(HBO) – The Hoa Binh Civilisation is a famous prehistoric one found in many Southeast Asian countries, of which Vietnam is home to the biggest number and most diversity of vestiges. More than 130 sites dating back to this civilisation have been discovered in Vietnam, including over 70 in Hoa Binh province. The presence of the Hoa Binh Civilisation is proof that Hoa Binh - Vietnam is one of the cradles of humankind.


 

Staff members of the Hoa Binh provincial Museum arrange artefacts of the Hoa Binh Civilisation.

It was not until 1932 that this prehistoric civilisation was recognised by international archaeologists. The first conference on the Far East’s prehistory held in Hanoi in January 1932 agreed to name this civilisation "Hoa Binh” as proposed by French archaeologist Madeleine Colani.

Historical evidence shows that the Hoa Binh Civilisation appeared and existed in the prehistoric territory of Vietnam about 18,000 - 7,500 years ago. Its existence not only testified that Vietnam was one of the cradles of humankind but also provided archaeologists, scientists, and anthropologists with persuasive evidence of the biological development of the homosapiens species.

Scientific studies found that the Hoa Binh Civilisation existed not only in Vietnam but also across Southeast Asia. In the north of the region, its vestiges have been unearthed in southern China. They have also been discovered in Malaysia and Sumatra (Indonesia) in the south; Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand in the west; and even a cave of the Philippines in the east of the region.

In Vietnam, which boasts the biggest number and most diversity of traces, archaeologists have recorded more than 130 places dating back to this civilisation. These sites concentrate in the northern provinces of Hoa Binh (72) and Thanh Hoa (32). The remainders scatter over the provinces of Lai Chau, Son La, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Quang Binh, and Quang Tri. Therefore, many domestic and foreign scientists believe that Hoa Binh province was the hometown of this civilisation.

To Anh Tu, Director of the provincial Museum, said the Hoa Binh Civilisation is a transition from the Old Stone Age (Son Vi Civilisation) to the New Stone Age (Bac Son Civilisation). The main living places of humans that time were caves and stone shelters while a small number of them resided outdoor and on the banks of rivers and springs.

They lived in a matriarchal society and mainly on hunting and foraging. They also created and used tools made from bone, horn, and clamshell, along with ceramic objects. In particular, they were also aware of beauty and fine arts, and buried the dead with legs bent towards the body in their living places, he added.

 


Related Topics


Promoting Hoa Binh cultural heritage values: Part 3 - Reviving traditional 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.

Exploring Hoa Binh Culture

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.

Promoting Hoa Binh cultural heritage values: Part 2 - Rich cultural heritage in Vietnam’s northwest gateway

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.

Receiving the certificate of the historical and cultural site at the provincial level for Sau Communal House, Thanh Cao Commune

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.

Motivation for community to enhance cultural heritage preservation

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.

A journey through time: Exploring rich history, formation of Hoa Binh province: Article 1: Major features of Hoa Binh province formation

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.