The Dong; a Kam-Sui people of southern China; are one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. They are famed for their native-bred Kam Sweet Rice; carpentry skills; and unique architecture; in particular a form of covered bridge known as the 'wind and rain bridge'. The Dong people live mostly in eastern Guizhou; western Hunan; and northern Guangxi provinces. Small pockets of Dong speakers are also found in Tuy阯 Quang province; northern Vietnam.

Nanning was originally founded during the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368); although there was a county seat here called Jinxing as far back as 318 CE.

Opened to foreign trade by the Chinese in 1907; Nanning grew rapidly. From 1912 to 1936 it was the provincial capital of Guangxi; replacing Guilin.

Due to its proximity to the Vietnamese border Nanning became a major centre for supplying Ho Chi Minh's North Vietnam during the Second Indochina War (Vietnam War).