The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

Hmong are also one of the sub-groups of the Miao ethnicity in southern China.

Hmong groups begin a gradual southward migration in the 18th century due to political unrest and to find more arable land.

Hmong are rich in culture, art and family and are distinguished by costume/dress (fabric patterns represent fruit, vegetables, farming, chickens, eggs, etc.)

The United States recruits a number of Hmong people to help fight against the communist Pathet Lao, known as the secret war, during the Laotian Civil War.

Hmong people are singled out for retribution when the Pathet Lao takes over the Laotian government in 1975, and tens of thousands flee to Thailand seeking political asylum.

Thousands of these refugees have resettled in Western countries since the late 1970s, mostly the United States, but also in Australia, France, French Guiana, Canada, and South America.

Others have returned to Laos under United Nations-sponsored repatriation programs.