The Khmu were the indigenous inhabitants of northern Laos. In Laos, the Khmu form the second largest ethnic group. Only the Lao population is larger. The Khmu are found mainly in Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, and Xieng Khouang provinces, but some Khmu also live in Vientiane, Sayaboury, Bokeo and Borikhamxay, Sayabury provinces. In Thailand, Khmu are found in the northern provinces of Chiang Rai, Lampang and Nan, near the Thailand-Laos border