Chu May Project
Founded in July 2022, the Chữ Mây Project is dedicated to organizing library donations and fostering cultural development in the northern mountainous regions of Vietnam. The project's primary focus is on the H’Mong ethnic community—one of the most renowned yet underserved minority groups with limited access to modern society.
The mission of Chữ Mây is to organize book donation trips and establish libraries in remote schools across Hà Giang, providing educational resources for H’Mong students. Notably, Chữ Mây Project is also the pioneer in publishing a cultural compendium about Vietnam’s Northern Delta in three languages: Vietnamese, H’Mong, and English.
The mission of Chữ Mây is to organize book donation trips and establish libraries in remote schools across Hà Giang, providing educational resources for H’Mong students. Notably, Chữ Mây Project is also the pioneer in publishing a cultural compendium about Vietnam’s Northern Delta in three languages: Vietnamese, H’Mong, and English.
CHU MAY PROJECT - From the voices of Northern culture to the letters of cloudy mountains.
- OUR STORY
It all began as a faint spark during a family trip to Hà Giang when I had just started secondary school. At first, I treated it as an aimless journey, a chance to relax and lose myself in the curves of Hà Giang’s mountain passes. The purpose of the trip - our family’s mission to donate supplies - barely crossed my mind. But that changed the moment I noticed a group of H’Mong children sitting on the pavement by the roadside.
They were children just like me - innocent and wide-eyed - but with muddier clothes and a natural simplicity. They struggled to pronounce Vietnamese as they greeted our packed coach, their smiles earnest and unguarded. That was when I truly saw the stark contrast between their world and mine. It wasn’t just the lush mountains, the fresh air, or the sparse roads that set Hà Giang apart from the bustling city I called home. It was the people - the resilient and vibrant H’Mong community.
From that moment, the vivid impression of Hà Giang and its people carved itself into my memory. It kindled a lifelong fascination with mountainous cultures and, more importantly, a profound respect for the H’Mong way of life.
From that moment, the vivid impression of Hà Giang and its people carved itself into my memory. It kindled a lifelong fascination with mountainous cultures and, more importantly, a profound respect for the H’Mong way of life.
- THE BEGINNING OF CHU MAY
Growing up, keeping the whole-hearted passion for culture and the novel love of media, I have worked and discovered diligently on the life of the H'Mong community, dwelling deeper into the invisible gap between ethnicity and gradually building up a passion for culture and ethical embracing. That’s how I crafted “Chu May” - the letters harvested from the high clouds of deserted Ha Giang.
The Chu May Project began with a burning mission: to fundraise books and build private libraries for schools across Ha Giang, creating better educational opportunities for H’Mong children.
The Chu May Project began with a burning mission: to fundraise books and build private libraries for schools across Ha Giang, creating better educational opportunities for H’Mong children.
- OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
What makes Chu May different from other charitable organizations is our dedication to publishing materials in the H’Mong language.
I realized that most donated resources provided to H’Mong children were written exclusively in Vietnamese. This raised a critical question in my mind: “Are we truly helping these children access knowledge, or are we forcing them to navigate it on terms that aren’t their own?” The question became even more pressing as I witnessed young H’Mong children struggling to learn Vietnamese before they could even master their mother tongue.
This realization inspired a new vision: instead of expecting the H’Mong community to adapt to us, why not embrace their identity and support their growth on their terms?
This vision gave birth to Mông Publication - a trilingual cultural resource written in H’Mong, Vietnamese, and English. It is designed to introduce H’Mong children to the rich cultures of regions they may never have visited while preserving and celebrating their linguistic heritage.
Now, Chu May Project is a book fundraiser, a library builder and a H’Mong publication publisher.
I realized that most donated resources provided to H’Mong children were written exclusively in Vietnamese. This raised a critical question in my mind: “Are we truly helping these children access knowledge, or are we forcing them to navigate it on terms that aren’t their own?” The question became even more pressing as I witnessed young H’Mong children struggling to learn Vietnamese before they could even master their mother tongue.
This realization inspired a new vision: instead of expecting the H’Mong community to adapt to us, why not embrace their identity and support their growth on their terms?
This vision gave birth to Mông Publication - a trilingual cultural resource written in H’Mong, Vietnamese, and English. It is designed to introduce H’Mong children to the rich cultures of regions they may never have visited while preserving and celebrating their linguistic heritage.
Now, Chu May Project is a book fundraiser, a library builder and a H’Mong publication publisher.
- OUR LASTING IMPACT
- - Building 3 libraries in Ha Giang over 4 years of operating:
- 1st library in Lang Chu village, Lung Ho commune, Yen Minh district, Ha Giang.
- 2nd library in Tia Cu Si, Giang Chu Phin commune, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang
- 3rd library in Hua Tat village, Van Ho commune, Moc Chau district, Son La.
- - Fundraise a total of 2,000 books and 40,000,000 VND of scholarship fees for H’Mong children in 4 years.
- - Publish the first-ever trilingual cultural publication written in Vietnamese, H’Mong and English.
OUR GALLERY
- The Mong Publication
The Mông Publication is a heartfelt creation that embodies my passion for the intersection of culture and media. It serves as a pragmatic initiative to bridge the gap between ethnic communities within my country. With the support of nearly 50 dedicated high school students from my area, a collaboration with Mông language specialist Ms. Thào Thị Xí and guidance from advisors specializing in ethnography, Asian culture, and media, the Mông Publication has successfully been brought to life.
Focusing on the rich cultural heritage of the Northern Delta region, the publication explores diverse multi-perspectives such as traditional costumes, cuisine to even festivals and rituals. Each cultural aspect is presented in an accessible and engaging manner—through simplified language, vivid illustrations, and authentic photographs—to provide H’Mông children with the optimal conditions to absorb new knowledge.
The content is thoughtfully divided into two primary languages: Vietnamese and H’Mông, ensuring accessibility for the target audience. Additionally, English is incorporated to a lesser extent, expanding the publication’s reach while maintaining its focus on cultural preservation and education.
The content is thoughtfully divided into two primary languages: Vietnamese and H’Mông, ensuring accessibility for the target audience. Additionally, English is incorporated to a lesser extent, expanding the publication’s reach while maintaining its focus on cultural preservation and education.
- Recapping materials
Diligently working for 4 years with the dusty winds of Ha Giang mountain, Chữ Mây Project has captured more than just images of our community service or the natural beauty of the H’Mong ethnics. All of these valuable moments have been transformed into a core memory of our organization - an unchangeable value of us for the community.
