(VOVworld)- Tours of former battlefields have become popular in Vietnam in recent years because they offer tourists chance to explore new destinations and chances to pay tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives for national independence and freedom. Discovery Vietnam today takes you on a tour of some former battlefields in Vietnam.

Dien Bien Phu battlefield

Since 2005, Quang Tri province’s People’s Committee has coordinated with the Fund for Tours of Former Battlefield and Comrades of the Ministry of Defence and the Vietnam National Tourism Administration to develop tours of former battlefields and comrades. Phan Khac Hai, Vice Chairman of the Fund said that these tours take tourists to different battlefields throughout the country including Dien Bien Phu, Tuyen Quang, Hanoi, Ham Rong in Thanh Hoa province, Dong Loc tri-junction in Ha Tinh, Khe Xanh in Quang Tri and Cu Chi tunnel in Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Hai said that in addition to tourists, the fund also organizes trips for war veterans and families of martyrs and war invalids to the former battlefields such as the Revolutionary Safe Zone, Quang Tri Khe Xanh. “Tours of former battlefields and comrades are of great spiritual significance for Vietnamese people. We connect war veterans and try to exploit typical characteristics of each region and then connect them to develop attractive tours”, said Mr. Hai.

Quang Tri battlefield

Quang Tri is currently the most popular destination for this type of tourism because the fierce battles many years ago left behind more than 430 revolutionary relics in the province. The tour of Quang Tri takes tourists to a relic complex on both sides of Hien Luong-Ben Hai river, the Quang Tri ancient citadel, and Vinh Moc tunnel. In addition to revolutionary relics, tourists also participate in programs in memory of former battlefields and comrades, and cultural festivals like: Truong Son legend, singing festival, flower releasing festival on the Thach Han river. These festivals with diverse cultural and spiritual activities have impressed a lot of tourists and the participants. Tran Huu Phuong, Director of Sepon Tourism Company said that the tour of former battlefields in combination with cultural and ecological tourism have become popular among Asian countries. “The number of domestic and foreign tourists to Quang Tri has increased sharply in recent years. The tourists include war veterans and young people, who highly appreciate these relics. They like these tours because they not only visit the former battlefields but also burn incense for fallen soldiers who sacrificed for the nation. I remember an Australian tourist, who had 2 days visiting Vietnam, but insisted to visit Quang Tri former battlefield. Quang Tri has become an attractive destination for tourists and for Vietnamese and foreign war veterans”, said Mr. Phuong.

Mr. Hai said that the tours of former battlefields and comrades will be expanded to northern, northwester, and central highlands provinces, HCM City and Mekong River Delta. Hai said his fund will develop new tourist products to make the tours more attractive. Hai said: “We are cooperating with cities and provinces to develop these tours and find out new destinations. We aim to create differences as well as connection between the tours that cover the northwest, the central regions and the Mekong River Delta. We intend to strengthen promotion activities and cooperation with travel companies to further promote the tours”.

Returning to the former battlefields, tourists and especially war veterans recall the glorious past of the nation and pay tribute to those who rendered great services to the nation. These trips also help educate younger generations of Vietnam and foreign friends better understand about the Vietnamese history.

Dong Loc tri-junction

Vinh Phong