People of Cat Ba Island
The people of Cat Ba Island come from many places, but mainly are Vietnamese, Chinese, and Cai Beo people. They mainly live by fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and commerce. The people of Cat Ba Island are hospitable, friendly, hardworking, and love freedom. They also have many unique customs, practices, and festivals, reflecting the spirit of the sea and the love for their homeland.
History of Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island has a long history, recorded from prehistoric times. Archaeological relics show that humans have continuously appeared on Cat Ba Island for over 300,000 years, when Cat Ba Island was still connected to the mainland. The artifacts, cultural layers excavated affirm the development of ancient cultures, such as Cai Beo culture, Halong culture, Dong Son culture, Sa Huynh culture…
In history, Cat Ba Island is also a place where many heroic battles of the Vietnamese people against foreign invasions took place. According to legend, the name Cat Ba is due to the women here taking care of logistics for the men fighting on a nearby island, named Cat Ong. During the resistance war against France and the United States, Cat Ba Island was also a military base and hiding place for many heroes and revolutionaries, such as Vo Nguyen Giap, Pham Van Dong, Nguyen Luong Bang…
Culture of Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island has many cultural relics, ancient culture, and folk culture, showing the diversity and richness of the island culture. Some notable relics include: the temple of the Ba, the temple of the Ong, the temple of the Water God, the ancient citadel of the Mac dynasty, caves containing bones and fossil organisms, the relic clusters of Bo Da – Ang Say, Ang Ma, Eo Bua…
In addition, Cat Ba Island also has many traditional festivals, imbued with the island’s identity, such as: the swimming festival, the boat racing festival, the dragon boat racing festival, the fishing festival… These festivals are not only an occasion for the people of Cat Ba Island to show their talents, health, solidarity, and honor the gods, but also an opportunity for tourists to participate and experience unique and attractive cultural activities.
Cat Ba Island is an ideal destination for tourists who want to explore and learn about the people, history, and culture of a beautiful and traditional island. Coming to Cat Ba Island, you will not only admire the wonderful natural landscape, but also have the opportunity to interact and learn many interesting and useful things about the unique and distinctive island culture.
