Cinematic effects evoke memories.
When the film "Red Rain" was released, many viewers were deeply moved. The story of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 81 fierce days and nights at Quang Tri Citadel is not only a historical film, but also an emotional "invitation" for Vietnamese people and international friends to visit this land. From the screen to real life, the wave of tourists flocking to Quang Tri after the film was likened to a "cinematic effect of rediscovering memories."
If Central Vietnam is considered the narrowest strip of land in the country, then Quang Tri is the narrowest part of Central Vietnam, a place where "every inch of land is worth an inch of blood." Along National Highway 1A, landmarks such as the Ancient Citadel, Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River, Truong Son Martyrs' Cemetery, Lao Bao Prison, and Vinh Moc Tunnels have become destinations of immense spiritual significance.
In particular, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Thach Han River, Truong Son Cemetery, and Hien Luong Bridge have become the focal points of "return home" tours in 2025, attracting hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors. They come not only to sightsee but also to light incense in tribute, release lanterns on the Thach Han River, and listen to stories about the young soldiers who perished there.
The immense impact of "Red Rain" has made tourists eager to visit, to "touch" the tragic milestones of the nation, and to see firsthand the place where the fiercest battles of the summer of 1972 took place.
In early October 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri province, in coordination with the Quang Tri Provincial Tourism Association, organized a survey program titled "Red Rain - A Journey of Memories of Quang Tri," starting from the General Vo Nguyen Giap Memorial House, passing through the Vinh Moc Tunnels, the General Secretary Le Duan Memorial Area, to the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and the Thach Han River flower-releasing dock. These are all typical "red addresses" that attract a large number of tourists on their journey of gratitude and remembrance in Quang Tri. Each location unfolds like a film reel in real life, allowing visitors to "touch history."
"Red Rain" has opened a new direction for Vietnamese cinema and tourism in general, and Quang Tri in particular: bringing historical sites into films, and then bringing the films back to the sites. Scenes filmed at the Quang Tri Citadel, the Thach Han River, and the Truong Son Cemetery are realistically portrayed, evoking national pride. From the screen to real life, the Quang Tri Citadel is being vividly recreated as a "film set of memories."
It is these images that make tourists want to visit, take real photos, hear the real sound of the ancient citadel bells, and feel the continuity between the past and the present. From there, "journeys back" tours are no longer short trips, but spiritual journeys – where young people learn life lessons, and older people find peace in their memories. From films, audiences step into real life, transforming emotions into action, turning cinematic memories into vivid travel experiences.
Many international delegations from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Thailand, and other countries come here for friendship exchange programs, planting "peace" trees, and offering incense in remembrance. Many veterans who fought in the war return, bringing flowers and tears. Tourism not only brings revenue but also serves as a cultural bridge, helping to heal the wounds of war.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Mai, a tourist from Hanoi, shared emotionally after visiting the ancient citadel: “Standing amidst this sacred space, listening to the stories of the 81 days and nights of fire and smoke, I shed tears. The film “Red Rain” helped me understand more, but only by coming here in person can I truly see the loss and sacrifice of so many generations. Walking beside Hien Luong Bridge – a symbol of the division and reunification of the country – I felt like I was living in a part of the glorious history of our nation.”
British tourist Michael Thompson shared that he watched the movie "Red Rain" with subtitles at the cinema and decided to visit Vietnam: "I wanted to see firsthand where the film was shot. Here, I clearly feel the miraculous vitality of a country that has experienced war but still maintains a spirit of peace and compassion." These emotions are not only personal feedback but also proof of the humanistic values that Quang Tri tourism is striving for: tourism that touches the heart.
War memories - the yearning for peace
According to tourism experts, Quang Tri province has a golden opportunity to develop historical and spiritual tourism. To attract tourists, the province has developed themed tourism routes such as "Remembering the old battlefields and comrades," "The legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail," and "The Central Vietnam Heritage Route," creating a chain of interconnected tourism products with historical and cultural depth. New projects such as "War Memory Space - The Peace Road," "Night of Gratitude at the Ancient Citadel," and "Thach Han River Lantern Festival" promise to become tourism highlights in the near future.
The province is promoting the construction of the National Museum "Memories of War and the Thirst for Peace," with a total projected investment of 1,000 billion VND, to be completed between 2026 and 2030. This museum will not only preserve the memories of the war but also serve as a cultural and tourism project of national and international significance. In the future, Quang Tri will elevate the "Festival for Peace" to a national-level festival, while also investing in the development of other historical sites such as the Vinh Moc Tunnels and the Gio An ancient well system. These locations not only possess historical value but also have the potential to develop into attractive tourist destinations.
Adding more tours like "Footprints of the Red Rain," or night tours of the Ancient Citadel – where visitors can explore while listening to stories told through 3D projections and surround sound recreating the atmosphere of the resistance war – would certainly attract more tourists. According to tourism experts, it's time for historical sites in Quang Tri province to invest in 3D film and virtual reality systems recreating battles and combat locations, and to build interactive narration centers where veterans or their descendants can recount war stories.
Alongside the golden opportunities, Quang Tri's tourism industry also faces many challenges. Without proper planning, rapid development could diminish the solemnity of the historical sites. To transform the "Red Rain" effect into a sustainable driving force, Quang Tri province needs to focus on solutions such as: standardizing historical tourism products; issuing regulations on tour guides, interpreters, and codes of conduct at historical sites; building film studios and museums; preserving props and reconstructing film scenes for tourism and education purposes. Quang Tri province also needs to invest in infrastructure and transportation, upgrading routes to historical sites to facilitate access for international tourists.
Quang Tri province needs to strengthen international communication and connect film, music, cuisine, and historical sites by continuing to cooperate with film companies and directors to create more works about history and landmarks. When film is invested in the right direction, tourism will have more valuable material to promote.
Mr. Ho Van Hoan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri province, said that Quang Tri has identified a unique direction for tourism development. This is the development of historical and cultural tourism linked to the message "Memories of War - Aspiration for Peace." Tourists come here not simply to visit, but to listen, feel, appreciate, and relive the glorious history of the nation.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri province encourages businesses and local communities to participate in building a model of "telling the story of historical sites through technology." With virtual reality technology, tourists can witness historical battles. Veterans could become "historical storytellers" in special tours. Every inch of land here is a page of history, and each tour is a story about courage and the aspiration for peace.
According to data from the Quang Tri Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in the first nine months of the year, Quang Tri province welcomed over 8.4 million visitors (an increase of 17.7%), including more than 376,000 international visitors (an increase of nearly 35%). Total revenue reached 9,679 billion VND, a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2024. It is projected that approximately 9.5 million visitors will come to Quang Tri in 2025, and the province is aiming for over 15 million visitors by 2030.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/co-hoi-vang-phat-trien-du-lich-quang-tri.html
