Cultural Identity of Ethnic Minorities:

The British Royal Family and the University of Natural Sciences-Hanoi hope that, with future research and survey trips, the system of caves

The cave system in Phong Nha-Ke Bang will be supplemented and extended and will be one of the longest and most beautiful cave systems not only in Asia but also in the world.

2.2.1.3. Biodiversity:

The characteristics of terrain, climate, hydrology and soil have made Phong Nha-Ke Bang one of the typical biodiversity centers of the Earth.

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land. According to the assessment of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Phong Nha-Ke Bang is located in the Northern Truong Son ecological region, one of the 238 most important ecological regions in the world. With its diversity, uniqueness and threats, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has been and is being ranked in the list of priority biodiversity conservation areas in the National Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan . In Phong Nha-Ke Bang, we can see the diversity of vegetation, flora and fauna.

- Diverse vegetation : In Phong Nha-Ke Bang area, evergreen closed forest covers up to 96.2% of the area of the National Park, of which primary forest with little impact accounts for 92.2% of the total area. It can be affirmed that Phong Nha-Ke Bang is a National Park with the largest coverage and proportion of primary forest in the system of special-use forests of our country. Forest vegetation in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has the following types and sub-types of vegetation:

+ Tropical humid evergreen closed forest on limestone mountains below 800m altitude with a total area of 110,000ha, accounting for 74.7% of the area of the National Park. It can be seen that almost the entire limestone mountain terrain here is covered with this type of forest, with the main vegetation being tropical trees. The forest here is divided into 3 distinct layers: Ecological layer, understory layer and herbaceous layer.

+ Lowland tropical evergreen closed forest on limestone mountains above 800m in altitude has an area of 12,600ha, accounting for 8.5% of the area of the National Park. This is a unique limestone mountain forest subtype in our country, because in Vietnam, most limestone mountain areas are below 800m above sea level. The vegetation here is mainly species typical of high mountains such as broadleaf trees.

+ Tropical moist evergreen closed forest on the mountain below 800m altitude with an area of 12,220 ha, accounting for 8.2% of the area of the National Park. Here, evergreen flora is common. Because the soil is relatively deep, thick, and moist, the vegetation grows quite well, with many trees with a diameter of over 1m.

- Diversity of flora : Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the meeting place of two flora systems of the South and the North of our country. Phong Nha-Ke Bang is the southernmost boundary of some northern plant species such as nghien, cho nuoc and also the northernmost boundary of some southern plant species such as dau de, dau dot tim. Diversity of flora here is shown in diversity of subspecies, diversity of plant genetic resources as well as diversity of plant resources.

+ Diversity of species composition: Through surveys of the flora in Phong Nha-Ke Bang, initially 1,762 species of vascular plants with 710 genera and 162 species were recorded. Of which, there are 23 families, 76 genera and 195 species of dinoflagellates; 6 families, 10 genera and 14 species of gymnosperms; and 133 families, 624 genera and 1,553 species of angiosperms.

+ Diversity of plant genetic resources: PN-KB is the distribution center of a number of narrow endemic plant species, with 13 species. In particular, there is Tau Da, a newly discovered large tree species of the Dipterocarpaceae family (see Table 4 in the Appendix). Among the species

According to statistics, there are 51 plant species considered to be at risk of extinction, of which 38 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book and 25 species are listed in the list of globally threatened species (see Table 5 in the Appendix).

+ Diversity of plant resources: According to statistics in Phong Nha-Ke Bang, there are over 800 species of resource trees, belonging to 7 groups of uses such as: timber group (with rare and valuable timber trees of high economic value such as rosewood, striped ebony, huynh, and rosewood...); resin oil tree group with 86 species (of which hard resin trees: 19 species, essential oil: 46 species, fatty oil: 21 species); medicinal tree group 186 species; edible tree group 156 species; wicker and fiber tree group 42 species; ornamental and shade tree group 93 species and dye tree group 54 species.

- Diverse fauna : The favorable habitat conditions of Phong Nha-Ke Bang not only create conditions for the emergence and development of the flora but also provide a safe place for animals to live, eat and reside. Initial survey results have helped to record 1,074 species of vertebrates belonging to 338 genera with 134 families, 43 orders; 352 species of invertebrates, of which the molluscs have 10 species belonging to 8 genera, 6 families and the arthropods have 292 species belonging to 5 classes (see Table 6 in the Appendix). In the fauna of Phong Nha-Ke Bang, there are 68 species listed in the Red Book of Vietnam (1994), 44 species are prioritized for global protection and listed in the IUCN Red Book of endangered animals (1997) (see Table 7 in the Appendix). The diversity of fauna in Phong Nha-Ke Bang is reflected in the diversity of mammal groups, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish groups and butterflies.

+ Diversity of mammal groups: The mammal class in Phong Nha-Ke Bang has been surveyed and found 140 species belonging to 64 genera, 31 families, 10 orders. Among the mammal species discovered in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, 35 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book, 19 species are listed in the IUCN Red Book 1997. Two newly discovered mammal species are the saola (see Table 8 in the Appendix). Phong Nha-Ke Bang has a relatively rich mammal fauna, many threatened species are concentrated here such as: tigers, bears, mountain goats, large muntjac, red wolves...

+ Diversity of bird groups: Initially, 302 species belonging to 57 families and 18 orders were recorded, of which 15 bird species were recorded in the Vietnam Red Book and 19 bird species need to be protected at the global level (IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, 1997) (see Table 9 in the Appendix).

+ Diversity of reptile and amphibian groups: Up to now, 99 reptile species belonging to 43 genera, 14 families, 3 orders and 47 amphibian species belonging to 9 genera, 6 families, 1 order have been recorded. In the reptile and amphibian group in Phong Nha-Ke Bang, 18 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book, 6 species are listed in the IUCN Red Book (see Table 10 in the appendix).

+ Diversity of fish groups: Compared to other conservation areas in Vietnam, Phong Nha-Ke Bang fish fauna has the largest number of species with 162 species belonging to 85 genera, 31 families and 11 orders. The richness of fish species in Phong Nha-Ke Bang is due to the presence of

complex terrain, many habitats and many isolated rivers and streams. Phong Nha-Ke Bang is the place with the most diverse freshwater fish composition in Vietnam with a freshwater fish diversity index 25 times higher than the whole country (162 species/4,000 km 2in Phong Nha-Ke Bang compared to 544 species/330,991 km 2in the whole country). There are 4 species of fish.

Narrow endemics found only in Phong Nha-Ke Bang and neighboring areas are Chele quangbinhensis, Chele quangbinhensis, Chele quangbinhensis and Phong Nha fish, of which the Phong Nha fish (Chele quangbinhensis) is a new species to science.

+ Diversity of butterfly groups: Initial research by the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center has recorded 261 butterfly species belonging to 11 families. Most butterfly groups in Vietnam are present in this region with the number of species accounting for 1/5 to 1/4 of the butterfly species in Vietnam.

Currently, to complete the dossier to submit to UNESCO to recognize Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park as a World Natural Heritage for the second time in terms of Biodiversity criteria , many domestic and international survey and research teams have searched for and discovered many new species of flora and fauna, rare and endangered species.

threatened with extinction. In 2005, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang, scientists discovered many more species of plants at high risk of extinction such as: Calocendrustropenstris Aver, Paphiopendilum concolor, Paphiopendilum malipoense, Paphiopendilum dianthum; discovered 10 new species of fish and 4 species of reptiles for science: Phong Nha gecko (Cyrtodactylus phongnhakebangensis), Calamaria thanh sp.n., Truong Son viper (Trimeresurus truongsonensis) and Tropidophorus noggei sp.n.); rediscovered after 50 years the species of horned viper (Trimeresurus cornutus).

Phong Nha-Ke Bang includes many important and significant habitats for biodiversity conservation and is home to many rare and endangered species of animals and plants. The forest cover in Phong Nha-Ke Bang has many types of rich and diverse vegetation, which is a typical example of vegetation on limestone mountains and is almost not seen in our country as well as in other countries in the region. This is an extremely favorable condition for developing types of tourism such as: eco-tourism, tourism combined with scientific research, bird watching, wildlife observation, trekking, adventure tourism...

2.2.2. Potential for cultural tourism

2.2.2.1. Historical-cultural relics:

In the PN-KB area, mountains, rivers, and landscapes intertwine; villages in mountains, mountains in villages, like a majestic and poetic picture. The limestone mountains overlap

This message has gone through thousands of years of exploitation and construction by indigenous people.

Many great historical and cultural values remain in many different forms. The complex of historical and cultural relics in Phong Nha-Ke Bang includes a system of prehistoric and early historical cultural relics, Cham cultural relics and ancient Vietnamese cultural relics, and historical relics of revolutionary struggles, especially during the resistance war against the US to save the country. Typical historical and cultural relics of each period include:

- Prehistoric period : The prehistoric period has archaeological relics of the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods such as Minh Cam site, Rao cave, Yen Lac cave.

+ Minh Cam site: This site was discovered and excavated by E. Patte (French) in 1922. In the cave, the burial of a child about 9 years old was found; some tools such as axes, shouldered stone adzes, stone carving tools; jewelry and pottery. Minh Cam site could have been both a burial site and a place of residence for residents of the Neolithic era.

+ Rao Cave Site: This site was discovered and excavated by H. Mansuy and J. Fromaget in 1923 and 1924. In the cultural layer of Rao Cave Site, there are many freshwater snail shells, mountain snails, and various animal bones. In the cave, there are also human remains and archaeological relics belonging to the late Neolithic period.

+ Yen Lac Cave: Yen Lac Cave was discovered and excavated by M. Colani in 1930. The cultural layer here is made of freshwater pearl shells mixed with many animal bones. In the cave, 301 stone tools belonging to the Hoa Binh culture and some artifacts from a later period such as rope-patterned pottery and pieces of grinding stone rings were found.

- Champa relics : The traces in Bi Ky Cave in Phong Nha Cave may show that this was a Cham sanctuary from the 11th century to the beginning of the 11th century. Through a survey in July 1995 by Hanoi National University, some observations were made as follows:

+ The typical unglazed rough pottery pieces of Champa pottery along with glazed pottery pieces, lotus petal patterns, date from the 10th to the 11th century. This is the last period of the Champa people in this area.

+ Cham bricks and traces of foundations and architectural materials show that there used to be a brick and stone architecture of the Cham people and this could be a cathedral of the Northern Champa region.

+ All these Cham relics and ruins must date back to the 11th century at the latest.

- Relic of Can Vuong Movement: After the failed attack on Hue Citadel, Ton That Thuyet escorted King Ham Nghi to the western mountains of Quang Binh. At

Here, King Ham Nghi issued the Can Vuong edict calling on the people to support the king and save the country. King Ham Nghi's base of resistance against the French at the end of the 19th century was located at Ma Rai mountain (Minh Hoa district).

- Historical relics of the Ho Chi Minh trail : During the resistance war against the US to save the country, the Ho Chi Minh trail through Quang Binh was the place that was most fiercely attacked and also the place that recorded the most glorious victories of our nation. Of the seven historical relics of the Ho Chi Minh trail recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as National Historical Relics, five are located in PN-KB. Including: Xuan Son-Phong Nha relic site with the famous Xuan Son ferry; Key points on Highway 20 "Quyet thang" with historical landmarks such as Cua Chu A, Ta Le tunnel, Phu La Nhich pass; Key points on Highway 12 such as Mu Gia pass, Cong Troi, Cha Lo, B+i Dinh; Caves in Hoa Thanh and Hoa Tien communes (Minh Hoa district) are where the Command of the 559th Corps is located, where troops are stationed, goods are hidden, and strategic reserves are stored; Hang 8 Youth Volunteers on Road 20 Quyet Thang.

2.2.2.2. Cultural identity of ethnic minorities:

In the Phong Nha-Ke Bang area, the main ethnic groups are the Chut, Bru-Van Kieu and a few Kinh people. The "Chut" ethnic group in Quang Binh includes the groups: Sach, May, Ruc, a rem, M+ Lieng with about 3,500 people distributed in 6 x+ in the two districts of Minh Hoa and Bo Trach. The name "Chut" means "Stone Curtain", "Stone Mountain". In the 60s of the 20th century, the groups of the Chut ethnic group were considered separate ethnic groups. By the end of 1973, the State recognized the groups of Sach, May, Ruc, a rem, M+ Lieng as the same ethnic group with the ethnic name "Chut". The Bru-Van Kieu ethnic group includes

Ethnic groups: Van Kieu, Khua, Ma Coong, Tri and So; mainly distributed in the communes of Thuong Trach, Tan Trach (Bo Trach district) and Dan Hoa (Minh Hoa district).

In a large living area with diverse living conditions, existing almost separately from each other, the ethnic minorities in Phong Nha-Ke Bang, although being agricultural residents, the economic biology of each ethnic group has different characteristics. The villages of ethnic minorities in Phong Nha-Ke Bang are often small in scale, some even have only 3 to 5 houses like some villages of the Ruc, A Rem, M+ Lieng. The general economic structure of the ethnic minorities in Phong Nha-Ke Bang includes the following forms: wet rice fields, slash-and-burn farming, animal husbandry, some secondary occupations and exploitation economy (hunting, fishing, gathering). However, food in daily meals is not mainly provided by animal husbandry and cultivation but thanks to hunting, fishing and gathering.

Previously, moving villages to establish new villages for ethnic minorities in

This is very arbitrary. Usually when the land around the village, natural resources are exhausted (like the trees are all gone; animals, birds, fish in the stream are poor, the land is barren...) or there are people in the village who die unexpectedly, there are continuous epidemics... then the people move the village to another place. When establishing a new village, the Village Chief has the decisive role. The Village Chief often consults with the Shaman and the Council of Village Elders and then synthesizes the opinions to come to the final decision.

Nowadays, with the policy of sedentarization of the Party and the State, with the support of domestic units, projects of government and non-government organizations, many villages of ethnic minorities have been built such as ß ß , ß n village of the Ruc people (Minh Hoa district); Ca Xen village, Chuoi village, Cao village of the M+ Lieng people (Minh Hoa district); km 39 village of road 20 of

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