(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./.
As part of Project 6 under the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2024, Lạc Sơn District, Hoa Binh province focuses on diverse and practical activities to promote the project's goal: "Preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values of ethnic groups in conjunction with tourism development."
After 3 years of implementing Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU, dated October 11, 2021 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of Hoa Binh province's ethnic groups in the period of 2021 – 2025 with the orientation to 2030 (NQ04), it has mobilized the participation of the entire political system, the people from all walks of life and there have been positive changes. So far, out of the 10 targets of NQ04, 3 targets have been met and exceeded the plan set for 2025. Typically, 70% of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of ethnic groups in the province is on the list of the national ICH items and they have been protected and restored, exceeding 20% of the proposed Resolution.
Great National Unity Day has been recently celebrated in Duong hamlet, Vay Nua commune, Da Bac district, in an atmosphere of warmth and community spirit. The event highlighted national identity and strengthened the bond of solidarity among residents.
On November 28, the People's Committee of Cao Phong district organized the Cultural and Sports Festival of Cao Phong district's ethnic groups in 2024.
