Montagnard is an umbrella term for the various indigenous peoples of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The French term "Montagnard" signifies a mountain dweller, and is a carryover from the French colonial period in Vietnam. In Vietnamese, they are known by the term người Thượng, although this term can also be applied to other minority ethnic groups in Vietnam. In modern Vietnam, both terms are archaic, and indigenous ethnic groups are referred to as Đồng bào or Người dân tộc thiểu số. Earlier they were referred to pejoratively as the mọi. Sometimes the term Degar is used for the group as well. Most of those living in America refer to themselves as Montagnards, while those living in Vietnam refer to themselves by their individual ethnic group.
