After the series of articles "Hang Tam Co - war memorial site hoping to be worthy of the relic", Lao Dong Newspaper reporter had an interview with Vice Chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Tan to better understand the orientation and determination of the locality towards this relic.
Could you tell us how Quang Binh province has protected and promoted the historical site of Hang 8 Thanh Nien Xung Phong (also known as Hang Tam Co) in recent times?
In recent times, Quang Binh province has regularly and effectively implemented activities to protect and promote the value of the system of historical - cultural relics and scenic spots in the area, including the historical relic of Hang Tam Co. Currently, the relic has been included in important planning and projects of the province in the coming period.
Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee has directed the Department of Culture and Sports and the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board to synchronously deploy activities to manage, protect and exploit the value of the historical relic Hang Tam Co, in which the restoration and embellishment of the relic is always given attention.
In recent years, from many funding sources such as the provincial budget, sponsorship sources, socialization... many items of the relic have been built such as: Memorial temple, waiting area for visitors, housing and working area for officials, parking lot...
Thanks to that, the relic has increasingly become a war memorial site to educate revolutionary traditions and patriotism; an unmissable destination for tourists when coming to the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, to Quang Binh, especially in the journeys "Revisiting the old battlefield", "Returning to the source" ...
In the restoration and embellishment of the Hang Tam Co relic, what difficulties is the locality facing, sir?
The People's Committee of Quang Binh province and localities and enterprises have paid attention to investing and renovating many important works at the historical relic of Hang Tam Co. Under the impact of time, harsh weather factors, and limited operation and maintenance capabilities, some items at the relic have been damaged and degraded.
In addition, the increasing number of visitors to the relic site has created an urgent need for the restoration, upgrading and expansion of the relic site. However, Hang Tam Co is located in an old forest, in a difficult terrain, causing great obstacles to the construction process. The restoration, upgrading and expansion of the relic site requires a large amount of funding while the province's budget is still difficult, and the funding for the restoration and embellishment of the relic site is limited, not meeting the demand.
Although the work of attracting investment and calling for socialization has had some initial results, it has not yet met expectations, causing many obstacles in the restoration and upgrading of relics. It can be said that the large budget, mobilized from many different sources, so the lack of synchronization in planning and investment is the biggest limitation and difficulty of the province.
So, according to you, what are the next directions of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province in the restoration and embellishment of the Hang Tam Co relic?
To be worthy of the stature and value of the relic and to serve the needs of visitors, in the coming time, Quang Binh province will further strengthen the state management of the relic. The province will promote the synchronous and effective implementation of activities to protect and promote the value of the relic; improve the quality of the staff directly managing and serving at the relic; prioritize the allocation of resources to restore and embellish existing items.
At the same time, strengthen investment attraction, call for resources to build more items and supporting works such as: Gratitude Tower, bell tower, exhibition house, expand the relic site, parking lot area...
In addition to prioritizing local resources to restore and embellish the Hang Tam Co relic, Quang Binh province also hopes to continue receiving attention and support from localities and businesses to invest in building the relic to be more and more worthy of its value, showing the gratitude of today's generations for the noble sacrifices of those who fell for the cause of national unification and the longevity of the nation.
Could you elaborate on the local determination in the development of Hang Tam Co in the coming time?
As a war memorial site, an indispensable destination for tourists when coming to Quang Binh, preserving and further promoting the value of the Hang Tam Co relic is the desire of all levels, sectors and local people.
The Provincial People's Committee has assigned the Department of Culture and Sports to preside over and coordinate with the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board and relevant agencies, units and localities to advise on the development of a plan to preserve and promote the values of historical and cultural relics in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park to serve as a basis for unified and methodical direction in the work of preserving, planning, attracting investment and promoting the values of historical relics in general and the historical relic of Hang Tam Co in particular.
Quang Binh province aims to build a plan, invest in conservation and develop relics in a synchronous manner, consistent with history, culture, and nature, both as a war memorial site and a cultural and spiritual site, associated with the legendary Truong Son Road - Ho Chi Minh Road, associated with the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.
