Tourism of memory and the value of history.

Developing tourism focused on memories in the right direction also contributes to realizing the aspiration of building Ho Chi Minh City into a cultural and tourism center of regional and international stature.

Visitors gather information at the booth of the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Site.

In the context of modern urban development, historical memory and cultural heritage are not only the "spiritual baggage" of the community but have also quickly become a unique resource for sustainable tourism development.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the concept of historical tourism is being placed in a new context after its merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, opening up a vast space for collaboration to exploit and promote historical values ​​in the area.

Following global tourism trends, traditional tourism types such as scenic tourism, resort tourism, culinary tourism, and conference tourism are showing signs of saturation, while the demand for cultural and heritage experiences is increasing. This necessitates Ho Chi Minh City to seek and develop unique tourism resources linked to local identity and historical memory. In particular, as the city aims to develop its cultural industry and become a regional tourism hub, historical tourism emerges as a significant advantage.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has many "historical sites" associated with war memories such as: Cu Chi Tunnels, Long Phuoc Tunnels, Reunification Hall, War Remnants Museum, Nha Rong Wharf, Ho Lang, Zone D, Minh Dam Base, etc. These are "living museums" of the fighting spirit and sacrifices of the people and soldiers of Southern Vietnam, familiar destinations for students and international tourists, vivid evidence of the role of traditional education in urban life today.

However, practical experience in many countries shows that developing historical tourism without proper guidance can lead to two risks: commercializing the "pain of war," causing offense; or abusing historical spaces for closed-off purposes, lacking dialogue. The clearest example is the transformation of World War II-era bunkers and prisons into tourist attractions, distorting historical values ​​and leading to negative reactions from local communities.

To promote historical, cultural, and traditional values ​​and avoid repeating past mistakes, Ho Chi Minh City has prioritized preserving the commemorative and educational nature of its heritage, while simultaneously connecting it with community cultural experiences and "activating" the heritage into a vibrant living space where the past and present engage in dialogue.

In the context of sustainable development, historical and revolutionary tourism in Ho Chi Minh City possesses many advantages: a vast system of historical and revolutionary relics; a strong community foundation involved in commemorative rituals; and the potential for inter-regional connectivity to create a chain of destinations rich in educational value. More importantly, these are not only novel products but also a channel for fostering patriotism, nurturing identity, and creating spiritual motivation for the younger generation.

In the context of Ho Chi Minh City's expansive development, historical tourism is proving to be a "golden opportunity" – enriching the city's identity while creating a unique competitive advantage on the international tourism map.

Developing tourism focused on memories in the right direction also contributes to realizing the aspiration of building Ho Chi Minh City into a cultural and tourism center of regional and international stature.

OCEAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/du-lich-ky-uc-va-gia-tri-cua-lich-su-post826196.html