The Chut community lived in the mountains of Ha Tinh, where life was very difficult. They had old customs like giving birth near streams and marrying relatives, which made life harder.

Over 30 years, the government helped the Chut people, and they started to live in a better way. The community got support from soldiers, local leaders, and teachers, which helped them build a better future.

VietNamNet is telling the story of the Chut people's transformation, from old customs to a new way of life.

Part 1: Young Chut people are changing their old marriage customs.

The Chut people have painful memories.

Rao Tre Village is 80km from Ha Tinh, near the Laos border. The village has 46 families and 160 people. Life has changed, but old memories remain.

Village leader Ho Thi Kien said her ancestors lived in caves, hunted, and gathered food. They had old customs that shaped their lives.

In the 1990s, the government helped the Chut people move out of the caves and into Rao Tre. Soldiers and leaders helped them get healthcare, education, and new farming methods.

Kien saw many sad stories when old customs controlled people's lives.

In the past, people in the village didn't want to farm, and many were poor. They believed in spirits and rituals more than knowledge, which led to many tragedies.

One old custom was giving birth near streams. Women would go alone into the forest with no help, and sometimes they or their babies would die.

Kien was born in such circumstances.

Her mother gave birth six times near a stream, and three of the babies didn't survive. Many families in the village had similar experiences.

Ho Kham gave birth eight times near a stream, and four of her babies died. She had to bury them herself.

Even now, Ho Kham is sad when she remembers those times.

She said, 'I was alone in the forest, and it was very scary. Many women gave birth near streams and got sick or died.'

A military doctor said the Chut people's health was very bad, with many deaths and malnutrition. Old customs prevented them from getting modern healthcare.

The tragedy of marriage between relatives was another big problem.

Marriage between close relatives was common in the village, which caused many problems.

After living in isolation, people in the village mostly married within their families. This led to many children being born with health problems.

A former soldier said that even 10 years ago, marriage between relatives was still common in the village.

Many children were born weak or with disabilities, and some didn't survive.

One uncle and niece got married and had children, but they all died young.

The soldier said, 'We helped the family with the funerals, and it was very sad.'

Village leader Kien said that marriage between relatives was a big problem in the village for many years.

Kien's family also had marriages between relatives, which caused a lot of pain.

Kien said these marriages happened over and over, causing pain that is hard to talk about.

The custom of marriage between relatives continued until 2015, when a couple had a child with a disability.

The couple said they loved each other and didn't think about the consequences.

Changing old customs required a change in attitudes and connections with the outside world.

The government, soldiers, and local leaders helped the Chut people transform their lives.

The Chut people themselves decided to change their lives and choose a better future.

The old customs that hurt many people are slowly disappearing, and the community is making progress.

Dau Tinh