(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./.
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
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