INCREDIBLE HISTORY
In 1995, the Archaeological Institute of Vietnam realized that the Phong Nha cave is perhaps one of the most important archaeological sites around. In 1899, a French missionary, Léopold Cadière, surveyed the customs and culture of the local inhabitants living along the Son River. In a letter to École Française d’Extrême-Orient, he stated that: “What remains here proves to be valuable for history. To keep it is to help science.”
It’s a lesser known fact that Central Vietnam, and Phong Nha in particular, was one of the most devastated parts of Vietnam during the American War. Phong Nha village suffered repeated bombings as it is home to one of the major parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The locals kept their fighting spirit alive and their will stronger than ever. Phong Nha is blessed with the world’s most enormous caves and the people from the village used some of these caves for shelter against the ruthless attacks. There were devastating bombings even on the caves. Despite all this, the people of Phong Nha could fight through adversity with the support of Mother Nature and overcome harsh times with intense determination, be it by using the mighty Son River for transportation of troops and supplies or finding shelter and storing weapons deep in the dense jungles and caves. Some of the locals even used unexploded bombs as decorations for their homes, just to remind themselves of their strength and determination. The natural beauty of Phong Nha could never be destroyed and it gave the people hope and happiness.
After the war, hunting and farming were the major occupations of the local people, which slowly helped in the resuscitation of the village. Phong Nha’s historical significance is worth knowing and it is best known through candid conversations with the local people.
LOCAL PEOPLE & LIFESTYLE
The sheer liveliness of the friendly people and the overall vigorous atmosphere of this place will make your travel experience in Phong Nha unlike any you’ve had before. The people of Phong Nha are the most respectful, tough and welcoming you’ll ever meet. From the day you arrive in this wonderland till the day you depart, you’ll be surrounded by positive vibes, genuine smiles and joyous laughter. You are sure to have a wonderful experience conversing with the local children, who aspire to be educated and spread their wings. Phong Nha wouldn’t be what it is today, if it wasn’t for the massive tourism it attracts. This is another major reason why the locals feel extremely happy and blessed to interact with the tourists and make sure they have the time of their lives in Phong Nha.
The men and women are both very hard-working and are grateful for whatever work they do. The occupations of the people are quite varied. Many are involved in fish farming, while others run restaurants, accommodation and tours for the tourists. The people of Phong Nha lead a very simple lifestyle.
CULTURE & DIVERSITY
Don’t be surprised if you get invitations for family dinners right off the bat. It’s part of the culture to be very welcoming towards guests and treat them like family. The people of Phong Nha remain connected with their family throughout their lives. The connection is such that you’ll see families with three generations living under the same roof – sitting at the same table, talking about their day, sharing laughter and meals. It is also very common to see groups of friends hanging out and drinking the popular local rice wine, which will be followed by a fun-filled night of karaoke! The friendly culture of Phong Nha is indeed reflected on a daily basis and you’re sure to find yourself becoming one with it soon.
You’d be surprised to know that the remote Phong Nha village is full of diversity. People from different communities gathered to form the single community of Phong Nha. Despite religious and cultural differences, the people live with incredible unity and mutual respect.
CELEBRATIONS
All local festivals are celebrated with passion and any tourist is more than welcome to be a part of the traditional festivities. Your Phong Nha travel experience will be made even better if you happen to visit during the boat race events that take place on the Son River, twice a year. In this event, you’ll get to witness the amazing comradery of the locals as they race their iconic Dragon Boats and you’ll feel immersed in the action.
