INTRODUCTION 1 Rationale Research on sea and island issues has recently received great attention of natural sciences, social sciences and etc. Vietnam has a coastline of over 3260 kilometer long, the coastal region has spread over territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone. In coastal and island environment, local communities have created valuable cultural heritage which should be preserved and promoted. The issue of conservation and promotion traditional culture, including regional traditional festivals, has set out important tasks to contribute to spiritual foundation of the society. It has long been recognized that culture plays the role of a foundation for development of a nation. Deep imprints of history, social-economic life, community psychology, customs, traditions and beliefs ... all can be found in culture, especially in traditional festivals. Entering the XXI century, in line with the trend of globalization and international integration, our Party identified traditional culture as a resource to create motivation for building an advanced Vietnamese culture deeply imbued with its national identity, contributing to promotion of socio- economic development in a sustainable manner. However, in many places, traditional culture (including traditional festivals) is not always respected. In somes areas, restoration of the old is performed disorderly without proper orientation, resulting in deforming precious cultural heritage. Even, national culture values are turned back on, and considered conservative, and outdated. Therefore, it is necessary to keep an objective and scientific attitude towards cultural heritages, including festivals. It is increasingly proposed that the XXI will be "The century of ocean". Resolution of the fourth Conference of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, session X (February 2007) on "Vietnam Sea Development Strategy until 2020" also noted the above comment and aimed to achieve the goal of "extending its reach over the sea further". And therefore, "ordinary eyes" should be replaced by "ocean vision". To have "ocean vision", it is the terrain, climate, ecological environment, customs, habits and etc. of coastal inhabitants that can not be missed in study. They are among factors that establish and develop different cultural regions. Quang Ninh is an ancient land, which is demonstrated by archaeological studies, and collection of old documents. Quang Ninh gathers full characteristics of our national ecosystem, featured by mountains, plains, especially striking biodiversity of the sea. Quang Ninh has more than 20 ethnic groups, each of whom has typical culture, all making up richness and diversity of a unique cultural region. Quang Ninh's terrain is mainly mountainous (accounting for four-fifth of the total area). However, when its comes to Quang Ninh, many people think 1 right of the sea, because this place has a large island zone with 250 km of coastline and more than 2000 small and large islands in Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long. Ha Long Bay has been recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage for twice, and in 2007, it was in the list of voting 7 natural wonders of the world. However, Quang Ninh is not only associated with beautiful beaches, majestic and poetic landscapes, but Quang Ninh province is also known for historic-cultural relics, unique architecture, customs, traditions, beliefs, folklore and diverse, and special system of traditional festivals outstanding for a coastal and island cultural area. Quang Ninh is a coastal province located in the key economic triangle of the North region (Hanoi-Haiphong-Quang Ninh), and is one of the four Vietnam's tourism centre. Therefore Quang Ninh province has great advantages in socio-economic development strategy of the northern provinces in particular and of the country in general. Therefore, from the point of view of geography - culture, the author selected the topic "Marine, coastal and island culture of Quang Ninh (through research on traditional festivals)" for the research thesis. The study of the subject will contribute to clarification of outstanding features, diversification, and richness of traditional festivals ofQuang Ninh in the history and at present. Results of the study will be a scientific basis contributing to orientation of cultural development plan, creation of a stable and sustainable social environment, including the exploitation of traditional festivals as a cultural resource for social-economic development of Quang Ninh in particular, of the country in general in the period of industrialization and modernization promotion of the country. 2 Research objectives and mission: 2.1. Research objectives To gain in-depth awareness of constituent elements and cultural features of Quang Ninh coastal and island zone. 2.2. Research mission - To study on theoretical background and practices related to marine, coastal and island culture of Quang Ninh. - To conduct a survey on marine, coastal and island zones of Quang Ninh, and especially to participate in traditional festivals. - To describe traditional festivals of Quang Ninh coastal and island zones in all three groups: internal field, coastal and island festivals to clarify involvement of internal field and marine elements. - To clarify basic characteristics of traditional festivals in Quang Ninh through comparison with other island zones in the Northern and Central region. 3 Objects and scopes of the study 3.1. Objects of the study: The object of the research is traditional festivals of Quang Ninh coastal and island zone. 2 3.2. Scope of the research : - In term of space: The topic primarily studies traditional festivals in marine, coastal and island zone of Quang Ninh province. However during the research process, the author refer to a number of typical sea-related festivals of provinces, and cities in northern coastal regions such as Hai Phong, Thai Binh and some localities in the Central region to find out similarities and differences among traditional festivals in Quang Ninh and those of other regions. - In term of time: The thesis conducted survey on traditional festivals of current sea and island zone of Quang Ninh . The survey data were collected in 7 years (from 2007 to 2013). Based on the study results, comparison with coastal traditional festivals before 1954 and material of the predecessors, it can be seen that traditional elements have still been reserved in present festivals. 4 Study methodology: - Inter-disciplinary approach: The issue is approached from geographical, historical, economic, cultural, and social aspects of Quang Ninh province. - Fieldwork method of Ethnology: The author particularly appreciated and applied fieldwork method to observe, get involved in cultural activities of local residents for the purpose of survey and actual description of phenomena in traditional festivals to collect the most accurate and updated information sources. Besides, observation, interviews, exchange of ideas to gather information on issues related to traditional festivals of coastal and island zone are also performed. - Method of analysis-synthesis is employed to study in depth of the research object. - Comparative method to point out the similarities and differences between culture of Quang Ninh coastal and island zone and others'. 5. New contributions of the thesis - Classification of coastal traditional festivals in Quang Ninh. - Description of internal field elements and marine culture in traditional festivals of Quang Ninh sea and island zone. - In addition to access to published documents, the research topic will also unveil some new materials. - Outline of some typical characteristics of QN sea and island area and comparison with those of other areas in the Northern and Central region. - Results of the study can be used as a reference for regional culture studies and geographical - cultural book. 6 Study design In addition to Introduction, Conclusion, References and Appendices, main contents of the thesis are presented in Chapter 4: Chapter 1: Research overview, theoretical background, and general introduction of traditional festival of marine, coastal and island zone of Quang Ninh Chapter 2: Internal field element in the marine, coastal and island culture of Quang Ninh embodied by traditional festivals 3 Chapter 3: Marine element in the marine, coastal and island culture of Quang Ninh embodied by traditional festivals Chapter 4: Characteristics of marine, coastal and island culture of Quang Ninh Chapter 1: RESEARCH OVERVIEW, THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INTRODUCTION OF TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS OF MARINE, COASTAL AND ISLAND ZONE OF QUANG NINH 1.1. Research overview of issues related to the research topic 1.1.1. Research works on marine culture of the Northern region It can be affirmed that study on traditional festivals of North Coastal region has not been as greatly concerned as those of the Central and Southern region of Vietnam. Thus, documents on these issues are not many. Typically, there is one article of such following authors: Diep Trung Binh wrote an article about "Some features of fishermen's lives of North East region of Vietnam”; Nguyen Thanh had an article named, "Reo Ong Festival of Quang Lang village"; Do Lan Phuong had a work: "Red River estuary's culture as a form of marine culture of Vietnam (through study on two communes in Nam Dinh and Thai Binh)"; in 2012, Ph.D. thesis of Le Thanh Tung named"Traditional festivals of Hai Phong coastal inhabitants and their changes in current period". 1.1.2. Research works on marine culture of Central