(HBO) – Hoa Binh province is home to the largest number of archaeological sites of the Hoa Binh Civilisation, which existed in not only Vietnam but also other countries in Southeast Asia about 30,000 - 4,000 years ago. Those sites spread in different densities almost across the province.
The Trai hamlet cave in Tan Lap commune (Lac Son district) is one of the outstanding archaeological sites dating back to the Hoa Binh Civilisation.
At least 72 sites dating back to the Hoa Binh Civilisation have been found in the province so far. They include the Vanh village stone shelter in Yen Phu commune and the Trai hamlet cave in Tan Lap commune of Lac Son district, which are two famous archaeological sites.
The Vanh village stone shelter, a typical archaeological site from the Hoa Binh Civilisation, was discovered and first excavated by French archaeologist M. Colani in 1929. Recognised as a national archaeological site in 2004, it contains stone tools, ceramic objects, and graves dating back 17,000 - 8,000 years.
Meanwhile, the Trai hamlet cave, also typical for the civilisation in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, was found in 1980 and first excavated by the Institute of Archaeology in 1981 and 1982. The 21,000-year-old cave served as a long-term place of residence as well as a tool making workshop and a burial site of people of the Hoa Binh Civilisation. It was listed as a national archaeological site in 2001.
Under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Decision No. 1052/QĐ-BVHTTDL, dated May 6, 2022, on archaeological excavation, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Museum of Hoa Binh province coordinated with the Institute of Archaeology under the Vietnam Academy of Social Science and the Centre for Prehistoric Southeast Asian Studies to excavate the Vanh village stone shelter and the Trai hamlet cave. The excavation of the two national relic sites was completed, helping find new evidence of the civilisation, honour values of this cultural heritage, and express gratitude to archaeologist M. Colani and generations of domestic and foreign researchers and culture officials.
The Vanh village stone shelter and the Trai hamlet cave are typical representatives of the Hoa Binh Civilisation’s vestiges in Hoa Binh province and Vietnam at large. They also hold unique historical and cultural importance to become valuable tourism resources.
As directed by the provincial Party Committee’s standing members, the provincial People’s Committee issued a plan to build a scientific dossier seeking the recognition of the Vanh village stone shelter and the Trai hamlet cave in Lac Son district as special national relic sites.
The move is expected to affirm the importance of the two sites from the Hoa Binh Civilisation, which contain traces proving the presence of primitive humans in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, enrich historical and cultural tourism places in the province to help foster tourism development, and provide a legal basis for managing, protecting, restoring, and bringing into play the sites’ values./.
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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