Halong Culture

Halong Bay is one of Vietnamese culture cradles with three consecutive histories, from 18,000 to 3,500 years ago, which included Soi Nhu Culture, Cai Beo culture and Ha Long culture.
Soi Nhu culture (from 18,000 to 7000 years ago) distributed mainly in the area of limestone islands of Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Besides, it also distributed in coastal caves. The typical sites: Me Cung, Thien Long, Tien Ong…

Living method of Soi Nhu culture residents was collecting shellfish, fruits... Accumulating of cultural layer consisted of mountain (Cyclophorus) and stream (Melania) and several other species of freshwater mollusks.
Compared to the Hoa binh- Bac Son Culture in the same time, the Soi Nhu culture had a model of more culturally diverse, richer, because the livelihoods of residents which  has more marine elements.
Cai Beo Culture (from 7000 to 5000 years ago) – is the hyphen between Soi Nhu culture and Ha Long culture. The typical sites: Cai Beo and Ha Giat, Giap Khau ... distributed sheltered bays on the coast, leaning against the mountain, which is mostly limestone.
Livelihoods of residents was main in stream, Cai Beo culture are exploited aquatic animals (crabs, fish, mollusks) combined with hunting animals and gathering of wild fruits. Cai Beo archaeological evidence is one confirmed case of the Vietnamese ancient ancestors had begun to conquer the open sea and ocean exploitation and has created a culture that special nuance.

In Early period: As a direct result of the Holocene high sea waves (about 6000-5000 years ago). This mutation destroys the habitat of Cai Beo culture residents, making it apart of residents to move to the northeast and the high ground Figure (crabs, fish, mollusks) in combination with hunting animals and gathering of wild fruits. Cai Beo archaeological evidences are one confirmed case of the Vietnamese ancient ancestors who had begun to conquer with the sea and explore ocean and has created a culture that is special nuance.
At this early stage they created the Ha Long culture. Living method of Halong residents in early stage included: hunting, gathering, farming, fiber crops, fruits and vegetables, increasing sea mining, developing ceramic crafts and turntable manufactured stone tools.
In Late period: as a result of rising sea levels and then the sea gradually withdraw. When the sea was back, residents of Ha Long culture shift early stage residential reverse. According to tide, they are reaching out to the sea. Locations of residents residing Ha Long culture relatively late stage abundance, including caves, coastal foothills, sand, the steps and the plain old. The typical sites: Bai Tu Long hang, hang in Soi Nhu, Ngoc Vung...
In Halong Culture, the living method of residents has the basically late stage which associated with the marine environment with technical and stone tools crafted pottery quite perfect, became characteristic of Ha Long culture. Those were: ceramic rope, writing brush, writing incised, axes and four plays with hiccups. Ha Long Culture is a period in the premise is particularly important contribution to developing Vietnam ancient civilizations.

The location is particularly important, since the twelfth century (1149) during the reign of King Ly Anh Tong, Van Don trading port was established and quickly developed into exchange places, bustling during a time length from the Ly, Tran and Le. This is the first international trading port of Vietnam.
In the history of national construction and defense of Vietnamese people, Halong Bay is a place to mark the heroic deeds of the people from the tenth century to the twentieth century: Ngo Quyen defeated the Chinese army (in 938), defeating Le Complete Song (in 981), Tran Hung Dao defeated the Mongol army (in 1288) and two resistance wars against French colonialism, imperialist invasion and contribute to safeguarding peace and the fatherland.
Currently,  in  Halong Bay area has many historical - cultural places, particularly, the fishing community on the Gulf fishing village still retains the culture, unique traditions of Halong people such  as folklore singing, wedding songs and other traditional ceremonies.
In short, besides the natural beauty of Ha Long Bay was recognized as the world's wonders, the value of Ha Long Culture and history are also important factors to attract tourists to explore this land.

By Gray line Halong