Scientific seminar on Dong Son Culture in Cao Bang

Attending the event were comrades: Quan Minh Cuong, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Le Hai Hoa, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc, Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association and scientists from the National Cultural Heritage Council, Vietnam Archaeological Association.

Based on archaeological documents discovered over the past decades, Cao Bang has 3 groups of relics and artifacts that are typical of Dong Son (and post-Dong Son) culture, namely: Bronze drums (preserved at the Provincial Museum), megalithic relics and some other bronze and ceramic artifacts. In addition, with random discoveries by local people, the Provincial Museum is currently preserving some artifacts that are typical of Phung Nguyen culture (some stone axes). Dong Son culture is the period of inheritance of Phung Nguyen culture. It can be said that this is also an important clue for the study of successive cultural flows in Cao Bang land. In the period of national founding, the most prominent figure is Thuc Phan associated with the legend "Cau chua cheng vua" of the Tay people. Thuc Phan - An Duong Vuong is the one who unified the two components of Lac Viet and Tay Au residents to establish Au Lac country in the 3rd century BC.

At the seminar, delegates listened to the Report on the investigation and research of Dong Son cultural relics and artifacts in Cao Bang in 2025 and the presentation on "Cao Bang in the Au Lac era" presented by central scientists and historians. Delegates gave opinions and discussed the scientific bases and new discoveries, which are important clues for understanding the history of Cao Bang in prehistoric times and the position of Cao Bang in the early state formation period in Vietnam.

Delegates discussed new evidence of Dong Son culture in Cao Bang.

Delegates exchanged and shared the orientation of developing happiness from the original values mentioned in the book "Building a happy Cao Bang, the path of development for people" by comrade Quan Minh Cuong, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Cao Bang province.

Speaking at the seminar, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Quan Minh Cuong emphasized: Cao Bang - a mountainous border province in the North - is facing a special opportunity to reposition itself. It is not easy for this place to become a financial or industrial center in the next few decades. However, with its rich culture, revolutionary tradition, deep community pride and never-ending aspiration to rise up, Cao Bang can completely choose a different path: the path of development for people, taking happiness as the ultimate goal and also the most civilized measure of management. There is no common development model for all lands, each locality is forced to choose a path suitable to its natural conditions, social structure and cultural identity.

Provincial Party Secretary Quan Minh Cuong presented books to delegates attending the conference.

Concluding the discussion, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Hai Hoa affirmed: With important clues, special attention from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Central scientists and historians, we will soon find the residential sites of Dong Son culture residents in Cao Bang land. Affirming the important geographical and political position of Cao Bang in national history; the origin of Thuc Phan will soon be clarified. At the same time, through the sharing about the orientation of developing happiness on the foundation of origin, it can be seen that this is not only a continuation of tradition but also a strong affirmation of a bright future, where history will be a solid launching pad to build a rich, civilized and happy Cao Bang, worthy of the role of the northern fence of the Fatherland.

On this occasion, the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities awarded a Certificate of Merit to Mr. Dam The Hoc (Cao Binh Cultural Heritage Association) for his many contributions in supporting the implementation of the task of "Investigation, research, scientific documentation and assessment of the value of relics and artifacts of the Dong Son culture period and the Au Lac state".

Before that, delegates visited and listened to explanations about the exhibition space of new discoveries about Dong Son culture in Cao Bang with more than 400 artifacts, typically some artifacts kept at the Provincial Museum warehouse and the collection of artifacts of Mr. Dam The Hoc (Cao Binh Cultural Heritage Association).

Hanh Nguyen - Son Tung

Source: https://tuyengiaocaobang.vn/index.php/tin-trong-tinh/toa-dam-khoa-hoc-van-hoa-dong-son-o-cao-bang-1923.html