Quang Tri: Harnessing historical and cultural relics for tourism development

Quang Tri Province is committed to transforming its rich historical and cultural relics into key tourist destinations.

The region is abundant with invaluable historical and cultural sites that offer tremendous potential for tourism growth. By preserving and enhancing these relics, Quang Tri aims to attract a growing number of visitors and bolster its tourism industry. This strategic approach reflects the province’s dedication to leveraging its heritage for economic and cultural advancement.

Tourists explore the Special National Relic of the Two Sides of Ben Hai River - Hien Luong Bridge. Photo: Tu Linh

According to Le Minh Tuan, Director of the Quang Tri Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the province of Quang Tri has been a significant site of sacrifice and heroism, with many of the nation’s talented people laying down their lives on this historic land. Today, Quang Tri is home to 72 martyrs' cemeteries, including two national cemeteries, which collectively hold more than 55,300 graves. There are also “graveless cemeteries,” where the remains of soldiers have become one with the soil.

The land is rich with history, boasting over 500 historical and cultural relics that have been carefully protected, preserved, and developed. These sites are not only well-known locally but also evoke a deep sense of peace and reflection. Notable examples include the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Doc Mieu Military Base, the Two Sides of Ben Hai River - Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Road 9 National Martyrs’ Cemetery, Khe Sanh Combat Base, and Ta Con Airport, among others.

At the Hien Luong-Ben Hai Special National Relic, Nguyen Thi Trang Thu, a tourist from Hanoi, shared that although she has traveled to many places, she had never experienced such profound emotions as when learning about the peace story of the Quang Tri people. The Hien Luong Bridge, a powerful symbol of this history, deeply moved her during her visit. She came to Quang Tri to attend the 2024 Festival for Peace and felt a deep sense of reverence as she crossed the historic bridge from the North end to the South end.

Le Thi To Hoai, Head of the Management Board of the Hien Luong-Ben Hai Special National Relic, observed a significant influx of both domestic and international tourists to the site. The rich historical stories of the Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River, coupled with the Festival for Peace, have captivated visitors, fostering admiration and respect for the indomitable spirit and loyalty of the people of Quang Tri and the entire nation in their struggle for independence. Visitors also gain a deeper appreciation for the values of peace through these experiences.

Similarly, other significant relics in the area, such as the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel (Special National Relic), Vinh Moc Tunnels (Special National Relic), Ta Con Airport (National Relic), and Gio An Ancient Irrigation System (National Relic), not only preserve and teach about local traditions and cultural heritage but also serve as major tourist attractions.

Recognizing the immense value of these relics, the province is committed to developing them into special tourism products. The development of tourism at these sites, including the creation of dedicated tours and routes, is a key focus for the province.

The 2024 Festival for Peace, themed “Joining Hands to Create a Peaceful World,” marks the first time the province has organized this national-scale event with international reach. This festival aims to showcase Quang Tri on both domestic and global tourism maps and to elevate the annual July gratitude festival. Its primary goal is to boost Quang Tri’s appeal to a diverse range of tourists, enhancing the region’s tourism development.

The festival has had a remarkable impact on tourism. According to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Quang Tri welcomed approximately 712,000 visitors in the first half of July 2024, representing an increase of over 105% compared to the same period last year. Of these, 273,000 were overnight visitors, and social revenue reached an estimated VND577 billion (over US$23 million). The opening night of the Festival for Peace attracted more than 45,000 spectators, while the “Taste of Sunland” culinary festival drew over 32,000 attendees.

In the first six months of 2024, Quang Tri welcomed an estimated 1.4 million visitors, a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among these, international visitors exceeded 110,000. Social revenue also surpassed VND1,062 billion (over US$42.5 million), with specialized revenue reaching VND471 billion (over US$18.8 million). This impressive growth clearly demonstrates that the province’s strategy of leveraging its historical and cultural relics to boost tourism is a successful and effective approach.

According to Nguyen Duc Tan, Director of the Quang Tri Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Agency, the provincial People’s Council enacted Resolution No.167/NQ-HDND on December 9, 2021. This resolution outlines a plan for investing in the conservation and prevention of degradation of Quang Tri Province’s historical and cultural relics from 2022 to 2025. The goal is to harness the strengths of these relics to drive tourism development, economic growth, and social stability. Notably, the investment and restoration efforts will focus on enhancing protection, management, and promotion of these relics, ensuring that their significance reaches a broader audience of tourists.

“Despite Quang Tri’s efforts to invest in and develop tourism products based on its historical and cultural relics, the region still lacks new offerings that match its potential,” according to Tan. To fully foster the value of these relics, innovative and creative approaches are needed to attract more visitors. Additionally, effective policies, mechanisms, and skilled tourism staff are crucial for fostering connections with other provinces and cities to better promote the region’s existing assets.

Tu Linh - Jenna Duong