The Hoanh Son range starts from the Giang Man range, also known as Khai Truong Son, in Dan Hoa commune, Minh Hoa, Quang Binh province, running from West to East, with high mountains overlapping each other to the sea.
According to historical documents, since the reign of King Gia Long, the Hoanh Son mountain range was used as the boundary, the northern half belonged to Ha Tinh province, the southern half belonged to Quang Binh province. In 1833, King Minh Mang established a pass at Hoanh Son mountain. The construction of Hoanh Son Quan was to control the people and prevent criminals from passing through.
Two provinces ranked the same relic
From Ha Tinh to Hoanh Son Quan, there are 1,000 stone steps, created by the Nguyen Dynasty army in the past, on the top there is a citadel gate, which is often called "Heaven's Gate". This gate has a 4m high door, embossed with 3 words "Hoanh Son Quan", with walls running along both sides. This citadel architecture is still quite intact with a quiet, ancient look.
Hoanh Son Quan is located on the top of Deo Ngang Pass, between the border of Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces (Photo: Duong Nguyen).
Hoanh Son Quan has existed for nearly 200 years on the top of Ngang Pass, and is considered a very important historical structure. However, the relic is in a state of serious degradation, with abandoned walls and overgrown vegetation. Over the years, the relic has been damaged by drawings, writings, and signatures from locals and tourists.
Since its construction, Hoanh Son Quan has rarely been properly restored and protected, which has reduced its historical role and value. Previously, from the main road to the relic, there were small, winding stone steps that were difficult to move, and over time they have deteriorated. In 2022, the People's Committee of Ky Nam commune (Ky Anh town) repaired and upgraded these steps with a budget of about 200 million VND from the Ha Tinh provincial budget.
One of the reasons why Hoanh Son Quan is at risk of becoming a ruin is due to confusion in administrative boundary demarcation and management responsibilities.
According to research, in 2002, authorities of Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces held meetings related to Hoanh Son Quan.
Ha Tinh presented a new boundary map to confirm that "Heaven's Gate" belongs to their province, but Quang Binh did not agree. Hoanh Son Quan was also ranked as a Historical - Cultural Relic by both Quang Binh and Ha Tinh in 2002 and 2005.
Both localities proposed that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognize Hoanh Son Quan as a National Monument. However, because of this issue, both provinces' proposals were not accepted. Since then, Hoanh Son Quan has been accidentally divided into two parts, the North part is managed by Ha Tinh, and the South part belongs to Quang Binh.
Hoanh Son Quan was encroached upon with many dirty graffiti marks by locals and tourists (Photo: Duong Nguyen - Tien Thanh).
Previously, all vehicles passing Ngang Pass passed through Hoanh Son Quan, a relic known to many people for its outstanding military citadel architecture. However, since the construction of the road tunnel, people and vehicles passing through Hoanh Son Quan have been completely deserted. Occasionally, a few groups of young people "traveling" by motorbike, stopping by this relic to visit and take photos.
About 7 years ago, people arbitrarily built a large temple next to Hoanh Son Quan, directly encroaching on the relic. When the incident was discovered, the authorities of Quang Binh province proceeded to demolish the temple. The temple still has its foundation and a shrine, and people still occasionally come to burn incense and pray.
Ha Tinh - Quang Binh cultural sector speaks up
Mr. Mai Xuan Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Binh province, said that the dispute over Hoanh Son Quan that has lasted for decades between the two localities is based on two aspects. Regarding administrative boundaries, today Hoanh Son Quan is located on the slope of Ha Tinh mountain according to the watershed, but in terms of history and relic protection, it belongs to Quang Binh.
According to this leader, Hoanh Son Quan is deteriorating and at risk of becoming a ruin if it is not resolved and clearly recognized which province it belongs to. For this reason, the majestic and ancient relic Hoanh Son Quan has so far received little restoration or embellishment.
Hoanh Son Quan is located majestically and anciently on the top of Deo Ngang (Photo: Duong Nguyen).
However, speaking with Dan Tri reporter, Mr. Tran Xuan Luong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DTC) of Ha Tinh, affirmed that the Hoanh Son Quan relic is completely located within the boundaries of Ha Tinh, so there is no dispute.
Mr. Nguyen Tung Linh, Head of the Department of Cultural Management (Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Tinh) also confirmed that there is no dispute over Hoanh Son Quan and this relic is not degraded.
"We have been consistent from the beginning in our view that there is no dispute. Every time a relic is degraded, Ha Tinh province restores and embellishes it," said Mr. Linh.
Specifically, according to Mr. Linh, in the past, the Ky Anh town government was assigned to manage this relic. From 2012 to now, Ha Tinh has repaired the stairs to Hoanh Son Quan at least twice and installed signposts.
Discussing the above issue, Dr. of History Nguyen Khac Thai expressed his opinion that Hoanh Son Quan has not been recognized as a National Monument, which is a shortcoming. Hoanh Son Quan not only has historical and cultural value, closely linked to the country's development journey, but it is also a famous landscape on the Hoanh Son range. If done well and invested in, this relic will be a potential place for tourism exploitation.
From Hoanh Son Quan looking north is Ky Nam land, Ky Anh town, Ha Tinh (Photo: Tien Thanh).
According to Dr. Thai, the new national border is fixed, while the boundaries between provinces and cities can be adjusted to suit the political, economic, cultural and historical characteristics of each locality and each period.
"If tourism is exploited, Hoanh Son Quan is a common destination. What needs to be done immediately for Hoanh Son Quan is for the central authorities to soon decide to assign it to one of the two provinces of Quang Binh or Ha Tinh so that the relic can soon be ranked as a national relic, preserved and promoted," Dr. Thai stated his opinion.
"Saying that the relic is being disputed between two provinces is a misunderstanding"
Mr. Nguyen Tri Son, Chairman of the Ha Tinh Historical Science Association (former Head of Heritage Management Department - Ha Tinh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; former Director of Ha Tinh Museum), said that according to historical documents, in 1833, following a proposal from the Ministry of Justice, King Minh Mang ordered the construction of a citadel gate on top of Hoanh Son Quan, assigned guards to control passersby.
Looking north from Hoanh Son Quan is the land of Ky Nam (Ky Anh, Ha Tinh). There are mountains, hills, sea, fields, and residential areas. In the opposite direction to the south is the land of Quang Dong commune, Quang Trach district, Quang Binh province with overlapping mountains and hills.
Recently, Ha Tinh province has spent budget to repair stairs and signs of the relic (Photo: Duong Nguyen).
This is an important pass to control the road to Hue citadel from the North. Similarly, control from the South is Hai Van Quan, which is said to be built on the top of Hai Van pass, on the border of Thua Thien - Hue and Da Nang.
From that, Mr. Son said that, historically, this project was built during the Nguyen Dynasty, not by Ha Tinh or Quang Binh, so it does not belong to any province.
"Therefore, many people say that the relic is being disputed by two provinces, misunderstanding the cultural and historical issue," said Mr. Son.
According to Mr. Son, geographically, Hoanh Son Quan is currently located in the administrative territory of Ha Tinh province, in Ky Nam commune, Ky Anh town. However, the management and promotion of the cultural and historical values of the relic have not been effective.
"Ha Tinh is right to manage and rank the relic because it is their land. If Quang Binh wants to do these things with the relic, it must have land. If Hoanh Son Quan is degraded, Ha Tinh is responsible for the first restoration and repair, but if Quang Binh wants to spend money to do it, that's fine, it's okay," Mr. Son stated his opinion.
The beauty of Hoanh Son Quan "Heaven's Gate" seen from above (Video: Duong Nguyen).
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