(HBO) – Hoa Binh province is currently home to more than 120 relic sites of the Hoa Binh Civilisation. There haven’t been any relic sites of this civilisation’s early period (about over 30,000 - 20,000 years ago) found in the province. While some sites date back to the middle period (over 20,000 - over 10,000 years ago), the majority belong to the late period of the civilisation (over 10,000 - 7,000 years ago).
An excavation team works at the Vanh Village stone
shelter relic site in Yen Phu commune of Lac Son district in 2022.
Relic sites of Hoa
Binh Civilisation’s middle period
The Trai Hamlet Cave relic site, located in Trai
hamlet of Tan Lap commune (Lac Son district), was discovered in 1980. The
Vietnam Institute of Archaeology carried out excavations there in May 1981 and
August 1982 and concluded that this is a typical relic site of the Hoa Binh
Civilisation. In 1997, this place was recognised as a national historical and
cultural relic site.
The Khoai Cave relic site in Khoai Mountain in
Sun hamlet of Xam Khoe commune (Mai Chau district) dates back to 17,000 -
11,000 years ago. It was listed as a national historical and cultural relic
site in 1997.
Dating back to 17,000 - 8,000 years ago, the
Vanh Village stone shelter in Trang Mountain of Vanh hamlet, Yen Phu commune
(Lac Son district), was found by French archaeologist M. Colani in 1929. Thanks
to its precious historical and scientific values, it earned the national
importance status in 2004.
Relic sites of Hoa
Binh Civilisation’s late period
Exploring Muoi Cave in Bua Ben Mountain of Man
Duc township (Tan Lac district), archaeologists have unearthed more than 900
objects and two graves there. The site, dating back to 10,000 - 7,000 years
ago, contains a wide range of vestiges typical for the late period of the Hoa
Binh Civilisation. It was recognised as a historical and cultural relic site in
1995.
Meanwhile, the Cho Cave relic site in Hui hamlet
of Cao Son commune (Luong Son district) was first excavated by M. Colani in
1926. Research findings revealed that it dates back about 10,000 years and was
a long-term living place of prehistoric humans. The cave was named a historical
and cultural relic site of national importance in 2000.
At Bung Cave in Suoi Hoa commune (Tan Lac
district), working tools and animal and plant traces found there indicate that
the site dates back over 10,000 years. It earned the national importance
recognition in 2003.
The Tam Cave relic site, located in Rong Tam
hamlet of Lam Son commune (Luong Son district), contains diverse work tools
typical for techniques used in the Hoa Binh Civilisation. Dating back to less
than 10,000 years ago, it was recognised as a national historical and cultural
relic site in 2000.
Dong Thot Cave in Ba Hang Doi township (Lac Thuy
district), dating back to about 10,000 - 7,000 years ago, was recognised as a
national historical and cultural relic site in 2001.
According to the Hoa Binh provincial Museum,
only 12 archaeological relic sites in the localities have been listed as
historical and cultural sites of national importance, including 10 belonging to
the Hoa Binh Civilisation. There remain a large number of relics that haven’t
studied, and it is necessary to have a long-term plan for the civilisation
research./.
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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