Although the war has gone and the wounds of war have been healed, there are many historical sites and destinations throughout Vietnam that preserve unforgettable memories of the heroic fight for independence, freedom, and national reunification.
Hoa Lo Prison in Ha Noi is an attractive destination for tourists from both at home and abroad. (Photo: Thu Hien)
Not only have these places helped to educate younger generations about patriotism and the heroic traditions of their ancestors, they are also invaluable resources for developing war tourism and attracting more domestic and international tourists to Vietnam.
According to Dr. Nguyen Thu Hanh, President of the Scientific Union for Sustainable Tourism Development (STDe), across the globe, war tourism is considered an important component of travel to the past.
War tourism, also known as war memory tourism, can be understood as a type of recreational travel, research, and experience of visiting war zones, such as battlefields, cemeteries, prisons, and museums of war artefacts.In Vietnam, war tourism has been fostered in several localities for the past few decades.
Not only does it attract domestic and foreign war veterans and their relatives to reflect on their memories of the battlefield in the olden days and pay tribute to their comrades, war tourism has also attracted many young people for purposes of sightseeing or historical study.
Prominent destinations that have succeeded in developing war tourism include Hoa Lo Prison and Dong Da Mound in Hanoi; Pac Bo in Cao Bang Province; Dien Bien Phu City in Dien Bien Province; Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Ben Hai River, Hien Luong Bridge, and the Vinh Moc Tunnels in Quang Tri Province; Tam Co Cave and General Vo Nguyen Giap's grave in Quang Binh Province; Hang Duong Cemetery and Con Dao Prison in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province; Phu Quoc Prison in Kien Giang Province; Cu Chi Tunnels, Nha Rong Wharf, and War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.
Notably, several products on war tourism have been launched and drawn much appreciation and interest from visitors, such as the ‘Sacred Night'; tour to explore Hoa Lo Prison relics at night, and the tour ‘Follow the footsteps of Saigon Rangers’ - which takes tourists to locations associated with the activities of the Special Task Force of the South Vietnam Liberation Armed Forces that specialised in making quick attacks against the Saigon-US forces in Ho Chi Minh City during the Vietnam War.
International tourists admire objects on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Nhat Thinh)
In particular, Quang Tri Province, which is home to hundreds of revolutionary historical relics, has become one of the pioneering localities in developing war tourism by launched many tours to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and old battlefields.
However, according to experts, historical-war tourism in Vietnam has not yet fully unlocked its potential.
Dr. Nguyen Thu Hanh explained that war tourism in Vietnam has only been developed to serve the purposes of sightseeing, historical study, and educating on revolutionary traditions, and lacks solutions to deliver historical stories in the most realistic and vivid way.
She also pointed out that historical information about relics and destinations is often only introduced to tourists through images, documents, and tour guides' presentation during the tour, making it quite monotonous and one-dimensional.
Sharing the same view, Pham Duc Binh, a representative of Travel Moment Company, said that there is lack of investment in war tourism to help it fully tap its vast resources and potentials.
As a result, revenue from tourist activities at relic sites is still low, while conservation costs mainly depend on the state budget, so the effectiveness of the work remains limited.
To further develop war tourism, it requires methodical and large-scale investment as well as a long-term and synchronous development strategy.
Experts suggest that localities need to conduct an inventory and review of the current status of historical war relics in the area so that they can have proper plans to regularly repair and upgrade those that are in poor condition.
Businesses and localities need to work together to build unique tours and routes linking historical destinations.
In addition, it is important to raise tourists' awareness of protecting monuments and heritage during their visit.
“It is necessary to invest in creating virtual experience spaces so that visitors can have closer and more vivid access to the historical context of fierce war, thus they can better understand the price of independence, freedom and peace,” Dr. Nguyen Thu Hanh proposed.
Hong Trang - Translated by NDO
