The Bo Y have a rich traditional culture.  Their unique customs act as a bond within their communities, giving them a sense of belonging and place.

Bo Y funeral customs dictate that children must be in mourning for 90 days following the death of their mother and 120 days from the death of their father.  Children are not allowed to marry for three years following the death of either parent.  During this time men cannot drink wine and women cannot wear jewelry.

When a Bo Y woman is in labor, a tree branch is placed across the door of her house to prevent anyone from intruding.  A spirit altar is erected to aid delivery.  The baby's placenta is buried under the floorboards beneath the mother's bed.  This arises from the belief that the spirits who come to take the soul of the dead use the placenta to identify the deceased.

The traditional costume of the Bo Y women include full skirts like those worn by the Hmong, decorated by batik.  The batik patterns are made with bee's wax and dyed with indigo.  The blouse is highly decorated, and an apron is worn over both the blouse and the front of the skirt.  Silver jewelry is commonly worn.  Women usually wear their hair in in chignon, covered with an indigo turban.  Some Bo Y, however, have adoped the dress of neighboring Nung people.