Awakening the 'Gateway to Heaven' at Hoanh Son Pass

On the morning of May 21st, the Union of Science and Technology Associations of Ha Tinh province, in coordination with the People's Committee of Hoanh Son ward, organized a scientific seminar titled "Hoanh Son Quan - Deo Ngang Pass, issues of history and culture," with the participation of many researchers and cultural managers from within and outside the province.

The workshop was attended by Mr. Tran Bau Ha - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province, along with representatives from various departments, localities, and researchers in history and culture.

Located atop the Ngang Pass at an altitude of approximately 256 meters above sea level, Hoanh Son Quan has long been considered the "gateway to heaven" on the Hoanh Son mountain range – the natural boundary between Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces . The structure was built by Emperor Minh Mang in 1833 to control the North-South highway and protect the strategically important area south of the imperial city of Hue.

According to presentations at the conference, Hoành Sơn - Đèo Ngang not only holds geographical significance but is also linked to major turning points in the nation's history. From the Lý Dynasty, it served as the border between Đại Việt and Champa. During the Lê-Mạc and Trịnh-Nguyễn conflicts, Đèo Ngang became a strategic military location, controlling trade and defending the territory.

Many researchers emphasize that Hoanh Son Pass is a "living museum" preserving the historical imprint of nearly 200 years of the nation. During the resistance wars against the French and the Americans, it served as a gathering point for forces and a transit point for goods and weapons supporting the battlefields in the South.

Beyond its military significance, Hoành Sơn Pass has also entered poetry and literature as a special cultural symbol. The image of the Ngang Pass with its majestic mountains and vast sea and sky has become inspiration in many famous works, most notably the poem "Crossing the Ngang Pass" by Bà Huyện Thanh Quan.

At the workshop, many expressed concerns about the continued deterioration of the historical site and the fact that its preservation has not been commensurate with its inherent value. One of the biggest "bottlenecks" identified was the lack of a unified inter-regional management mechanism between Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces, which has slowed down restoration and exploitation efforts.

Mr. Vo Hong Hai, former Head of the Organizing Committee, presented his paper at the conference.

Colonel, Master of Science Nguyen Trong Thang - Vice Chairman of the Ha Tinh Historical Science Association, believes that it is time to view Hoanh Son Pass as a "regional heritage, sharing memories and responsibilities," thereby building a co-governance mechanism to preserve and promote the value of the relic more effectively.

The organizers stated that the conference received 20 papers from scientists, universities, research institutes, museums, and cultural management agencies in Ha Tinh, Hue, Quang Tri, and other provinces. The content focused on three main groups of issues: the formation and development of Hoanh Son Pass; the historical and cultural value of the site; and solutions for preservation, restoration, and promotion of its value in tourism and socio-economic development.

The opinions expressed at the workshop also aimed at building a dossier to propose the ranking of Hoanh Son Pass as a national historical relic under the 2024 Law on Cultural Heritage, thereby creating a legal basis and resources to "awaken" this special heritage on the summit of Deo Ngang Pass.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/danh-thuc-cong-troi-hoanh-son-quan-post778576.html