The Hmong are a very diverse people and there are several subgroups found in East and Southeast Asia. Generally, there are four major groups recognized in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam which are the White Hmong (Hmoob Dawb), Hmong Leng/Green Hmong (Moob Leeg), Stripe Hmong (Hmoob Txaij Npab), and Black Hmong (Hmoob Dub). Though these are the primary recognized subgroups of Hmong, in other countries, such as China, there are even more subgroups. It is also important to note that these major subgroups are sometimes called by different names depending on the country of origin and who is identifying them. Essentially, these subgroups of Hmong help classify the type of traditional clothes that they wear but also the dialect that they speak.
White Hmong/Hmoob Dawb/Hmoob Dub
This style of clothing originates from the White Hmong from Xiengkhouang Province of Laos. Though they are considered White Hmong because of the dialect that they speak and the white/undecorated skirts that they wear, they are often referred to as "Hmoob Dub" or Black Hmong by other Hmong from different regions due to the dark pants and shirt that they wear.
White Hmong/Hmoob Nplooj Sev
These White Hmong distinguish themselves by the specific blue color of their apron called a "sev" (pronounced "shay") thus their name. They wear a variety of head wraps/hats such as this pom pom one and can be found in many provinces in Laos and Thailand. This specific style in combination with the hat is originally from the Luang Prabang Province of Laos.
Stripe Hmong/Hmoob Txaij Npab
The Stripe Hmong are also White Hmong but distinguish themselves by their unique clothing: specifically the colorful stripes on their arms. In the Hmong language, "txaij" (pronounced "tzai") means striped and the word "npab" (pronounced "bah") means arm thus these Hmong are called the "Hmoob Txaij Npab" or Hmong with striped arms. This style of traditional clothing is originally from the Xam Neua Province of Laos.
Hmong Leng/Green Hmong/Moob Leeg
The Hmong Leng are incredibly diverse and each group from each region of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam have their own unique style of outfit despite having some similar characteristics. They are sometimes referred to as Green Hmong because of their colored skirts which are traditionally hand-dyed with natural indigo.
Black Hmong/Hmoob Dub
The Black Hmong are found in both Eastern Laos and bordering Vietnam. They get their name, Black Hmong, from the darkness of their clothes which resemble the color black but are actually several layers of indigo. Their dialect is perhaps the most different from the other subgroups (White Hmong and Hmong Leng).
