Source: Documentary photos

In the old days, Quang Binh was known as a place of economic and socio-cultural mixture among the Northern, Central and Southern regions of the country and has a long-standing historical and cultural tradition. The archeological sites discoverod in this land displayed an alternation of Dong Son and Sa Huynh, Dang Trong (south region of Vietnam) and Dang Ngoal (north region of Vietnam), Thang Long and Phu Xuan cultural elements. This alternation gradually developed into a unified trend in development stages of Quang Binh's history.

In the development process of the nation's history, not only does Quang Binh have a long-standing history but it has also undergone many ups and downs. "Nearly in any history period, Quang Binh always had to stand at the forefront of the country as a sacred mission" (Nguyen Khac Thai, 2002). In order to accomplish this mission, the people of Quang Binh have bravely and steadfastly devoted their human and material resources to the cause of building and defending the nation, leaving many monuments and names recorded in the history.

Historical data also shows that Quang Binh played an important part in the formation and development of the nation. Thousands of years ago, Quang Binh was part of the land belonging to Viet Thuong region, one of the 15 regions of the Van Lang state in Hung King period. Centuries later, our country was colonized by various Chinese feudal dynasties and turned into their districts. The small land of Quang Binh at times belonged to Cuu Chan district under Trieu Da's dynasty, at times belonged to Nhat Nam district under the Han dynasty. In the first century AD, Quang Binh was a remote area of a prosperous state in the South, with a geographical area stretching from South Hoanh Son to the southernmost point of Central Vietnam, which was Lam Ap state (later called Hoan Vuong, Chiem Thanh, Cham Pa). It was this factor that contributed to the diversity and richness of Quang Binh's history and culture. The Champa Kingdom built here many military citadels and ramparts, vestiges of which still remains, such as Hoan Vuong rampart (in Quang Trach district), Ke Ha citadel (Bo Trach district), Ngo Dynasty citadel (in Le Thuy district).

In 1069, Ly Thuong Kiet brought his army to expand the country's territory southwards, recuperated 3 prefectures, namely Bo Chinh, Dia Ly and Ma Linh. Since then, the area of the then Viet Thuong region (including Quang Binh) returned to the territory of Dai Viet. In 1075, Ly Thuong Kiet carried out a reform of the management system for the remote areas to cope with hostile forces, expanded the country's territory southwards, mobilized people, established hamlets and compiled maps. Since then, Quang Binh has existed stably in the heart of Dai Viet nation.

In the centuries that followed, the Tran dynasty (1225 - 1400), Ho dynasty (1400 - 1407), Later Tran dynasty (1407 - 1419), Early Le (1428 - 1527), Mac dynasty (1527 - 1529), Later Le dynasty (1533 - 1788) successively expanded their territories, sent people to develop and settle in new land areas from the south of Ngang Pass southwards (Fig. 1.5). In 1604, for the first time in history, in the land area of Dia Ly prefecture, the Nguyen Lords established a new administrative unit which was named Quang Binh prefecture. Since then, the name Quang Binh has existed until today.

Source: Documentary photos

During this historical period, Quang Binh witnessed the Trinh-Nguyen civil war that lasted for over two centuries Gianh river serving as the boundary separating Dang Trong (the South) and Dang Ngoai (the North). The country’s narrowest land strip of the country - from Ngang Pass to Ha Co - became a catastrophic battlefield. In 1788, Quang Trung Emperor ordered troops to advance for the second time, wiping out 290,000 Manchu troops and reunifying the country. The country by the Gianh River was terminated since then.

Under the Nguyen Dynasty, an independent administrative unit named Quang Binh municipality under the dynasty was established on the land of Quang Binh. In 1831, Emperor Minh Mang officially named this administrative unit Quang Binh province.

In 1858, the Asian fleet of France and Spain opened fire on Da Nang, starting the war of aggression. After the fall of Hue citadel, King Ham Nghi was escorted by Ton That Thuyet to Son Phong (Quang Tri), issued the Can Vuong Movement declaration to call on scholars and people to help the King save the country. Later on, King Ham Nghi went to the mountainous area west of Quang Binh to build up a revolutionary base against the French colonialists. People in many localities in Quang Binh supported the Can Vuong movement by joining the resistance forces against the French and achiveved many feats which were recorded in the history.

On July 19, 1885, the French colonialists invaded Quang Binh. Quang Binh's army and people bravely stood up with the army and people of the whole country to seize power in 1945 and then waged a resistance war against the French, gaining complete victory in 1954.

The peace lasted not long before the United States sent troops into Vietnam (1964-1972). Since then, the land of Quang Binh became the front line in the resistance war against the US. The people of Quang Binh contributed human and material resources, endured countless losses and sacrifice to join people in the rest of the country in liberating the South and reunifying the country.

After returning to Dai Viet, Quang Binh has changed its name many times: Lam Binh (1075), Tan Binh (1375), Tay Binh (1402), Tien Binh (1600), Quang Binh prefecture (1604), Quang Binh province (1831) and finally Quang Binh province under the Democratic Republic regime since 1945.

During the Nguyen Dynasty, there were well-known figures who glorified the land of Quang Binh, such as Duong Van An, Nguyen Huu Hao, Nguyen Ham Ninh etc. Quang Binh also contributed talented people whose names were recorded in the history, such as Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh, who had the merit of exploring and establishing an extensive land area in the South of the country; Vo Nguyen Giap, a talented General and great cultural figure in the Ho Chi Minh era.

In 1976, the three provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien merged into Binh Tri Thien province. On July 1, 1989, Quang Binh province was re-established, having its original geographical boundary and name again.

Source: Documentary photos

Regarding administrative structure, Quang Binh has 6 districts, namely Tuyen Hoa, Minh Hoa, Quang Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Ninh, Le Thuy, Ba Don town and Dong Hoi city.

Quang Binh's population as of 2019 is 895,423 most of whom are Kinh ethnic group (accounting for over 97% of the total population). Ethnic minorities in Quang Binh include two main groups: the Chut, Bru-Van Kieu (Fig. 1.6) and some groups of the Muong, Thai, Tay etc. with 26,296 people (accounting for roughly 2.94% of the province's population). The community of ethnic minorities live mainly in mountainous, relatively isolated areas in valleys by the rivers and streams which enable easy access to water sources and fertile land in the west of Quang Binh.
Religions in Quang Binh consist mainly of Buddhism and Christianity. A number of old pagodas, temples and shrines worshipping folk deities have been renovated and have become gathering places for spiritual and cultural activies that  attract local people and tourists' attention, such as Pho Minh Pagoda (Duc Ninh commune, Dong Hoi city), Non Pagoda on the top of Than Dinh mountain (Truong Xuan commune, Quang Ninh district), Princess Lieu Hanh Temple at the foot of Ngang Pass (Quang Dong commune, Quang Trach district), Hoang Phuc pagoda in Le Thuy district.

Christianity was introduced to Quang Binh around 1619-1820. Many Catholic churches are still standing in the villages along Gianh river (in Quang Trach district) and Son river (Bo Trach district).

Quang Binh has cultural values handed down from generation to generation. Quang Binh's folklore treasures are diverse, rich and unique, including folklore literature, folklore culture and art, traditional festivals, customs and habits... Each and every countryside area in Quang Binh has folklore activities deeply imbued with its local identity, such as: Dum singing, Sac Bua singing, Medicine chanting in Minh Hoa; Kieu singing, Nha Tro singing, Nhan Agai chanting, Hui chanting in Quang Trạch; Bong dance, Cheo Can singing, Harvest festival in Dong Hoi, Ho Khoan chanting, repounding festival, Ve, Ly singing in Le Thuy, Thuong Co, Khuong Ha, etc; Bai choi festival, March full moon festival in Minh Hoa district, Drum beating festival of the Ma Coong (Van Kieu) ethnic people in Thuong Trach commune, Bo Trach district.

As a land with the mixture and interference of major cultures of the country, since ancient times, Quang Binh has carried a distinguished cultural identity. This has contributed to nurturing a rich spiritual life. This is also the motivation for Quang Binh people to overcome the ups and downs of history and difficulties and challenges that exist in every era.

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