although situated in the centre of the red river delta, in the past, thái bình was considered an island bounded by three larger rivers, and is the only province never to have been merged or separated. this position gives the people of thái bình a quite distinct culture. thái bình is the homeland of "hát chèo" opera (in khuốc village, phong châu commune, đông hưng district) and water puppetry (in nguyên xá commune, đông hưng district). thái bình people are noted for their practical and clever character.