Dong Trieu City: Preserving and promoting the value of relics

In recent times, Dong Trieu city has had many policies and solutions to invest in preserving, embellishing and promoting the value of the historical and cultural relic system to serve socio-economic development, building an advanced culture imbued with national identity.

There are currently 128 relics and scenic spots in the city; of which 30 have been ranked. 98 relics have been inventoried, classified, and put into the management list. The city has issued documents directing the implementation of state management work associated with the preservation and promotion of the value of historical-cultural relics, scenic spots, and tourism development.

The city established a history of relics, scientific management records, created zoning maps, and set up protective boundary markers for 14/14 relic sites; completed the dossier for granting land use right certificates for the Tran Dynasty Special National Relic Site; strengthened coordination with experts in organizing excavations and archaeological excavations of relics. Most of the Tran Dynasty relic sites were excavated and archaeologically investigated, with a total investment of over 15.6 billion VND, such as: Da Chong 1, Da Chong 2, Thuong Ngoa Van Pagoda, An Sinh Temple...; conducted archaeological expansion of the area of relics in Ngoa Van Relic Site, Am Tra Palace Gate...; excavated additional documents at Ho Thien relic site, to provide a scientific basis for proposing changes to the planning of Ho Thien Pagoda and investigating and excavating Muc Lang relic (Tomb of King Tran Minh Tong).

The city has done a good job of mobilizing resources to restore and embellish historical and cultural relics. Since 2016, the city has accelerated the construction of the transport infrastructure system to serve tourism, such as the route to the Tran King's tombs, the pilgrimage route connecting Yen Tu relic tourist area with Thien - Ngoa Van Lake, forming a cable car system, etc.

Tourists visit Thai Mieu Temple. ( *Photo: provided by local authorities)*

In the period of 2017-2021, the city coordinated with Thien Tam Fund - Vingroup Corporation to mobilize resources to donate nearly 300 billion VND to restore and embellish the Tran Dynasty relics. In 2023-2024, in the process of building the Yen Tu dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition as a world heritage site, the city actively coordinated with relevant departments, branches and units of the province to provide documents to build the dossier, propagate and introduce the Tran Dynasty relic sites in Dong Trieu; prepare conditions to welcome the ICOMOS expert delegation to conduct field appraisal of the nomination dossier of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic complex; renovate the Tran Dynasty Cultural Heritage Exhibition House at the An Sinh Temple relic; coordinate with the City Construction Investment Project Management Board and the sponsoring unit to build and put into use the auxiliary works of the Mau Minh Van Son Temple relic; Install additional visual propaganda boards and signs (bilingual) at 6 Tran Dynasty relic sites included in the Yen Tu Dossier.

The city currently has about 40 relics that hold festivals every year, mostly in early spring. Festival management and organization are focused on, ensuring joy, solemnity, safety, and increasingly meeting the cultural and spiritual needs of the people and tourists. In 2024, the city will welcome over 1.3 million visitors, an increase of 100,000 compared to 2023; tourism revenue is estimated at 1,105 billion VND. The Tran Dynasty relic site alone will welcome over 376,700 visitors; increased by over 20,800 times compared to 2023.

To further promote the value of existing relics, the city continues to promote propaganda, introduction, research and development of new tourist routes, creating more attractive tourism products, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality.

Source