To prepare for building the specific plan of the research and collecting the River Culture involved in the Project “open the display space and river culture activities forward Cau River and Cau River Park from 23rd, April, 2013 to 5th, July, 2013”. The Museum carried out the explorations in some provinces: Cao Bang, Thai Binh, Hung Yen, Hai Phong. The explorations were focused on geographical features, hydrographic features,characteristics of the people, ethnic characteristics, economic activities, daily activities of the local residents, tangible culture, intangible culture, and some rituals related to religion of the River areas.
In Cao Bang, the research groups filmed, took documentary photos, made interviews and noted characteristics: people, culture, some activities in daily life and economy relevant to River (cultivation, fishing, irrigation…) in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district.
In Thai Binh, the groups researched systems of pond, lake,river, sea, the ecosystem at the estuary and coastal strips of Tien Hai and Thai Thuy; exploited materials, filmed, took photos, interviewed and noted information in Tien Hai district, researched the aquaculture (oyster, shrimp, crab) of the fishers in Dong Minh commune, Tien Hai province; explored some places like: Cua Lan temple (Ba temple) where people worship 4 southern sea gods (who are in charge of seaports) in Dong Minh commune, Tien Hai province; seaport Ba Lat, lighthouse Ba Lat; Con Vanh and some branches of river, the salt gland of aegiceras and parrots, mangrove swamps; Tan Son fishing port, Diem Dien town, Thai Thuy district, Tam Dong salt craft village, Thuy Hai commune, Thai Thuy district, the temple of Salt god in Quang Lang, Thuy Hai commune; Hong Giao temple festivel in Giao Nhat commune, Vu Thu district.
In Hung Yen, researchers explored the history of Hien Street, ancient and present life of local residents; historical monuments related to the ancient street; took photos and made film of historical works, cultural works.
In Hai Phong, the groups took photos, noted documentation, collected objects, interviewed the people, explored information related to: natural geographical features, systems of river, sea, natural conditions, environment in the coastal districts; Lap Le shipyard village in Thuy Nguyen; fishing village in Hoang Chau commune, Cat Hai island district; fish farming floating cage areas in Cat Beo Bay, Cat Ba town; Cat Hai fishing village festival.
The research and exploration groups gained 1,500 documentary photos, 16 tapes. They also transfered the documents into scientific records, edited tapes, records, and photos to display in the museum as objects. They are the valuable documentations of objects which serve the long scientific research of the museum.
