Currently, the province has 127 historical and cultural relics

Promoting existing potential

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism - Nguyen Tan Quoc said: “Long An has quite diverse and rich tourism resources including: Natural tourism and cultural tourism. In which, cultural tourism resources attract a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. The historical and cultural relics play an important role and are exploited to create attractive, different products with strong regional and local identities. Up to now, Long An has 127 relics, including 22 national and 105 provincial historical and cultural relics. This is an important resource not only educating about historical and cultural traditions but also contributing to attracting a large number of tourists in recent times.”

In 2024, Long An welcomed more than 2 million visitors, double the same period, up 54% compared to the plan. Of which, more than 340,000 visitors came to visit and participate in the festival at the historical and cultural relics areas. The relics managed by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism alone welcomed about 247 groups with 31,200 visitors. These figures further affirm that the historical and cultural relics in Long An always has its own attraction, creating a different highlight, especially as the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism always exploits the available potential of this industry."

Head of the Southern Liberation Farmers' Association Liaison Committee - Pham Van Guoc shared: "To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South, the reunification of the country and the 64th anniversary of the establishment of the Southern Liberation Farmers' Association, we organized a trip to the Provincial Revolutionary Historical Site and Long An Monument Park "Bravery and resilience, the whole people fighting the enemy". Coming here, we can relive the difficult but very proud war years. This is the motivation to help us continue the revolutionary tradition in the new era."

Many difficulties remain

In 2024, Long An historical and cultural relics welcomed 340,000 visitors

In addition to the achieved results, tourism development through the historical and cultural relics still faces many difficulties. Specifically, some historical and cultural relics are seriously degraded, have not been restored and embellished in time, significantly affecting people's sightseeing, research and study; The content displayed at museums and relics is not yet attractive, etc.

Vice Chairman of Tan An City People's Committee - Nguyen Minh Sang informed: "The city has 9 historical relics, many of which have been degraded. The relics in Tan An City have unique architecture, bearing the rich history of historical relics in the early years of land reclamation and settlement in the Southern region. In the coming time, Tan An City hopes to receive the attention of the Department of Culture in the restoration and embellishment of historical relics, contributing to the locality's preservation and maintenance of traditional cultural values; building a cultural living space imbued with the identity of the community."

Every year, the Tan Hoa Ancient Temple (Tan Hoa Commune, Tan Thanh District) organizes two worshiping periods according to tradition, including the Thuong Dien worshiping ceremony on April 15 and 16 (Lunar calendar) and the Ha Dien worshiping ceremony on November 15 and 16 (Lunar calendar). The two ceremonies attracted hundreds of visitors from inside and outside the district. For a long time, the ancient temple has become a place for cultural and religious activities; at the same time, it is also a place to educate the younger generation about revolutionary traditions. Tan Hoa ancient temple was ranked as a provincial historical and cultural relic in 2010.

In 2008, Tan Hoa ancient temple was repaired with contributions from local people, including a main hall and a back house with a diagonal structure. However, this time, due to lack of funds, the Temple Association Board could not complete the project. Over time, the ancient temple has seriously deteriorated. Some pillars, rafters, and wooden columns have been eaten away by termites, the roof is leaking, and the temple could collapse at any time.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tan (Tan Hoa commune, Tan Thanh district) wishes: "The people here hope that the ancient temple will soon be restored and embellished because it is not only a place for cultural and religious activities but also marks the heroic feats of our ancestors in the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism."

Historical and cultural relics are the material and spiritual assets of Long An people. They are not only a historical “witnesses” marking the process of formation, development, struggle and tradition of the nation but also contributing to sustainable economic, cultural and social development in the period of industrialization and modernization.

Dr. Mai My Duyen - lecturer at the University of Culture, Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed: “A recognized national and provincial historical relic needs continued investment. Because if not invested, the historical relic will quickly deteriorate, even losing its title. This will create bad public opinion, cause negative reactions, and affect people's awareness. How to invest is an agreement between the Department of Culture and the locality where the historical relic is located. In general, since the historical relic has been recognized, we should not chase after quantity and lose the historical and cultural mark of the relic."

Preserving and promoting the value of the cultural heritage associated with tourism development is a practical and effective solution, contributing to the in-depth development of the "smokeless industry", especially implementing Resolution No. 51, dated January 4, 2023 of the Provincial Party Committee on building and developing the culture and people of Long An. We believe that with the available potential and responsibility of all levels and sectors, we will overcome difficulties and limitations in the restoration and embellishment of the cultural heritage, contributing to the sustainable development of the tourism industry./.

Reported by Minh Thu

Translated by NT