Final answer:
The Hmong lived in different areas before the war, including Southeast Asia. They originated as a nomadic, tribal people in East Asia and later settled in upland regions of Southeast Asia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hmong lived in various areas before the war, but they are primarily associated with Southeast Asia. They originated from the grasslands and mountains northwest of the Gobi Desert in East Asia, where they lived as a nomadic, tribal people. However, many Hmong communities eventually settled in upland regions of Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Burma.