Promoting the potential of archaeological heritage in Trang An

Therefore, the province focuses on researching, preserving and promoting the value of these relics to awaken their inherent potential, creating a foundation for the formation of unique tourism products. This is considered a sustainable direction, contributing to the more comprehensive development of Ninh Binh in the future.

Photo caption

The almost intact skeleton was determined to be nearly 13,000 years old in Ninh Binh province. Photo: VNA

Rich heritage

After Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was recognized as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), implementing the recommendations of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, Ninh Binh province directed the implementation of many research programs to continue to enrich the values of the heritage. In particular, in 2025, the Sundasia Research Project, an international archaeological project focusing on Southeast Asia, discovered important remains such as a human skeleton over 12,000 years old along with data on chronology, stratigraphy, ancient flora and fauna and burial forms of prehistoric people at Thung Binh 1 cave, part of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

Emphasizing that the discovery of prehistoric human remains in Thung Binh Cave increases the international position of Trang An in terms of archaeology, Dr. Christopher Simpton, Archaeologist, Queen's University of Belfast, UK believes that this is just one of many discoveries that can be found in Trang An in the future, helping Trang An affirm its position in the international arena in terms of scientific research.

Experts have found important sedimentary layers and artifacts, providing clear evidence of a continuous cave system and the activities of prehistoric residents here. This contributes to strengthening the integrity and outstanding global value of the heritage. Thereby, the discoveries clarify the connection between nature and humans and the social life of prehistoric residents over tens of thousands of years, opening up many new approaches in research, heritage conservation, sustainable management, linking heritage conservation with green tourism development, friendly to the environment.

The research results have contributed to affirming Trang An as a “living museum” of natural evolution and human culture; a rare scientific evidence that sheds light on the process of human habitation and adaptation to environmental change. At the same time, the results also supplement valuable documents on anthropology, genetics and the presence of globally endangered animal species that once lived here. This has attracted widespread attention from domestic and international scientists and spread outstanding global values, enhancing the position of Ninh Binh as well as Vietnam on the world heritage and tourism map.

Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee Pham Quang Ngoc said that in recent years, scientific research in Trang An has been continuously focused on and promoted, especially archaeological, geological, biological and cultural programs. The research results have shed more light on the process of environmental evolution, the adaptation of ancient humans to climate change and the picture of a continuous living space for more than 30,000 years. In particular, the research results and discoveries about prehistoric people in Thung Binh 1 cave were published in the British journal Royal Society B, a clear demonstration of the great archaeological potential in Trang An.

Unleashing Potential

In recent years, the work of researching, preserving and promoting the value of archaeological relics in Ninh Binh province has had many positive changes, contributing to clarifying the history of formation and development of the ancient land's residents; at the same time opening up a new direction in developing cultural and historical tourism associated with heritage. In particular, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is where many archaeological discoveries of special value are concentrated.

Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Head of the Culture Department, UNESCO Office in Hanoi, commented that the new scientific discoveries at Trang An clearly demonstrate the high level of commitment of Ninh Binh province as well as Vietnam in implementing the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee. In the decision to register as well as the records and reports on the conservation status of the heritage site, the Committee has repeatedly recommended that Vietnam continue to invest and expand archaeological research to demonstrate and clarify the outstanding global values, both natural and cultural. In particular, the cultural value of Trang An is unique, being the only evidence of prehistoric settlement found in Southeast Asia. Therefore, Ninh Binh's current efforts are contributing to consolidating, clarifying and more convincingly affirming the global value of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

To preserve and promote the value of archaeological relics, Ninh Binh has developed a long-term research plan, coordinated with research institutes and universities at home and abroad to implement excavation projects, establish scientific records; at the same time, invested in restoring and embellishing areas of outstanding value. In addition, the province focuses on propaganda work, raising public awareness of the value of archaeological heritage; encouraging people to participate in protecting, preserving and promoting. Thanks to that, archaeological relics are not only preserved sustainably but also become a resource to promote tourism development.

For Ninh Binh tourism, the unique archaeological relics in Trang An are a solid foundation for building attractive and distinctive products. Mr. Nguyen Cao Tan, Deputy Director of Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, said that in the coming time, the tourism industry will implement projects to build unique and in-depth cultural and ecological tourism products, contributing to raising public awareness of conservation; at the same time, creating sustainable livelihoods for local people, especially promoting the values of these cultural heritages to domestic and international friends.

The archaeological heritages of Ninh Binh in general and Trang An in particular not only preserve the imprints of the past but also contain values that are meaningful to the present and orient the future. With the determination to preserve and promote these heritage values, Ninh Binh province is continuing to promote scientific research, conservation and promotion of heritage. These efforts not only contribute to enriching the cultural treasures of the ancient capital but also affirm the influence of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex on its journey to the world.

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