(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./.
Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province, is widely regarded as the cultural heartland of the Muong ethnic group. Among its many traditional communities, Luy Ai hamlet (formerly Ai hamlet) stands out as a rare location where the customs and way of life of the Muong Bi people remain largely intact.
The Truong Kha temple festival, a distinctive cultural event held every three years in Vu Ban township, Lac Son district, returned recently with vibrant rituals and folk traditions of the Muong people. Located next to the Buoi River in the Muong Trao fields, the Truong Kha Temple is dedicated to the three Kun Dol deities, revered for teaching farming techniques, irrigation, weaving, and protecting the harvest.
The demand for spaces serving community activities of residents in various areas across Hoa Binh city has been satisfied as local cultural houses now feature modern, spacious facilities thanks to the effective implementation of Resolution No. 49/NQ-HDND issued on December 28, 2021 by the city People's Council, which approved the plan for reorganising, converting, and allocating land for the construction, repair, and expansion of cultural houses in Hoa Binh’s villages and residential areas until 2025.
At the end of May, the Hoa Binh Provincial Ethnic Arts Troupe organized a series of performances for residents in Region 2 and Region 3 communes across the province. Bringing art to ethnic communities in remote, isolated, and especially disadvantaged areas has become a meaningful activity. These are not merely artistic performances but also journeys to disseminate cultural values, enrich spiritual life, and contribute to preserving the cultural identity of ethnic minorities.
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