Vietnam's fifty-four different ethnic groups are increasingly engaged in the outside world, and concepts of multiculturalism within the country have tremendous importance. The historical view of Vietnam as either Kinh or Cham in precedence (Mus, Parmentier, Aymonier) leaves out many of the details of its rich cultural heritage (Hickey). The Kinh, the largest ethnic group in Vietnam, consists of nearly ninety percent of the country's population. The Cham, or Champas, was a civilization in central and southern Vietnam from the 7th century to the mid-1800's. The ruling Communist Party has taken notice of the immense economic and political value of embracing this diversity after years of emphasis on a common Red River centered Vietnam localization of its Sinic heritage. The new multi-cultural policies provide the means for foreign and domestic tourists to have meaningful educational experiences, and Vietnamese citizens with both foreign and domestic markets for their products. Also, it allows the country to move beyond its war tarnished legacy. Previous Vietnamese regimes legitimized themselves using the Cham culture of southern Vietnam or the Northern Sinic influenced culture.