In recent years, Sam Son City has paid special attention to the preservation of traditional cultural values during its socio -economic development. Thanks to investment in restoration and preservation, the system of historical sites, scenic spots, and intangible cultural heritage has been effectively utilized. This has contributed to improving the spiritual life of the people while also being exploited for tourism development.
The procession of the palanquin at the 2024 Prayer for Blessings Festival at Doc Cuoc Temple.
The land at the mouth of the Sam Son sea still preserves many valuable tangible and intangible cultural heritages. Prominent among them is the Sam Son Complex of Historical Sites and Scenic Spots, which was classified as a National Monument by the Ministry of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in Decision No. 313-VH/VP, dated April 28, 1962. This is a natural area with very diverse biodiversity (special-use forest). At the same time, there are many architectural works of historical and cultural value, such as the Doc Cuoc Temple located on Co Giai Island, the To Hien Thanh Temple, the Co Tien Temple, the Trong Mai Island... with dazzling legends and myths, associated with unique traditional festivals such as the Doc Cuoc Temple Festival, the Cau Ngu Festival, the Hon Trong Mai Love Festival... With these distinctive values, on December 31, 2019, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1954/QD-TTg on ranking the Sam Son complex of historical sites and scenic landscapes as a special national monument.
Located within the Sam Son National Special Monument Complex, the Hon Trong Mai (Rooster and Hen Islet) is a famous landmark. Situated on the gentle slope of Truong Le Mountain, Hon Trong Mai is a large, naturally formed rock formation that has existed for generations. A large, flat rock lies at the base, supporting two rock formations resembling a pair of birds. One of these rocks has a pointed top, reaching high like a rooster, while a smaller rock opposite it leans against the rooster, resembling a hen. Notably, Hon Trong Mai is also associated with a beautiful story of a young couple's unwavering love, a love that lasted through life and death, a love so profound that even fairies visiting the mortal world were moved to become a pair of rock birds, forever intertwined. Over time, Hon Trong Mai has stood majestically between heaven and earth, becoming a symbol of steadfast love and faithful affection. It is also a popular destination for tourists visiting beautiful Sam Son.
According to statistics, Sam Son City currently has 50 historical and cultural relics and scenic spots included in the inventory. Of these, 39 relics are classified (including 1 special national relic; 8 national relics: Doc Cuoc Temple, Co Tien Temple, To Hien Thanh Temple, Ca Lap Temple, De Linh Temple, the temple dedicated to King An Duong Vuong and Princess My Chau, Chua Kenh Stele, and Hon Trong Mai scenic spot); 30 provincial relics; 11 unclassified relics; and 5 relics recognized as tourist destinations.
To ensure that historical sites are restored and preserved, the city has mobilized resources from the entire society for conservation efforts. Accordingly, the total investment in the fields of culture, sports, and tourism for the period 2014-2024 across the entire area is 114,689 billion VND (including the budget allocated for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values). In addition, the city has also developed and implemented many mechanisms and policies to preserve cultural heritage, as well as to rationally and harmoniously resolve the balance between preserving and promoting historical and cultural heritage sites and socio-economic development. A typical example is the implementation of Conclusion No. 82-KL/TU, dated May 30, 2017, of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee on "Strengthening the leadership of Party committees at all levels on the work of preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage in Thanh Hoa province, 2017-2025"; Conclusion No. 02-KL/TU, dated November 21, 2016, on “Continuing to implement Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU, dated December 15, 2007, on “Continuing to innovate and improve the quality of some cultural fields in Sam Son town until 2020”; Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU, dated May 19, 2021, of the City Party Committee on promoting historical and traditional cultural values; absorbing the cultural essence of various regions and human culture, building a beautiful image of Sam Son people in the hearts of friends and tourists...
As a coastal locality, Sam Son held a strategically important position during the resistance wars against the French and Americans, as the enemy could land in Thanh Hoa province from the sea via the Sam Son gateway. Recognizing this crucial position, the people and soldiers of Sam Son participated in the fight against the enemy, contributing significantly in terms of manpower and resources to the glorious Dien Bien Phu victory (1954) and the liberation of the South and reunification of the country (1975). Among the contributions of the people and soldiers of Sam Son, the guerrilla fighters of Quang Tuong played a significant role in sinking the A-mi-o-danh-vin accompaniment ship in the Sam Son sea area. Female soldier Nguyen Thi Loi bravely sacrificed her life. To commemorate her contributions, in 2017, Sam Son City, in coordination with the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, erected a monument to the Heroine and Martyr Nguyen Thi Loi on Sam Son beach. The statue, carved from a single block of stone and standing 7.5 meters tall, depicts a French warship before it was sunk; it is situated within a 530 square meter area.
In 1960, Sam Son had the honor of welcoming President Ho Chi Minh. He stayed in Sam Son from July 17th to 19th, 1960. In 2017, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's first visit to Thanh Hoa, Sam Son City renovated the memorial plaque where President Ho Chi Minh visited and pulled nets with fishermen (Vinh Son neighborhood, Truong Son ward); restored the western base of Co Tien Temple, and redecorated the guesthouse of Co Tien Temple where President Ho Chi Minh stayed during his visit to Sam Son. Also in 2017, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the first Party branch - the predecessor of the city's Party Committee (September 2nd, 1947 - September 2nd, 2017), the city carried out land clearance, restoration, and renovation of the house where the first Party branch founding conference took place. The project was built on a total area of nearly 1,300 square meters with a total investment of over 5.146 billion VND. The main building is decorated as a place of worship for the first Party members who participated in the establishment of the Co Gang Party Branch; the side building is decorated as a traditional house displaying memorabilia, paintings, books, and newspapers about the formation and development of the city's Party Committee, and the achievements made in leading the construction, renovation, and development of Sam Son City today.
Besides tangible heritage, the city also focuses on preserving and promoting intangible cultural values. Sam Son City has 3 traditional cultural festivals at the city level and 24 traditional festivals at the commune and ward levels, all associated with historical sites. These festivals are held annually, mainly in the spring (except for the Banh Chung - Banh Giay Festival and the Cau Ngu - Boi Trai Festival, which are held in the 5th lunar month). These festivals have contributed to the preservation and promotion of the value of historical sites, as well as meeting the religious needs of the people and tourists. Between 2017 and 2023, the city successfully organized one cultural festival associated with a scenic spot, the Hon Trong Mai Love Festival (held annually); and one festival, the Cau Phuc Den Doc Cuoc Festival, was included in the national list of intangible cultural heritage. In addition, many communes and wards have revived festivals, folk games, traditional sports, etc., contributing to preserving the national cultural identity.
It can be said that historical, cultural, revolutionary relics and intangible cultural heritage in Sam Son City have been and are being preserved and their value promoted. This effectively serves to educate the local people about historical, cultural, and revolutionary traditions. At the same time, it becomes a resource for socio-economic development, contributing to building Sam Son into a national tourism center.
Text and photos: Tran Hang
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chu-trong-bao-ton-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-van-hoa-226025.htm
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