Lao Cai high mountains towards the origin

During the third lunar month, whether you are lucky enough to join the pilgrims returning to the land of King Hung (Phu Tho) to offer incense in gratitude or you are unable to return, you all share the pride of being "children of Lac, descendants of Hong".

According to ancient legends, during the "separation" of Lac Long Quan and Au Co's reign over the country, 50 sons followed their father to the sea, and 50 sons followed their mother to the highlands. Lao Cai - where Fansipan peak (the roof of Indochina) is located - is considered a "highland" region that also welcomed the footsteps of our ancestors to expand the territory and rule. The ancient legend is evidence of the close ties of thousands of years between the lands and ethnic groups in the upstream and downstream regions of the country in the process of building, defending and developing the country.

Lao Cai people today always remember and are proud of their origins, always looking towards their homeland to deepen their affection. The relationship between the two localities is therefore always close, accompanying each other in the development process.

Going back thousands of years in history, Lao Cai is one of the "national fences" that dynasties, kings and lords have always valued, strengthened and preserved.

According to Ms. Bui Thi Huong, Deputy Director of the Provincial Museum, when roads were not yet developed, travel was difficult and arduous like "going to heaven", we "witnessed" military operations to block and chase away the enemy, mostly by water, because the Northern enemy often invaded our country through river routes.

With its location as “where the Red River flows into Vietnam”, Lao Cai is certainly one of the places that always has to endure the threat of foreign invaders from the North, the place they will attack first on the way to invade Vietnam. And certainly in those wars to defend the country, the connection and solidarity between the people of the upper Red River region, Lao Cai, and the provinces and cities downstream from Yen Bai to Phu Tho and other provinces and cities are very close.

In modern times, in the wars to protect the country, protect the northern border, and build a socialist North, there was also solidarity, sharing hardships, and taking care of each other among the children who drank the same water from the "Mother River".

In the 60s of the last century, after the 5th Central Conference of the 3rd term on agricultural development and strengthening cooperatives in September 1960, in February 1963, the Politburo had a separate resolution to develop the socio-economy of the North, especially the mountainous areas, to gradually turn the mountainous areas from a self-sufficient economy into an economy with many commodity products, improve the lives of the people of all ethnic groups, serve the cause of building socialism and strengthening national defense.

Implementing the Party's great policy, tens of thousands of people from provinces and cities, including Phu Tho, enthusiastically traveled upstream of the Red River to the new land, with only one aspiration to build and develop the country. In the wars against the French and the Americans, there was also solidarity and solidarity of all kinds.

Most recently, during the war to protect the northern border in 1979, along with providing military personnel, Phu Tho was one of the places that welcomed refugees from the upstream.

Lao Cai Provincial Museum currently preserves many valuable documents and artifacts dating back thousands of years and simulated artifacts, telling stories of thousands of years ago. On the journey to explore the province's huge archives, locals and visitors are always attracted by the sculpture of Lac Long Quan - Au Co placed right in the main hall of the museum. In the large space, the statue is over 4 meters high, majestic and imposing. Behind the statue is a relief with the image of Fansipan peak standing tall amidst the mountain wind and clouds of the highlands.

Sharing about the origin of the statue, Ms. Bui Thi Huong, Deputy Director of the Provincial Museum, said: The statue of Lac Long Quan - Au Co was donated to Lao Cai Museum by Hung Vuong Museum (Phu Tho province) in June 2017, stemming from the fact that Lao Cai province organized a campaign to collect and donate documents and artifacts to the Provincial Museum (the campaign was part of a series of activities to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Lao Cai province's founding on July 12, 2017, and at the same time used to display the theme "Truong Sa, Hoang Sa belong to Vietnam - historical and legal evidence" on October 6, 2017). The donation demonstrates the solidarity and attachment between Lao Cai and Phu Tho provinces, between the cultural sector and museum units of the two localities. This is also a meaningful work to tell the old story, the connection between the homeland and the highlands of the country.

According to Lao Cai Province Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, the province will focus on developing the dynamic economic axis along the Red River. This is the economic axis that plays a "core" role in connecting the province's economic development space; connecting regions, inter-regions and the whole country with the Southwest region of China. According to the planning orientation, the dynamic economic axis along the Red River connects with 9 provinces and cities downstream.