been marginalized in Laos.

Hmong Maquis

Photo courtesy of http://www.unforgettable-laos.com/historical-of-events/part-1/.

In 1947, Faydang Lo joined the Lao Issara and Vietminh; and, made connections with Prince Soupahnouvong to oppose the French colonials and Touby Lyfoung. Also during 1947, the Hmong were finally recognized as Lao citizens. The fight between Faydang Lo and Touby Lyfoung would continue with both of them attaining political power.

In 1949, Prince Souphanavoung Phouma and Prince Phetsarath would then split off from Lao Issara to Neo Lao Issara, the future Pathet Lao. Faydang was made minister in the Pathet Lao’s First Resistance Congress while the French gave Touby the position of Hmong district governor in Xieng Khouang province. From 1950 to 1955, Lieutenant Vang Chong and his Hmong troops secured the area around Nam Bark against the Viet Minh. Meanwhile, Vang Pao was beginning his military career at the French Military Academy at Dong Het. By 1954 however, Laos gained full independence from France.

Some time during the 1950s to 1960s, Touby Lyfoung was appointed as Minister to the King, hence his title of Phagna.  Vang Pao was promoted to Captain in 1958 and Major in 1959. On the other hand, Phagna Touby Lyfoung served as the Vice President of the National Assembly in 1959; and as the Minister of Justice and Social Welfare in 1960.

Vietnam: Hmong leaders and French/Japanese Indochina

In 1945, Vuong Chi Cinh supported Ho Chi Minh’s nationalists to defeat the French colonials. After defeating the French, Vuong Chi Cinh declared the Hmong in Ha Giang to be self governed; and authority over Yen Minh and Dong Van. Vuong Chi Cinh expected Ho Chi Minh to refuse this declaration but was actually approved of, resulting in Vuong Chi Cinh to become the spokesperson for the Hmong in Vietnam.

Thailand: Opium trade

While opium was still heavily used as a source of income, Thailand actually banned the cultivation of opium by Hmong and other minority groups in 1958, thus beginning programs that would repair the damages done to land used for opium cultivation. However, local officials were still able to cultivate opium, thus some Hmong households were still able to cultivate opium for a source of income.

Authors note:

I'd like to point out that part 1.2 of my timeline seems to be very biased, only telling the side of the Hmong that supported the French colonials and Royal Lao Government. This is due to the sources that I were able to find. I acknowledge that Kiatong Bliayao and his son Faydang were smart politicians in the Hmong community even if they weren’t what would be considered as virtuous. Though both of them appear to be power hungry and corrupt, they were smart enough to use their power and influence to come into their favor. The purpose of this history timeline is to reveal the history behind the Hmong, not to formulate my own opinions. Thus, while Touby Lyfoung is portrayed as a saint and the Lo family as corrupted, I did not intend for this topic to voice my opinion about these leaders.

In addition to sources that only portrayed one side of the argument, I also came across a lot of sources in a different language (for Vuong Chinh Duc and Vuong Chi Cinh). Since I cannot read the Vietnamese language, it was hard for me to research more about the leaders in Vietnam, limiting me to very brief information.

Part 1.3 of my historical timeline will include information from the 1960’s and onwards, starting with the Secret War in Laos/Vietnam.