The Dong Dau archaeological site was discovered in February 1962, covering an area of approximately 86,000 m2. Since then, Dong Dau has undergone seven excavations, totaling over 800 m2. These excavations have unearthed finely engraved pottery fragments, meticulously polished stone tools, and early bronze artifacts such as arrowheads, axes, spears, and fishhooks, reflecting the superior craftsmanship and creative thinking of ancient Vietnamese people. These artifacts also reveal a stable and prosperous settled life. The inhabitants knew how to cultivate crops, raise livestock, hunt, and gather. The remains of stilt houses made of bamboo and wood, charcoal fires, and earthenware jars containing food show a community that knew how to organize and divide labor, forming the first elements of a class-based society – the foundation for the emergence of ancient states.
Dong Dau National Monument is located in Yen Lac town, Yen Lac district, Vinh Phuc province (formerly).
In 1996, the Dong Dau archaeological site was classified as a National Monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). Many artifacts unearthed from this site are now preserved and displayed at the Vinh Phuc Museum and the National Museum of History, contributing to research, education , and promotion of ancient Vietnamese culture.
The artifacts found reflect the superior craftsmanship and creative thinking of the ancient Vietnamese people.
However, along with modern life and urbanization, the Dong Dau archaeological site is facing many challenges. Population encroachment, the impact of agricultural practices, and climate change have caused the conservation area to shrink, and some excavation pits have been filled in and faded over the years. Although conservation and promotion efforts have been emphasized, they are still not commensurate with the immense value the site possesses.
Recognizing the importance of preserving this "prehistoric treasure," Vinh Phuc province (formerly), now Phu Tho province, has been implementing the Project for the Protection and Promotion of the Value of Dong Dau Archaeological Site for the period 2025-2035 and beyond. This is considered a long-term strategy aimed at comprehensively preserving and promoting the value of the site in conjunction with sustainable cultural and tourism development.
During the period 2025-2030, the locality will focus on planning, zoning, and marking boundaries for the protection of the relics; preserving some outdoor excavation pits in situ for tourism and educational purposes. Along with this, they will build a digital database, digitize all related documents and artifacts, and complete the dossier to submit to the Government for recognition of Dong Dau as a Special National Relic. The province also plans to organize a national-level scientific conference, produce a documentary film, build a website introducing the relics, and develop tourism routes connecting Dong Dau with other relics and scenic spots in the region.
The Dong Dau archaeological site is being comprehensively preserved and its value promoted in conjunction with cultural and tourism development.
The period from 2030 to 2035 will focus on completing the infrastructure of the historical site with green parks and exhibition halls for research and tourism. It is expected that two to four sets of books introducing the value of the site will be compiled, along with at least five exhibitions both domestically and internationally to promote the image of Dong Dau – the cradle of ancient Vietnamese culture – more widely. In addition, the local authorities will organize professional training courses for cultural officials and tour guides, ensuring that conservation work is carried out systematically and scientifically.
Upon completion, Dong Dau will not only be an archaeological site but will also become a national-level cultural and historical center, connecting the past and the present. The site's space will be harmoniously planned, blending nature and architecture, serving both research and traditional education, as well as being a unique tourist attraction. From there, Dong Dau – where the soul of the nation has been distilled over thousands of years – will forever be a symbol of enduring vitality, a reminder to today's generation of their responsibility to preserve and promote the precious heritage left by their ancestors.
Le Minh
Source: https://baophutho.vn/hon-cot-buoi-dau-dung-nuoc-241153.htm
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