(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./.
Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.
The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.
If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.
The Government Office with Document No. 2082/VPCP-KGVX, dated March 29, 2024, sent out the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the submission of the "Mo Muong" and "Cheo art" dossiers to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
