The Teochew community (or "Teochew") occupies a unique place in the migratory and cultural history of Southeast Asia — and, by extension, in the Asian diaspora in Europe. They are Han Chinese originating from the Chaoshan region (Guangdong province, China), a portion of whom have settled in Cambodia and then France over several generations.
At TEVOA, a premium concept store for Cambodian designers, this story resonates particularly well: co-founded by Romain Tran, of Cambodian Teochew origin, TEVOA embodies the meeting of mixed cultures, heritage and contemporary creation.
This article explores:
- "What are the Teochew?" : origin, language, identity.
- Their presence and role in Cambodia.
- Their establishment in France.
- Why this topic is relevant to TEVOA.
What are Teochews?
The term "Teochew" (潮州人 — Cháozhōu rén in Mandarin) refers to a Han Chinese ethnic group originating from the Chaoshan region in eastern Guangdong.
Here are some characteristics:
- Language: The Teochew dialect (or "Tiê-chiu uē") belongs to the Min (Nán) group and is spoken abroad, particularly in Southeast Asia.
- Diaspora: The Teochew people live mainly in China, but also abroad in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) and in Western countries such as France.
- Reputation for migration: Like many Chinese diasporas, the Teochew are known for their ability to create business networks abroad.
In this context, when we talk about "Cambodian Teochew," we mean a person of Teochew descent (through migration or the Chinese diaspora in Cambodia) and often integrated into Cambodian society.
The Teochews in Cambodia
Origins and establishment
The Chinese community in Cambodia, often called "Sino-Khmer," includes several dialectal subgroups (Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, etc.). Among them, the Teochew constitute the majority .
This means that a large proportion of the Chinese people of origin in Cambodia are descendants of Teochew migrants. An association dedicated to them exists in Phnom Penh: Association of Chinese Teo Chew in Cambodia (Ang Hassakan, St 144, Phnom Penh).
Activities and socio-economic role
The Teochew people in Cambodia have long been active in commerce, import-export, and small family businesses. According to Wikipedia:
"The Teochew people are the largest ethnic Chinese group in Cambodia..."
They therefore played an important role in the Cambodian economy, while also ensuring a cultural presence through community associations (temples, clans, etc.).
Challenges and Memory
The community has also experienced difficult periods, including persecution during the Khmer Rouge regime and stigmatization related to the image of recent Chinese migrants.
This may have impacted language transmission, cultural visibility, or socio-cultural integration.
Meaning for TEVOA
For TEVOA, the Teochew dimension of its co-founder Romain TRAN creates a direct link with this diasporic and cultural history. This gives legitimacy to exploring and promoting this heritage — not only Cambodian, but also Sino-Khmer, Teochew & mixed-race.
The Teochew in France
Migration history
In France, the Chinese community of Indochinese origin (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos) includes Teochew as one of its important components. The Teochew dialect was historically one of the most spoken within these communities.
This migration intensified after the conflicts in Southeast Asia (Vietnam War, Khmer Rouge regime): Teochew-Cambodian refugees found refuge in France.
Community and culture
Teochew associations in France, such as the Amicale des Teochew de France or the Jeunes Teochew de France , which organize cultural events and promote the language, face a challenge in transmitting it between generations. The Teochew dialect, like other diaspora languages, tends to lose ground to Mandarin or French.
Each of these elements can provide rich material to tell a story: identity, dual belonging, cultural heritage.
Teochew Entrepreneurship in France
The settlement of Teochew people in France is particularly illustrated by the rise of veritable commercial dynasties. Two emblematic examples are Tang Frères (founded by a Teochew family originally from Laos) and Paris Store (developed by a Teochew family of Cambodian origin). Their success has profoundly shaped the landscape of Asian food distribution in France: creation of networks, importation of products from Asia, structuring of supply chains, and professionalization of commerce.
Beyond the economy, these businesses have played a major cultural role: they have allowed generations from diasporas to have access to products from their childhood and have helped to familiarize the general public with Asian cuisines and cultures. This entrepreneurial tradition, often family-based, community-based and transnational, is now an integral part of the Teochew heritage in France.
Why this topic is relevant to TEVOA
At TEVOA , highlighting cultural heritage is not just about storytelling—it's a reality deeply rooted in the identity of our creative ecosystem. Many of our creators come from Teochew families themselves, carrying with them stories of transmission, diaspora, and cultural mixing.
This is the case with Romain Tran , co-founder of TEVOA, of Cambodian Teochew origin. But also with Thorng Chhin , founder of Chhin Jewelry . Or Tifanny Bophadavy Doche , creator of Revivre Studio , who reinterprets Cambodian elegance through a sensibility that blends heritage, exile and rebirth, and a latest collection where she was inspired by her Teochew heritage.
Exploring the Teochew community in Cambodia and France also means understanding the soul of several creators we represent , and offering our audience a deeper understanding of the inspirations, values, and stories that shape their work.
This cultural dimension reinforces TEVOA 's uniqueness: a living bridge between heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary creation .
Conclusion
The Teochew community, both in Cambodia and France, is a remarkable common thread: rooted in China, integrated into Cambodia, and present in France. For TEVOA —a premium concept store embodying Cambodian and diasporic cultural mixing—this is a strategic dimension: identity, storytelling, brand value. By exploring and sharing this heritage, TEVOA can strengthen its uniqueness, reach an international audience seeking authenticity, and enrich its creative universe.