(HBO)- On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the world recognition of the "Hoa Binh Culture”, Hoa Binh province will organise numerous activities to popularise and honour the unique archaeological values of the world-renowned Stone Age culture in the province. Hoa Binh Online reporters had a talk with Buil Ngoc Lam, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and head of the organising board for commemoration activities.
Provincial museum staff arrange artefacts for an exhibition on the
occasion of the 85th anniversary of world recognition of "Hoa Binh
Culture”
Reporter: Could you give a general introduction about the "Hoa Binh
Culture”?
Mr. Bui Ngoc Lam: The term "Hoa Binh Culture” is used with two
meanings, one of which is the culture of all ethnic groups in Hoa Binh, and the
other is the archaeological culture.
Here we are talking
about the archaeological culture which dates back to the Stone Age, from
3,500-7,000 years ago.
The Hoa Binh Culture
was first discovered and studied by French woman archaeologist Madeleine Colani
in the years from 1926-1931. She also coined the term Hoa Binh Culture. In
1932, at the first conference on the prehistory in the Far East held in Hanoi,
world archaeologists agreed to adopt this term.
However, the Hoa Binh
Culture existed not only in Vietnam. In fact, it covered a large area in
Southeast Asia, but Vietnam was the place with the most relics of the culture,
so many foreign scientists considered the country as the birthplace of Hoa Binh
Culture. In Vietnam, Hoa Binh province is the place where the first relic of
Hoa Binh Culture was found, and it is also home to the most relics discovered
so far, that is why the province’s name was used to call the culture.
Reporter: On the 85th anniversary of world recognition of "Hoa Binh
Culture”, the province will organise many commemorative activities. Could you
please tell us about the meaning and significance of the anniversary?
Mr. Bui Ngoc Lam: Among commemorative events there will be an
exhibition on the Hoa Binh Culture, which will last through December. The
provincial library will host a display of books on the Hoa Binh archaeological
culture and the cultures of ethnic groups in Hoa Binh province. At the
provincial cultural palace, there will be a display of photos selected during
the Hoa Binh tourism photo contest in
2017. A scientific seminar on Hoa Binh Culture
will also be held here, along with an art performance and a demonstration of Mo
Muong.
Activities to celebrate
the 85th anniversary of world recognition of "Hoa Binh Culture” are
intended to popularise and honour the unique archaeological values of the
world-renowned Stone Age culture in Hoa Binh; honour the great contributions of
the French archaeologist Madeleine Colani who discovered and named the culture.
The activities also aim to foster the pride about the ethnic groups in the
province – the cradle of the Hoa Binh Culture and one of the cradles of human
kinds’ civilisation, and teach young generations about the local traditions.
Reporter: Thank you very much.
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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