(HBO) - Historically, Quen Thi village in Cao Duong commune, Luong Son district was born a few hundred years ago. At first, there were only seven households from other places to settle here. Later, it developed into a village called Trai Mit village, which is now called Quen Thi village. About 300 years ago, the people of Quen Thi village built a communal house to worship the Gods Tan Vien Son, Cun Truong Thung, and the Citadel of the village.
Quen Thi Communal House in Cao Duong commune (Luong Son) was built nicely, meeting the spiritual needs of the local people.
It is not only is a religious place, the village communal house is also a meeting place to discuss the village’s matters. The communal house was built in the middle of the field, looking the south. In the east, west and north there are limestone mountains that cover the village campus. Quen Thi communal house has been expanded into seven compartments, with a harem and it was built with precious wooden. The communal house was degraded over the time. In 1996, the people of Quen Thi village contributed their labor and money to rebuilding the communal house at the right old place to worship the gods, Tan Vien Son and the Citadel of the village.
During the year, Quen Thi communal house often holds five main festivals, in which the spring festival on the 12th of January is held the most solemnly. The festival includes the ceremony to hold the palanquin procession of Duc Mau's incense bowl to the eldest communal house. After the ceremony stopped at the right place, the folk games, antiphonal singing, cultural and sports activities take place. These activities always attract the people of the whole village to participate. On April 4 of the lunar calendar, the communal house held a ceremony to pray for water plating. The village’s shaman prays for good rain, good weather and good crops. On 12 June of the lunar calendar is a ceremony to go to the field. The village’s shaman prays the gods, the heaven and earth for the permission to go to the field. After the ceremony, the villagers are allowed to go transplanting in the fields. The 18th August of lunar month is a ceremony to wash rice leaves. At this time, rice is standing and easily being damaged by pests and other diseases. The people in the village pray for good weather and no pests and diseases can destroy the crops. On the 12th of October, the new rice ceremony is celebrated. At this time, rice begins to be collected home. This is a ceremony to thank the gods, the heaven and earth to have helped them with the good harvest, the prosperous and healthy business and good health.
Hoa Binh province has carried out multiple programmes and initiatives to revive its cultural heritage which has gradually fallen into oblivion through the ebbs and flows of history.
The most prominent and defining feature in the prehistoric era of Hoa Binh is the Hoa Binh Culture. The Culture was first discovered in Hoa Binh. The significant prehistoric culture represents not only Vietnam but also Southeast Asia and southern China. Through excavations of cave sites in the limestone regions of Hoa Binh, French archaeologist M. Colani introduced the world to a "Stone Age in Hoa Binh province – Northern Vietnam" in 1927. On January 30, 1932, the First Congress of Far Eastern Prehistorians, held in Hanoi, officially recognised the Hoa Binh Culture.
Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.
The People's Committee of Luong Son District recently held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Sau Communal House in Thanh Cao Commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural site.
Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.
Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.
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