Cham, Eastern in Vietnam

Introduction / History

The Eastern Cham people are a Malayo-Polynesian ethnic group, one branch of the Cham minority group in Vietnam. As one of the most ancient ethnic groups in Southeast Asia, the Eastern Cham people have a very deep and interesting history.

As a small minority group now overrun with poverty and persecution, one must remember that the Eastern Cham people's kingdom once reigned in Southeast Asia.

The Eastern Cham live in the provinces along the coastline of southern Vietnam, and their villages are spread out in the coastal and Mekong Delta provinces.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They are mainly agricultural producing rice, corn and cotton. The Eastern Cham also trade fish, shrimp, and other nautical goods, as well as weavings and other artistic products. Many of the Eastern Cham celebrate religious holidays surrounding their long-standing history. The celebrations are usually held at their historic temples.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The lack of Christianity and the ability to evangelize among the Eastern Cham people is mostly due to their practice of different religions. A good percentage of the Eastern Cham people practice Hinduism or some form of it. Many follow Brahmanism, a sect

What Are Their Needs?

The Eastern Cham people have many economic and political needs. They are still considered to be a minority in Vietnam and are looked down upon. Because of this discrimination, the Eastern Cham people have a very low self-esteem and self-worth as individua

Prayer Points

Prayer is needed for the local government authorities who interfere with the gospel.
Pray for the Eastern Cham to be open to hearing the gospel and let go of their traditions that hold them to idol worship, animism and other religions.
Pray for the healthcare and education needs among the Eastern Cham people.
Pray for spiritual victory in territories in the Eastern Cham regions of Vietnam. The Eastern Cham are known to dedicate their babies to the spirits at the local temples.
Pray for the ethnic and cultural animosity in Vietnam to be broken down. Especially pray for the Vietnamese Christians to see their opportunity to evangelize to the Eastern Cham.
Pray for God to raise up Cham Christian leaders. May the Lord provide proper training and church partnerships so that churches can be planted in the villages.

Text Source:   Joshua Project