Legendary relic "2 million dollar hill
Tuc Dup hill belongs to the Phung Hoang Son range (Co To mountain). According to Khmer, "Tuc Chup" means a hill with water flowing at night. This place owns a system of furnaces - a network of caves, natural rock crevices intertwined in the heart of the mountain.
With its rugged terrain and strategic location on the liaison route from the Central Bureau of South Vietnam to the Mekong Delta, Tuc Dup became an important revolutionary base in the resistance war against the US.
The historical peak was the 128-day and night fierce battle. Less than 100 revolutionary soldiers persistently stayed, fighting back against more than 5,000 US - puppet troops. Fierce bombs and bullets rained down, devastating but unable to overthrow human will, making this place known as the "200 million dollar hill". On April 1, 1985, Tuc Dup was recognized as a National Relic.
Iron symbol of Vietnamese-Khmer solidarity
In the flames of war, Tuc Dup shines as a brilliant symbol of the solidarity of the two nations. Prominent is the traffic trench line about 4.5km long connecting from Svay-Don-Cum Pagoda to the foot of the hill. The ancient pagoda built in 1718 was destroyed by B52 bombs in 1968, so people affectionately called it "B52 Pagoda", leaving a large bomb pit that has now become a lake.
Here, monks and Khmer compatriots secretly dug communication trenches to supply food and medicine, cover up and treat soldiers. Khmer mothers and elderly people quietly cooked sticky rice and sweet potatoes and then used the excuse of going "to worship the moon, worship the sky, worship the mountain gods" to bring food to the mouth of the cave for the guerrillas. Those noble gestures have woven a priceless layer of memories of national unity.
Historical - cultural tourist destination
Every National Day September 2nd, Doi Tuc Dup welcomes groups of tourists and veterans to gather and burn incense in gratitude. Stepping through dangerous stone roads and exploring the furnace system helps tourists deeply feel the price of peace and the great strength of the people's hearts.
Not only is it a journey to find history, visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy the rich scenery of Co To mountain and experience the unique Khmer cultural space with local cuisine. Each cave and moat here has turned Tuc Dup into a meaningful tourist destination - a place where history blends with modern life in the heart of An Giang.
