Tho People

The Thổ ethnic group (also Keo, Mon, Cuoi, Ho, Tay Poong) inhabits the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam, mainly Nghệ An Province southwest of Hanoi. Many Thổ speak the Tho language, which is closely related to Vietnamese. The Thổ population numbered 91,430 in 2019.

The Thổ are one of the 4 main groups of Vietic speakers in Vietnam, the others being the Việt, Mường, and Chứt. The name Thổ, which means “autochthonous” was originally applied to the Tày ethnic group, however this usage is obsolete.