Journey to the past

- As an agency that preserves and researches the historical and cultural values ​​of the locality, the Provincial Museum plays a key role in searching, collecting and identifying traces and paleontological sites. From field surveys to exploration, appraisal and collection, each specimen brought to the museum not only adds to the province's archives, but also provides a scientific basis for identifying the historical value of Lang Son land.

The provincial museum coordinated with officers and experts from the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center (under the Ministry of National Defense ) to survey and research paleontology in Binh Gia commune.

In 2025, Na Duong Basin (Na Duong Commune) was the location where the Provincial Museum's survey team conducted many surveys and explorations after discovering traces of some fossil specimens. Mr. Nguyen The Vinh, Museum Affairs Department, Provincial Museum said: After many days of searching, based on my experience and sometimes my intuition to discover and confirm that it was indeed a paleontological specimen, I was really excited and happy. Every time I found a specimen, I felt like I was bringing the past back to the present.

The outstanding result after the survey trips in Trung Na Duong is the fossil specimen of two ancient crocodiles, lying deep in the sediment layer. That has confirmed that this place was once home to many creatures millions of years ago, opening up new slices of the natural history of Lang Son .

In 2024, the Provincial Museum collected over 300 artifacts; in 2025, collected over 500 artifacts including archaeological specimens and documents, images, and artifacts related to historical periods. Currently, the Provincial Museum is preserving over 75,000 artifacts. Of these, about 16,000 artifacts have been scientifically documented for display and research.

Currently, the Provincial Museum has a museum professional department that conducts surveys and explorations of archaeological sites. The force consists of only 3 officials, while the province is large, the sites are not only located in paleontological layers or prehistoric caves but often appear in the daily lives of the people. Therefore, the Provincial Museum has built a network of more than 50 collaborators in communes in the province, those silent "eyes and ears" are regularly met by the Provincial Museum officials, and are instructed on how to identify signs and traces of sites during the labor and production process.

From the information provided by collaborators, combined with research, the Museum's Professional Department will organize a review, evaluation, and then decide to deploy the exploration or combine work, inviting experts to participate. From rocky mountains, prehistoric caves to lands still containing ancient sediments, with only rudimentary tools such as exploration hammers, small hoes, maps and burning passion, the museum workers set off again. Each survey trip of the group usually lasts from 4 to 6 days.

From the beginning of 2025 until now, the Provincial Museum has carried out and coordinated 15 business trips. Mr. Nguyen Gia Quyen, Head of the Museum Affairs Department, Provincial Museum, shared about his work as if talking about an endless adventure: “Every business trip is a memory, because the survey conditions are often very difficult, the terrain is rugged. Sometimes the whole group has to follow the cat's ear cliff to check; or suddenly encounter snakes and centipedes while surveying; sometimes sit for hours in the cave just to listen to the sound of the rocks. Although it is difficult and hard, when we find even just a small piece of artifact, we are as happy as if we found gold”.

Provincial Museum officials chemically treat crocodile fossil specimens

Thanks to the enthusiasm and perseverance of museum professionals, in 2024, the Provincial Museum acquired over 300 artifacts; in 2025, it acquired over 500 artifacts including archaeological specimens and documents, images, and artifacts related to historical periods. Currently, the Provincial Museum is preserving over 75,000 artifacts. Of these, about 16,000 artifacts have been scientifically documented for display and research.

The large number of artifacts, large area, and limited human resources require the professional team to constantly improve their appraisal and excavation capacity. Mr. Nong Duc Kien, Director of the Provincial Museum, said: The Museum always prioritizes and coordinates sending officials to join survey and excavation teams to learn from experts' experiences. We encourage young staff to travel a lot, because only through field contact can we fully understand how to identify sediments, classify stratigraphy, or handle paleontological artifacts. At the same time, the museum always creates favorable conditions in terms of equipment, means, and coordination mechanisms so that staff can confidently stick to the area, boldly discover and propose new survey directions.

Mr. Luu Ba Mac, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: In recent years, the Provincial Museum has proactively, seriously and persistently carried out surveys, explorations and collection of artifacts, thereby gradually supplementing valuable sources of documents for the province. Despite the small force and limited conditions, the unit has maintained the frequency of professional activities, ensuring the scientific nature of the appraisal and preservation process. The results achieved show the great efforts of the staff, and at the same time affirm the important role of the museum in serving research, display and community education. The Department will continue to pay attention and create conditions for the museum to further improve its professional capacity, meeting the requirements of heritage conservation in the new period.

The artifacts found are not just tools, bones, or traces of ancient culture, but they are stories about things and events that once existed but were covered by time. Each specimen, each expedition, each trace brought to the museum is a step to open the door to the past, helping the community understand more clearly about the land they live in. For that reason, museum workers are still persistent and steadfast over the years with their work, because they believe that somewhere in the heart of Lang Son, there are still pieces of history waiting to be awakened to tell the story of the past for the future.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/hanh-trinh-tim-ve-qua-khu-5066775.html