The Eight Ladies Cave Historical Site (also known as Eight Volunteers Cave) has become a "red address" for locals and tourists when coming to Quang Binh. Over the past 50 years, the story of the volunteers who devoted their youth to national independence is still there. But up to now, the Site has not yet met the expectations of locals, tourists and the government.
Lao Dong Newspaper started publishing a series of articles about Hang Tam Co - a "red address", a place to educate patriotism, a tribute from future generations; as well as the work of preserving and promoting the value, worthy of the relic.
Address of gratitude
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Truyen (39 years old, in Van Trach commune, Bo Trach district) is a driver who often passes through the historical site of Hang Tam Co. Every time he comes to the site, he often burns incense to pay respect to the heroic martyrs.
“Lighting incense and silently thanking the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the Fatherland. The heroic death of those who came before us has helped us have the life we have today. I also pray that you will bless me with a safe journey,” Truyen confided.
Mr. Truyen also expressed his wish that the Hang Tam Co relic site be invested in and expanded into a large-scale memorial site. Many locals and tourists also want this place to be expanded in scale and area to be worthy of the heroic sacrifice of the martyrs.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (the unit assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to directly manage the relic) has recently coordinated with the Department of Culture and Sports (DOC) to carry out activities to manage, protect and exploit the value of the relic.
From the provincial budget, support from localities, businesses, projects, etc., many items have been implemented such as renovating Hang Tam Co; building a memorial temple, a stone relief, a waiting area, an explanation area, a housing and working area for officials, etc.
The relic has become an attraction for many visitors in "returning to the source" activities, contributing to educating revolutionary traditions for the people, especially the young generation.
Desire to expand
Mr. Le Chieu Nguyen - Deputy Director of Phong Nha - Ke Bang Tourism Center said that the desire of the people, staff of the Center as well as Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is to be able to develop a larger spiritual tourism area to commemorate heroic martyrs, commensurate with other spiritual tourism spots such as Truong Bon, Dong Loc Intersection, or other spots.
The Eight Ladies Cave relic is a highlight on Route 20 - Quyet Thang, where there are also many historical relics strung together such as Ba Thang slope, Tra Ang cave, Memorial Temple for Heroes and Martyrs of Route 20 - Quyet Thang...
The center also hopes that around the Hang Tam Co area, many other spiritual sites will be expanded and built on a larger scale, connecting them as a journey of gratitude for visitors.
Over the past years, Phong Nha - Ke Bang Tourism Center, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Quang Binh province have made many recommendations regarding the planning of the expansion of the Road 20 - Quyet Thang relic. In particular, the implementation of investment in items in the relic chain such as gratitude tower, expansion of the area, having a square to organize major events... has not been implemented yet.
Currently, the Hang Tam Co relic is included in the Master Plan for the construction of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province until 2030; Master Plan for the development of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Tourism Area, Quang Binh province until 2030; Project for eco-tourism, resort and entertainment of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, period 2021 - 2030.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Binh province is being assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Construction, the Management Board of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and relevant agencies to advise on the development of a plan to preserve and promote the value of relics within the scope of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, including the Hang Tam Co relic.
Mr. Mai Xuan Thanh - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Binh shared: The Provincial People's Committee and localities, enterprises have paid attention to investing and renovating the Hang Tam Co relic. However, because Quang Binh is currently facing difficulties in budget collection, there are not enough resources to continue implementing some additional auxiliary items, so that the relic becomes more and more spacious, serving visitors better.
As a "red address", an indispensable destination for tourists when coming to Quang Binh, preserving and further promoting the value of the relic is the desire of all levels, sectors and local people.
“The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism hopes to continue receiving the attention and support of businesses in investing in some additional items, such as expanding the relic site, building some spiritual works such as the gratitude tower, so that the relic is more worthy of the noble sacrifice of the brothers and sisters who fell for the Fatherland” - Mr. Mai Xuan Thanh said.
