List of Hmong people

This is a list of some well-known Hmong individuals throughout the world. The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

Academics

  • Dia Cha, author, former professor and anthropologist, St. Cloud State University, Minnesota
  • Mai Na Lee, historian and University of Minnesota professor
  • Vang Pobzeb, PhD. Laos and Hmong Scholar; founder and past President of Lao Human Rights Council, Inc.
  • MayKao Yangblongsua Hang, DPA, Vice President and Founding Dean, Morrison Family College of Health, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. Sixth President and CEO, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. Former Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank Chair and Trustee of Allina Health Systems. Co-founder, Coalition of Asian American Leaders, MN.

Actors

Athletes

  • Long Qingquan, 龙清泉, Miao Olympian; won a gold medal in Men's 56 kg weightlifting for China in the 2008 Beijing Olympics[2]
  • Sunisa Lee, artistic gymnast, first Hmong-American to qualify for the US Olympic Team, 2020/2021 all-around Olympic gold medalist, and 2024 all-around Olympic Bronze Medalist
  • Xiong Chaozhong, Xiong Zhong Zhao, 熊朝忠, Miao (Hmong) light flyweight boxer of Wenshan, China[3]
  • Zou Shiming, 邹市明, the most successful amateur boxer from the People's Republic of China; won two world titles in 2005 and 2007 and the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the light flyweight (-48 kg) division[4][5]

Politicians

  • Cy Thao, Minnesota State Representative
  • Foung Hawj (侯祝福 | ຝົງ ເຮີ), pioneer Hmong-American broadcaster; media artist; Minnesota State Senator elected in 2012
  • Joe Bee Xiong, first Hmong American elected to public office in the state of Wisconsin, serving two terms as Eau Claire City councilman[6]
  • Lormong Lo, former Omaha City Councilman
  • Mai Vang, first Hmong elected to Sacramento City Council in 2020.
  • Mee Moua, Minnesota State Senator[7]
  • Noah Lor, first Hmong American to be elected Mayor Pro-Tempore in the City of Merced's history; elected as city councilman in Merced in 2007 and re-elected again in 2011[8]
  • Pa Kao Her, after the Secret War in Laos, Her fled to Thailand and organized a political movement to take back the country of Laos.
  • Pany Yathotou, the first Hmong woman to become the vice president of Laos and is currently serving alongside Bounthong Chitmany. She was the chairwoman and governor of the Bank of the Lao P.D.R from 1988 to 1997. She was also the President of the National Assembly of Laos from 2010 to 2021.
  • Sheng Thao, First Hmong Woman to serve on the Oakland City Council
  • Steve Ly, First Mayor in the United States of America of Hmong descent - Mayor of Elk Grove, California
  • Touby Lyfoung, Hmong politician in Laos, served in several ministries in the Royal Lao Government, and key adviser to the King. After the war, Lyfoung was captured and tortured to death by the Communist Pathet Lao.
  • Vuong Chinh Duc (1865 - 1947) ( RPA : Vaj Tsoov Loom ) was a H'Mong king ( also known as King Meo ) with his kingdom in Dong Van district, Ha Giang province, Vietnam

Artists

  • Cao Lu, idol singer of Korean group Fiestar[9]
  • Laolee Xiong, founder of The Vocal Network a cappella group and Techapella singing showcase[10]
  • Lexus ”Lexi” Vang, contestant of survival show A2K former member of American/Korean girl group VCHA, and current member of global girl group GIRLSET, both produced by JYP Entertainment
  • Luj Yaj, singer from Thailand
  • Pao Houa Her, photographer, first Hmong graduate of Yale University's Photography MFA program, 2023 Guggenheim Fellow, featured artist in the 2022 Whitney Biennial.
  • Payengxa Lor, the first Hmong woman to be crowned as Miss Universe Laos 2022 and was one of the Top 16 contestants in Miss Universe 2022.
  • Song Zuying, 宋祖英, ethnic Miao Chinese singer

Authors

  • Houa Vue Moua, author and community activist[11]
  • Ka Vang, writer
  • Kao Kalia Yang, Hmong American writer; author of The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir; her work has appeared in the Paj Ntaub Voice Hmong Literary Journal and numerous other publications
  • Mai Neng Moua, writer
  • Shen Congwen, 沈从文, Miao Chinese writer from the May Fourth Movement

Journalists

Religious leaders

  • Chervang Kong Vang, minister who established United Christians Liberty Evangelical Church, the first Hmong independent church organization, and also the creator of the Nyiakeng Puachue Hmong script.
  • Wang Zhiming, Miao pastor; memorialized above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey

Military leaders

Community leaders

  • Cherzong Vang, St. Paul Community Leader; Lao and Hmong veterans' leader, Lao Veterans of America
  • Wangyee Vang, President of Lao Veterans of America Institute; Lao and Hmong community veterans' leader

Entrepreneurs

Other notable people

References