A boy takes care of the family's herd of water buffaloes while his parents are working on their field. Many children need to support their families rather than going to school. The highlands of northern Vietnam are home to diverse ethnic minorities. Rugged mountains and beautiful, but harsh landscapes are shaping the environment for the people living on the periphery of the state. Balancing between traditional livelihood and modern structures, this mainly resource-poor and low-income region provides a homeland for these groups, dwelling here since centuries.