Quang Tri: Developing sustainable tourism from 'Memories of war - Aspiration for peace'

Monument to heroic martyrs in Quang Tri Ancient Citadel. Photo: Ho Cau/VNA

Land of memories and aspirations

Located in the sunny and windy central region, Quang Tri is known as a “living museum” of Vietnam’s historical war relics. With an area of ​​just over 4,700 km², the province currently has over 500 historical revolutionary relics and relic clusters, reflecting the depth of history and the great losses in the resistance wars against foreign invaders.

Places such as Quang Tri Citadel, Hien Luong - Ben Hai River, Road 9 - Khe Sanh, Vinh Moc tunnels, Vinh Linh tunnel village system, Truong Son national martyrs cemetery... have become symbols of the indomitable spirit, the desire for independence and peace of the nation. Not only are these relics, they are also symbols of the indomitable spirit, the place connecting the past and the present.

Identifying these as valuable potentials, Quang Tri has determined a unique direction for tourism development. That is to develop historical and cultural tourism associated with the message "Memories of war - Aspiration for peace". Tourists come here not simply to visit, but to listen, feel, show gratitude and relive the heroic history of the nation.

Panoramic view of Quang Tri Ancient Citadel from Thach Han River. Photo: Ho Cau/VNA

According to Mr. Ho Van Hoan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province, in recent years, Quang Tri tourism has had positive changes. In 2024, the whole province welcomed more than 3 million visitors, an increase of nearly 49% over the previous year; including 168,000 international visitors. Tourism revenue reached about 2,400 billion VND, an increase of more than 30% over the same period last year. Places associated with history are always in the top group in terms of visitors. On the occasion of April 30 - May 1, 2025 alone, Quang Tri welcomed more than 155,000 visitors; of which, the Hien Luong - Ben Hai relic site welcomed over 5,000 visitors, three times more than the same period last year. That shows the growing attraction of this land.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Trang (Hanoi), shared after attending the flag-raising ceremony to unify the country at Hien Luong Bridge in 2025: “I have been to many historical lands, but Quang Tri brings me special and sacred emotions. When walking next to Hien Luong Bridge - a symbol of division and unification of the country, immersing myself in the national anthem during the flag-raising ceremony, I felt like I was living in a part of the heroic history of the nation”.

Hien Luong - Ben Hai Special National Monument on the occasion of the "National Unification" Flag Raising Ceremony. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Increase investment, spread the value of peace

A special feature of Quang Tri tourism is the ability to exploit the value of historical and spiritual relics. Martyrs' cemeteries, the resting place of thousands of heroic soldiers who sacrificed their lives, are memorial sites, "red addresses" in journeys to the source, gratitude tourism, and traditional education for the younger generation.

The journey to Quang Tri is not only a tourist trip but also a journey of gratitude, an experience. Stepping into Quang Tri Citadel, crossing Hien Luong Bridge, or exploring the underground at Vinh Moc Tunnels, every visitor can feel the sacrifice and bravery of their ancestors, thereby further appreciating the value of peace.

To attract tourists, in addition to exploiting individual attractions, the province also builds specialized tourism routes such as "Reminiscence of the old battlefield and comrades", "Legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail", "Central Heritage Road"..., creating a chain of regional tourism products with historical and cultural depth.

Tourists visit Quang Tri Citadel during the April 30 holiday. Photo: Nguyen Ly/VNA

A highlight in Quang Tri’s tourism development strategy is in-depth investment in cultural history. In 2024, the province will organize the Festival for Peace with the theme “Joining hands to build a peaceful world”. The festival will be held on a national scale for the first time, through which Quang Tri hopes to build its image as a symbol of peace, while widely promoting the cultural and historical values ​​of the province to the whole country and the world.

The province is promoting the construction of the National Museum of “Memories of War and Thirst for Peace”, with a total estimated investment of 1,000 billion VND, in the period of 2026 - 2030. This museum is not only a place to preserve memories of war but also a cultural and tourist project of national and international significance.

In the coming time, Quang Tri will upgrade the Festival for Peace to a national festival, and at the same time invest in developing other relic brands such as Vinh Moc tunnels, Gio An ancient well system... These are addresses that not only bring historical value but also have the potential to develop into attractive destinations.

In addition, two key relic conservation projects according to Decision 1230/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister are being implemented in Quang Tri, including: Thong Nhat Park at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai dual bank relic site and the Quang Tri Citadel relic site along with memorial sites of the 81 days/nights of fighting to protect the Citadel, with a total investment of 170 billion VND from the central budget.

Tourists visit Hien Luong Bridge in the Hien Luong - Ben Hai Special National Monument in shimmering, magical light. Photo: Nguyen Ly/VNA

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Tan, Director of the Provincial Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, in order to develop sustainable tourism, in addition to preserving and promoting the value of historical relics, Quang Tri needs to continue investing in upgrading transport infrastructure, high-quality accommodation services, training professional tourism human resources, imbued with local identity. In particular, promoting links with the provinces and cities of Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam... and expanding international connections through the East-West Economic Corridor will contribute to increasing the strength of the tourism value chain in the Central region.

Quang Tri is gradually turning its painful past into a resource for development, gradually affirming its position not only as a land of war history but also as a destination of peace and future aspirations.

Source: VNA

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/quang-tri-phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-tu-ky-uc-chien-tranh-khat-vong-hoa-binh-20250507092115735.htm