Waiting from Dong Duong
Within the 5.3-hectare protected area of the Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery national special relic in Binh Dinh Bac (Thang Binh), there are still 11 houses, 112 graves, and large areas of farmland, forest land, and annual crops.
Each year, Thang Binh district spends 20 million VND to clear the area around the gate of Thap Sang Tower and the road leading to the historical site. Specifically for Thap Sang Tower, the Provincial People's Committee has allocated funds to build a metal support structure to replace the wooden support that was damaged by natural disasters from 2013 to the present.
Efforts to protect the monument stopped there, on the ground, for 13 long years. The Bright Tower Gate is severely deteriorating, with bricks and mortar falling off, and is in danger of collapsing if timely protective measures are not taken.
Mr. Vo Van Hung, Chairman of the Thang Binh District People's Committee, said that the District People's Committee has coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Provincial Management Board of Historical Sites and Scenic Spots to facilitate a delegation of experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey and conduct an initial assessment of the current situation and determine the direction for the conservation and restoration of the Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery.
"Thang Binh proposes that the province pay attention to establishing specific mechanisms, plans, and directions for surveying, preserving, and restoring the Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery, a special national historical site, in order to promote the value of the site."
Initially, we request that the provincial departments and agencies provide guidance and support for the surveying, compensation, and land clearance of the core area of the historical site (approximately 5.2 hectares) and the issuance of land use rights certificates for the site.
"Although the Provincial People's Committee has agreed in principle to provide financial support, due to the provisions of the Law, the land clearance project cannot be considered an independent project, so it cannot be implemented according to the principle," Mr. Hung said.
Urgent need to protect historical sites.
Representatives from the Management Board of Historical Sites and Scenic Spots said that, regarding the national historical site of Chien Dan Tower, the unit is actively preparing documents to advise the Provincial People's Committee to propose to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to implement restoration. As for the current exhibition hall, it is quite cramped, and the protective fence around it is rusted in many places.
Lack of appeal and poor connectivity with regional destinations have resulted in sparse visitor numbers at some national historical sites, a common situation. Mr. Nguyen Minh Nam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Tam Ky City, stated that the Ky Anh tunnel complex is one of the three largest tunnel complexes in the country, with a length of 32km. The Ky Anh tunnel complex was recognized as a national historical site in 1997 and has been a provincial-level tourist destination since October 2023.
During the period 2017-2021, Tam Ky constructed many facilities such as a reception house, restrooms, an exhibition hall, landscaping at the entrance to the tunnels, a canopy over the entrance to the Ong Tan tunnel, a drainage tunnel leading to the water ditch, a haystack tunnel, a parking lot, and greenery in the memorial area near the reception house of the Ky Anh tunnel complex, and the Dam River boat dock in front of Vinh Binh communal house. Simultaneously, investment was made in renovating Thach Tan communal house.
Some projects have completed investment procedures but have not yet been implemented, such as the urgent restoration and renovation of the house of martyr Pham Sy Thuyet, the tunnel from the house of martyr Pham Sy Thuyet to the Dam River wharf, Mr. Ky's well, and the underground tunnel in the Thach Tan village stadium area... Tam Ky also plans to renovate the area with the banyan tree, improve the lotus pond, create a landscape, invest in a reception house, and build three new concrete road sections to connect traffic.
In 2024, Tam Ky City plans to invest in tourism infrastructure, promoting the Ky Anh tunnel complex in conjunction with Bai Say - Song Dam. “The city will select sections of the tunnels for restoration, creating a square in Ky Anh to form a tourist destination, connecting with Song Dam. We plan to develop community tourism linked to approximately 25 households engaged in the mat weaving craft,” informed Mr. Nguyen Minh Nam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Tam Ky City.
Following his on-site inspections in various localities, Provincial Party Secretary Luong Nguyen Minh Triet requested that urgent solutions be devised to effectively protect national monuments.
Specifically, regarding the Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism proactively researched and coordinated with the local authorities to advise on resolving issues related to land records and procedures at the Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery historical site.
At the Chien Dan Tower relic site, it is necessary to consider promoting the digitalization of the relic, advertising to attract tourists, creating appeal for this national relic, and urgently submitting a dossier requesting the restoration of the tower blocks.
Regarding the Ky Anh tunnels, the Provincial Party Secretary stated that much work remains to be done to transform them into a tourist destination. He requested that Tam Ky focus on preserving and maintaining traditional crafts to support community tourism around the site, prepare the necessary conditions for connecting with the Dam River and Tam Thanh beach, and diversify tourist destinations.
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