The Yao are an indigenous ethnic group in China, practicing lowland agriculture. Due to economic and political factors, the ethnic group gradually migrated southwards from central and south China to the northern regions of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. The ethnic economic system has changed to highland crop rotation practices, cultivating cash crops, such as opium and tobacco, as well as other crops for sale or barter in exchange for other raw materials not produced locally, for instance iron, silverware or salt.
The Yao, Mien and Mun Yao believe in Taoism and indigenous beliefs about supernatural powers. Taoism is not only a religion but also a guideline for their lifestyle and social orders, based on the clan system which is significant to marriage, social relationships and to their unique ethnic identity. Political situations in Southeast Asia in the past three decades obliged some of the ethnic group to migrate to the Unites States of America, France and Canada. However, certain cultural aspects of the ethnic identity have still been maintained while others have adjusted to suit local socio-economic and cultural conditions.