MONG - MOOB

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The Mong (Moob) whose ancestral homeland was in China. Originally from Laos, the Mong became immigrants to the United States. When Laos fell to the Communists in 1975, the Mong in Laos were singled out for political persecutions and tortures due to their involvement in the U.S. Secret War in Laos and their association with the United States as part of the wider Vietnam War. Many Mong fled to Thailand to seek political asylum and escape a genocide from the Communists. The bulk of the Mong refugees were put into the cramped refugee camps, e.g. Nong Khai, Namphong, Ban Vinai, Soptoung, and Namyao from 1975 to 1996 when all the refugee camps in Thailand were closed.

This was the start of the Mong diaspora into the various countries in the West. Beginning in the late 1980s, many Mong refugees chose to resettle in a third country. The majority of them followed General Vang Pao to the United Sates. A smaller number went to France, French Guiana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Cuba, and Argentina. Several thousands who were not admissible to the third country went to Wat Thamkrabok, a Buddhist temple in the northeast of Thailand. In 2005, this last flow finally came to the United States for resettlement. Today, the population of Mong Americans has increased to 300,000 where the majority concentrates in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, respectively.

The purpose of this website is to share the rich history and culture of the Mong. More importantly, it is designed to promote the Mong language, preserve its culture, improve education, and enhance the social and economic status of the Mong Americans. We welcome your support and contribution to help make this site a great resource for teaching and learning. Thank you for visiting!