Although, like the other tribes, generally poor, some families and villages have become relatively wealthy in the last decade. Some build the more expensive and comfortable Thai style houses, but in general the Hmong have retained their traditional way of life. There have been few converts to Christianity or Buddhism amongst the Hmong. They are strict animists, whose shamans use dramatic methods to contact the spirits. Every house has an altar of a piece of paper covered in cock s feathers affixed with chicken blood.
Hmong culture is strong and solid and Hmong people generally very proud and capable.