Cultural sediments - Development driving force

As a borderland at the source of the Mekong River, An Giang is not only famous for its charming river landscape, but also for its precious "cultural sediments", reflecting the exchange and integration of many communities. Over thousands of years of history, An Giang has accumulated precious "cultural sediments" - from the ancient Oc Eo civilization to the multi-ethnic and religious life, beliefs, and the process of acculturation of cultural quintessence - creating a unique identity that is difficult to find anywhere else.

When mentioning An Giang, we cannot help but mention the Oc Eo culture - an ancient civilization associated with the existence of the Kingdom of Phu Nam - one of the earliest countries in Southeast Asia, which flourished in the 1st - 7th centuries AD. Archaeologists have discovered in the Ba The - Oc Eo area (Thoai Son district) a series of valuable relics and artifacts... These vestiges show that this place used to be an important international trade center of the Kingdom of Phu Nam, connecting with India, China and Southeast Asian countries... Not only is it a distant past, the Oc Eo heritage is also a precious "gem" for An Giang to build its cultural identity and tourism (DL) today.

As one of the provinces with a special geographical location - bordering Cambodia and located in the economic - cultural development axis of the Southwest region, An Giang is a convergence of many ethnic groups: Kinh, Khmer, Cham, Chinese... Each community carries with it unique cultural values, creating a rich and unique cultural picture...

Ba Chua Xu Temple on Sam Mountain - a famous spiritual destination

It is impossible not to mention the Ba Chua Xu Temple on Sam Mountain in Chau Doc City - the most sacred place of worship in the West, attracting millions of pilgrims every year. The Via Ba Festival takes place in the fourth lunar month, an occasion for people to pray for peace and fortune, and is also a unique spiritual and cultural festival. At the end of 2024, the Via Ba Chua Xu Festival on Sam Mountain was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

An Giang also has 10 national treasures (Linh Son Bac Buddha relief, Khanh Binh stone Buddha statue, Giong Xoai wooden Buddha statue, Giong Xoai Brahma statue, Linga - Yoni set, Linh Son Linga - Yoni set, Giong Cat Nandin Ring and Mukhalinga Ba The statue, Linh Son Bac Buddha statue head (dating from the 1st - 3rd century) and Go Cay Tram jar, dating from the 4th - 5th century); national intangible cultural heritage; 90 historical - cultural relics, ranked scenic spots (2 special national relics, 28 national relics and 60 provincial relics), combining indigenous beliefs with Buddhist rituals and folk elements... creating a rich and diverse culture.

Talking about An Giang without mentioning the Bay Nui bull racing festival is a big mistake. This is a Khmer folk activity associated with Tet holiday activities, but has become a unique cultural and sporting event of regional significance. “The festival is not only a competition, but also has spiritual value, praying for a bountiful harvest and is an occasion for the Khmer ethnic community to have fun. This unique folk cultural and sporting activity attracts many domestic and foreign tourists to explore the unique culture of the Khmer people in An Giang” - said Mr. Thach Son, a tourist from Tra Vinh province…

An Giang is also famous for its Long Xuyen floating market, Chau Doc raft village, and unique culinary dishes (fish hotpot, fish noodles, Thai fish sauce, palm cake...) which are also vivid manifestations of the river culture of the West - where cuisine, daily life and social interaction are closely linked to the flow of alluvium...

Chau Doc market is famous for many famous specialties.

With rich cultural heritage potential, An Giang has been focusing on developing cultural tourism and spiritual tourism, of which relics are one of the important resources to exploit. An Giang also has advantages in typical ecological tourism, such as: river tourism, agricultural tourism... The province is aiming to develop smart tourism, ecological tourism combined with experience and relaxation. The tours are carefully designed and put on e-commerce platforms, helping tourists easily access and experience. Tourist areas, such as: Cam Mountain, Ta Pa - Soai Chek, Tra Su cajuput forest... also develop trekking and homestay tourism models, meeting the diverse needs of tourists...

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the province focuses on investing in preserving and restoring historical and cultural relics in the area; promoting the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage values, tangible and intangible cultural forms. These efforts are carried out through the development of scientific dossiers, conservation projects and programs to promote the values ​​of tangible and intangible cultural heritage of ethnic groups living in the province.

An Giang - the upstream land, not only has beautiful nature, but is also a precious cultural treasure, where the "sediment" of history, beliefs, art and folk life is constantly being built up. In the context of globalization, An Giang is gradually preserving and promoting traditional cultural values ​​through activities of preserving relics, developing community tourism, spiritual tourism, and experiential tourism. Traditional festivals are not only religious activities, but also become cultural and tourism products, contributing to bringing the image of An Giang to domestic and foreign tourists.

According to experts, each citizen should be a cultural ambassador, contributing to promoting the image, cultural characteristics, and local tourism. For tourism to develop sustainably, it requires not only the contribution of businesses and functional sectors, but also the active participation of the community and each citizen; especially in preserving, developing and transmitting cultural values, beauty in cultural behavior, creating products with unique marks...

BROTHER

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tram-tich-van-hoa-dong-luc-phat-trien-a421226.html