Natural, cultural and social conditions of Quang Binh

Việt Nam•08/07/2023

I. NATURAL CONDITIONS

Quang Binh province is located in the central part of Vietnam, within the Northern Truong Son ecological region, at coordinates between 17°05' and 18°05' North latitude and between 106°59' and 107°10' East longitude. It borders Ha Tinh province to the north, Quang Tri province to the south, Khammouane and Savannakhet provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to the west with a border length of 201.87 km, and the East Sea to the east with a coastline length of 116.04 km. Quang Binh lies on the central route of the strategic trans-Vietnam roads, National Highway 1A and the Ho Chi Minh Highway, as well as the North-South railway. It is 450 km south of Hanoi and approximately 1,200 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. National Highway 12A runs from East to West through the Cha Lo International Border Gate, and Provincial Highway 20 through the Ca Roong Border Gate connects with the Lao People's Democratic Republic, one of the gateways linking with countries in the Southeast Asian region.

Quang Binh province has a natural area of 8,065.27 km2, of which 85% is hilly and mountainous. The province's land resources are divided into two main systems: alluvial soil in the plains and ferralitic soil in the hills and mountains, with 15 different types. The entire area is divided into four different ecological zones: high mountain zone, hilly and midland zone, plain zone, and coastal sand zone. Each ecological zone holds many potentials and prospects for investment and development.

Quang Binh is a relatively narrow strip of land with a sloping terrain from west to east. The mountainous region on the eastern slope of the Truong Son mountain range has an altitude ranging from 250 m to 2,000 m, with many dense forests and rugged mountains. Phi-co-pi (Giang Man) peak, bordering the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is the highest peak in the province (2,071 m).

Located in the tropical monsoon region, Quang Binh is always affected by a climate that is a blend of the North and South of Vietnam, with two distinct seasons: the rainy season from September to March of the following year; and the dry season from April to August. The rainy season is often accompanied by storms and floods, while the dry season causes droughts. Quang Binh is situated in a region with high rainfall, averaging 2,000 to 2,500 mm/year. The high mountainous areas bordering Vietnam and Laos receive up to 3,000 mm/year, for example in Minh Hoa district.

The high rainfall, numerous rainy days, and even distribution throughout the year have created ideal humid conditions for a typical tropical rainforest ecosystem on limestone mountains, which is of exceptional global value.

Quang Binh province has a forest area of 486,688 hectares, mostly natural forest. Forest cover reached nearly 67.4% (in 2010), ranking second nationwide, only after Bac Can province. The forests have high timber reserves and many rare and valuable plant and animal species. A large portion of Quang Binh's hilly and mountainous area lies within the Northern Truong Son ecological zone, home to a diverse and unique flora and fauna with many rare and valuable genetic resources. Typical examples of biodiversity conservation include the Phong Nha-Ke Bang karst area and the lowlands of the Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong area.

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a World Natural Heritage site in Quang Binh province, boasts a unique forest type not found anywhere else on Earth: a predominantly coniferous evergreen tropical forest with the dominant species of Calocedrus rupestris (rocky mountain cypress) and, beneath its canopy, Paphiopedilum spp. (slipper orchids) distributed on limestone mountains at altitudes above 700-1,000m. In addition, the National Park has 15 identified forest types that contribute to the diversity of its ecosystems, among which the evergreen forest on limestone mountains is considered of international importance.

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a prime example of the values of limestone ecosystems worldwide, with global significance for biodiversity conservation. To date, 2,953 species of vascular plants, 1,394 animal species have been identified, including 823 vertebrate species and 393 insect species. Most of these are native to the area. Up to 121 plant species and 116 animal species are listed in the 2006 International Red List of Endangered Species of Nature, and 28 species of plants and animals with high economic and scientific value are critically endangered globally. Many rare animal species are listed in the Vietnamese Red List and the World Red List, such as the Ha Tinh langur, saola, large muntjac, various types of pheasants, etc.; and plant species such as the Dalbergia tonkinensis, teak, mahogany, and cypress. Beneath the forest canopy, there are also economically valuable plant species such as rattan, agarwood, and precious medicinal herbs like Bo Chinh ginseng, seven-leaf one-flower ginseng, cardamom, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, and blood grass...

The diverse habitats of limestone mountains, caves, and earthen hills provide ideal conditions for 9 out of 21 primate species (43% of Vietnam's primates) to live and be distributed in Quang Binh. Three primate species are critically endangered globally: the Ha Tinh langur (Trachypithecus hatinhensis), the brown-footed langur (Pygathrix nemaeus), and the white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys siki). Among these, the Ha Tinh langur is a narrowly endemic species found only in the limestone mountains of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and its surroundings. The vast area of limestone mountains and primary forest vegetation has created the most diverse bat fauna in Vietnam, with 46 species (accounting for 43% of Vietnam's total species), making it one of the most promising areas in Vietnam and the world for bat conservation.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is also an important site for the conservation of endemic species, with 419 endemic plant species of Vietnam and 41 endemic animal species of the Truong Son mountain range, including 23 species that have only been found in Phong Nha-Ke Bang.

Quang Binh province has five main river systems: the Roon River, Gianh River, Ly Hoa River, Dinh River, and Nhat Le River. Rivers are vital transportation arteries connecting mountainous areas with plains, rural areas with urban centers. The river and stream systems create ecologically diverse river basins. In particular, the province has two major river mouths, the Gianh and Nhat Le estuaries, which serve socio-economic development, contributing to expanded trade and integration.

Quang Binh's coastline stretches along with many beaches boasting turquoise waters, jutting alongside endless stretches of white and yellow sand dunes, interspersed with spectacular rocky shores, most notably Da Nhay beach near Ly Hoa pass in Bo Trach district. The continental shelf is 2.6 times larger than the land area, forming a vast fishing ground with an estimated seafood reserve of 99,000 tons and 1,659 species, including many rare species such as lobsters, tiger prawns, squid, and cuttlefish. In the northern part of the province, at the foot of Ngang pass, lies Hon La deep-water bay along with numerous small islands, ideal for anchoring ships. Hon La has been developed into a deep-water seaport with significant potential for economic development.

Quang Binh province possesses many valuable mineral resources such as gold, iron, titanium, limestone, kaolin, and quartz. Among these, limestone and kaolin have large reserves, providing suitable conditions for the large-scale development of the cement and construction materials industries. The province has three mineral spring sources, the most notable being the Bang hot spring in Le Thuy district, with a peak temperature reaching 105°C, which has been developed into a grand resort.

II. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONDITIONS

Since ancient times, Quang Binh has been known as a crossroads of economic, cultural, and social influences from the three regions of North, Central, and South Vietnam, possessing a long-standing historical and cultural tradition. Archaeological sites discovered in this area demonstrate the intermingling of Dong Son - Sa Huynh, Dang Trong - Dang Ngoai, and Thang Long - Phu Xuan cultures. This intermingling gradually developed into a unified trend throughout the historical development of Quang Binh.

Throughout the development of national history, Quang Binh not only has a long history but has also experienced many ups and downs. Almost every era, Quang Binh has had to stand at the forefront of the country as a sacred mission (Nguyen Khac Thai, 2002). And to fulfill that historical mission, the people of Quang Binh have bravely and resolutely contributed their strength and resources to the cause of nation-building and national defense, leaving behind many movements and many names that are remembered in history.

Historical documents also show that Quang Binh occupies an important position in the formation and development of the nation. Thousands of years ago, Quang Binh was part of the Viet Thuong region, one of the 15 regions of the Van Lang kingdom during the Hung Kings era. Throughout the following centuries, Vietnam was successively ruled by Chinese feudal dynasties, becoming their district and county. The small land of Quang Binh was sometimes part of the Cuu Chan district under Trieu Da, and sometimes part of the Nhat Nam district under the Han dynasty. From the first century AD, Quang Binh was a frontier region of a powerful southern kingdom, stretching from the southern Hoanh Son mountain range to the southernmost part of Central Vietnam – the Lam Ap kingdom (later known as La Hoan Vuong, Chiem Thanh, Champa). This factor contributed to the diversity and richness of Quang Binh's history and culture. The Champa Kingdom built many military fortifications here, some of which still remain today, such as Hoan Vuong Fortress (in Quang Trach district), Ke Ha Fortress (Bo Trach district), and Nha Ngo Fortress (Le Thuy district).

In 1069, Ly Thuong Kiet led his army to expand southward, reclaiming the three provinces of Bo Chinh, Dia Ly, and Ma Linh. From then on, the land of the former Viet Thuong region (including Quang Binh) returned to the territory of Dai Viet. In 1075, Ly Thuong Kiet reformed the administrative system of the border regions to counter hostile forces, expanding the southern territories of the country, attracting settlers, and mapping the land. From then on, Quang Binh remained stable within the Dai Viet nation.

In the centuries that followed, from the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400), the Ho Dynasty (1400-1407), the Later Tran Dynasty (1407-1419), the Early Le Dynasty (1428-1527), the Mac Dynasty (1527-1529), and the Later Le Dynasty (1533-1788), successive dynasties expanded the territory, migrating people to cultivate and settle in new lands south of the Ngang Pass. In 1604, for the first time in history, the Dia Ly region was established as an administrative unit under the Nguyen Lords, named Quang Binh Prefecture. From then on, the name Quang Binh was born and has existed to this day.

During that historical period, Quang Binh witnessed the Trinh-Nguyen civil war, which lasted for more than two centuries. The Gianh River served as the dividing line between Dang Trong and Dang Ngoai (Southern and Northern Vietnam). From Ngang Pass to Ha Co – the narrowest strip of land in the country – became a brutal battlefield. In 1788, Emperor Quang Trung launched his second military campaign, sweeping away 290,000 Manchu troops and unifying the country. The division along the Gianh River ended from then on. Under the Nguyen dynasty, Quang Binh was established as an independent administrative unit directly under the court, named Quang Binh Citadel. In 1831, Emperor Minh Mang officially named it Quang Binh Province.

In 1858, the French and Spanish East Asian fleets opened fire on Da Nang, beginning the war of aggression. After the fall of Hue, Ton That Thuyet took King Ham Nghi to Son Phong (Quang Tri) and issued the "Can Vuong" (Support the King) decree, calling on scholars and the people to help the king save the country. Later, King Ham Nghi went to the mountainous western region of Quang Binh to establish a resistance base against the French colonialists. People in many localities in Quang Binh responded to the "Can Vuong" movement, joining the resistance forces against the French and achieving many victories that are recorded in history.

On July 19, 1885, the French colonialists occupied Quang Binh. The army and people of Quang Binh bravely rose up alongside the people and army of the whole country to seize power in 1945 and subsequently waged a resistance war to expel the French, achieving complete victory in 1954.

Peace did not last long before the US invaded Vietnam (1964-1972). From then on, Quang Binh province became the frontline in the resistance war against the US. The people of Quang Binh contributed their manpower and resources, enduring countless losses and sacrifices to join the people of the whole country in liberating the South and unifying the nation.

Since returning to Dai Viet, the land of Quang Binh has changed its place name many times: Lam Binh (1075), Tan Binh (1375), Tay Binh (1402), Tien Binh (1600), Quang Binh prefecture (1604), Quang Binh province (1831) and finally Quang Binh province under the Democratic Republic from 1945.

During the Nguyen Dynasty, Quang Binh province produced many distinguished figures who brought glory to the land, such as Duong Van An, Nguyen Huu Hao, and Nguyen Ham Ninh. The Quang Binh region also contributed to the nation talented individuals whose names are recorded in history, such as Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh, who played a key role in reclaiming and establishing a large area in the South of the country; and Vo Nguyen Giap, a brilliant general and a great cultural figure in the Ho Chi Minh era.

In 1976, the three provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien merged to form Binh Tri Thien province. On July 1, 1989, Quang Binh province was re-established, returning to its original boundaries and name from history.

In terms of administrative structure, Quang Binh province has 6 districts: Tuyen Hoa, Minh Hoa, Quang Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Ninh, Le Thuy, 1 town (Ba Don) and 1 city (Dong Hoi) directly under the provincial administration.

The total population of Quang Binh province in 2019 was 895,423 people, the majority being Kinh (over 97% of the population). The ethnic minority communities in Quang Binh consist of two main groups: the Chut and Bru-Van Kieu, and several groups belonging to the Muong, Thai, and Tay ethnic groups, with 26,296 people (approximately 2.94% of the province's population). These ethnic minority communities mainly reside in high-altitude, relatively isolated areas in valleys along rivers and streams, where water resources are readily available and the land is quite fertile in western Quang Binh.

The main religions in Quang Binh are Buddhism and Catholicism. Several ancient pagodas, temples, and shrines dedicated to folk deities have been restored and become cultural and spiritual centers of interest to locals and tourists, such as: Pho Minh Pagoda (Duc Ninh commune, Dong Hoi city), Non Pagoda on the summit of Than Dinh mountain (Truong Xuan commune, Quang Ninh district), the temple of Princess Lieu Hanh at the foot of Deo Ngang pass (Quang Dong commune, Quang Trach district), and Hoang Phuc Pagoda in Le Thuy district.

Christianity was introduced to Quang Binh around 1619-1820. Many Catholic churches still remain in villages along the Gianh River (in Quang Trach district) and the Son River (in Bo Trach district).

Quang Binh possesses cultural values passed down from generation to generation. Its folk culture is diverse, rich, and unique, encompassing folk literature, folk culture and art, traditional festivals, and customs. Every rural area in Quang Binh has its own distinct folk cultural activities, such as: "Hat dum," "Hat sac bua," and "Ho thuoc" in Minh Hoa; "Hat Kieu," "Hat Nha tro," "Ho Nhan ngai," and "Ho Hui" in Quang Trach; "Mua Bong Cheo Can" dance and the "Cau Mua" festival in Dong Hoi; "Ho Khoan," "Ho gia gao," and "ve" and "ly" in Le Thuy; "Bai Choi" festival and the "Full Moon of the 3rd Month" festival in Minh Hoa; and the "Dap Trong" festival of the Bru-Van Kieu people in Thuong Trach commune, Bo Trach district.

As a land where major national cultures intertwine and blend, Quang Binh has, since ancient times, possessed a unique cultural identity unlike any other. This has contributed to the development of a rich spiritual life. It is also the driving force that has helped the people of Quang Binh overcome the ups and downs of history and the difficulties and challenges that have always presented themselves in every era.

According to Quang Binh Cave Wonders

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