Visiting Con Dao in July is like discovering a sacred "red address" of the Fatherland. This island, with its beautiful blue sea and white sand, was once a "hell on earth," a place of imprisonment, exile, and witness to the sacrifice of tens of thousands of revolutionary soldiers and patriotic citizens.
Every inch of this land is steeped in the blood and bones of our ancestors. A trip to Con Dao on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27th carries profound spiritual and educational significance.
Con Dao Island - a historical landmark
Hang Duong Cemetery, the resting place of over 20,000 heroes, sons and daughters who fell for the independence and freedom of the nation. Under the shade of rows of casuarina trees, thousands of graves lie side by side, simple and quiet.
The atmosphere at Hang Duong is always solemn and tranquil. People from all over the country come here, bringing fragrant incense and white chrysanthemums, silently visiting each grave.
Candlelight flickered across the graves, dispelling the silent night and warming the souls of the fallen heroes.
Tourists pay tribute to the female hero and martyr Vo Thi Sau at Hang Duong Cemetery, Con Dao Special Zone, Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Huynh Son/VNA)
In that sacred space, people come to the graves of Vo Thi Sau, the patriot Nguyen An Ninh, General Secretary Le Hong Phong... and thousands of other outstanding individuals, not only to pray but also to share stories about life today - the achievements of the country's renewal that these outstanding individuals sacrificed to win.
Dr. Vu Ngoc Long, former Director of the Southern Institute of Ecology (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), shared that visiting Hang Duong Cemetery in July evoked a flood of emotions in him.
Here, every inch of land is steeped in the blood and bones of outstanding sons and daughters who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. On July 27th, we remember the boundless sacrifices of the heroic martyrs, the unsung heroes.
Hang Duong Cemetery is even more special because it is located in the middle of the ocean, within Con Dao National Park, with its natural wonders and biodiversity; situated amidst a complex of historical relics and museums that will be remembered by future generations.
Leaving Hang Duong Cemetery, visitors cannot miss the Con Dao Prison system, a vivid testament to the crimes of colonialism and imperialism, and also a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the communists.
Place names like "tiger cage," "cow cage," Phu Hai camp, Phu Son camp... still remain, recalling a painful yet incredibly glorious period of history. We admire even more the unwavering will, revolutionary optimism, and noble sacrifice of the political prisoners.
Mr. Nguyen Van Nam, a tourist from Tay Ninh, expressed his feelings after visiting the French tiger cages: "After visiting and listening to the tour guides' explanations, I realized the brutality of war. The soldiers had to fight and sacrifice to protect peace, independence, and freedom for the nation. Through this historical story, I feel that I need to strive to study and train myself to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors in building a stronger and more prosperous country, not letting down the efforts of our forefathers."
Returning to Con Dao, as the whole country commemorates the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs, memories of a time of war and fire flood back into the minds of former political prisoners. With slow steps, they return to the land steeped in the blood and bones of their comrades, where the nation's finest sons and daughters sacrificed their youth for independence and freedom.
Visiting Con Dao prison these days in July, Mr. Huynh Thien Hoa (born in 1945, former political prisoner, former Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Dao district from 1991-2000, currently living in Vung Tau ward, Ho Chi Minh City) couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
What he remembered most when revisiting this place was the spirit of solidarity and mutual support among the prisoners. It was this noble human kindness that helped him and his comrades overcome the harshest challenges.
Now 80 years old, the former political prisoner is still deeply concerned about how to further develop Con Dao. Mr. Huynh Thien Hoa is delighted to hear that Con Dao is being connected to the national power grid and that a waste treatment plant is being invested in; he also hopes that the Party and the State will create a special mechanism to help the island develop to its full potential, promote its cultural heritage, protect natural resources, and develop green and sustainable tourism.
Steadfastly moving forward in the new phase.
Con Dao Island is increasingly asserting its position as an attractive tourist destination, harmoniously combining nature conservation, historical preservation, and improving the quality of life for the island's inhabitants.
The wax figures recreate scenes of prisoners being held captive in Phu Hai Prison Camp on Con Dao Island. (Photo: Huynh Son/VNA)
July is a time when locals and tourists organize many "back to the roots" trips to Con Dao. Ms. Pham Thi Tam, Deputy Director of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Museum-Library (under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism), said that the unit has proactively prepared to ensure the best conditions for groups paying respects, returning to their roots, and delegations coming to offer incense and commemorate at the historical site, contributing to spreading the values of revolutionary traditions, gratitude, and the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source."
Following the reorganization of its administrative structure and units, Ho Chi Minh City has numerous programs and strategies to develop Con Dao into a high-quality eco-tourism and cultural destination in the future.
Mr. Le Anh Tu, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Con Dao Special Economic Zone, said that in the coming time, Con Dao aims to develop into a high-quality, regional and international-class marine and island eco-tourism special zone, harmoniously combining nature conservation, historical preservation, and improving the quality of life for the people.
This orientation includes developing green infrastructure, conserving biodiversity, developing sustainable tourism, and improving people's lives.
To develop Con Dao Special Economic Zone into an attractive tourist destination, a harmonious combination of nature conservation and preservation of historical values must be considered a consistent and overarching principle throughout the future development of Con Dao; these two issues must not be overlooked.
Simultaneously, it is necessary to build and firmly protect maritime sovereignty. Con Dao is strengthening the restoration, preservation, and conservation of historical and cultural relics, especially the Con Dao prison complex, considering it an invaluable asset that needs to be preserved and protected.
Tourists visit Phu Tuong Prison Camp in Con Dao (Ho Chi Minh City), a prison known as the "French-style tiger cage," where revolutionary fighters were once held during the resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism. (Photo: Huynh Son/VNA)
In its green economic development, Con Dao is building a modern wastewater treatment system, ensuring that treated wastewater meets standards and does not pollute the environment. Priority is given to using solar energy and other renewable energy sources to minimize environmental impact, aiming for a clean energy Con Dao. Simultaneously, the island is strengthening the protection of natural forests, marine ecosystems, and biodiversity. Specific regulations and guidelines for tourism activities are being developed to ensure they do not negatively impact the environment and ecosystem.
According to Mr. Le Anh Tu, in order to develop in the above direction, it is first necessary to remove the bottleneck of Con Dao in terms of transportation connectivity between the island and the center of Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces and cities nationwide, as well as with the region and internationally.
Therefore, it is necessary to urgently expand the airport to accommodate large aircraft, study the construction of a seaport capable of receiving international cruise ships visiting Con Dao; have an electricity grid system that meets the needs of investors, the development of businesses, and the needs of the people of Con Dao; and develop a comprehensive system for providing clean water, and develop high-quality healthcare and education to meet the health and learning needs of all citizens.
The image of Con Dao that remains in everyone's heart is not only the blue sea and golden sunshine, but also the green of the banyan trees, rows of casuarina trees, and rows of pine trees standing proudly in the storms, just like the spirit of those who have rested here.
Visiting the sacred land of Con Dao is a journey for each person to reflect on themselves, to cultivate a deeper love for their homeland and country, and to realize that the peace and freedom we enjoy today were bought with the blood and unwavering will of an entire generation of heroes.
(VNA/Vietnam+)
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ve-dat-thieng-con-dao-boi-dap-them-tinh-yeu-que-huong-dat-nuoc-post1051699.vnp
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