14 New National Relics Recognized

14 New National Relics Recognized

Through a signed decision, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has formally recognized 14 sites as special national relics, which brings its total number to 48 according to the country’s records. It could be recalled in September of 2013 where the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested the National Cultural Heritage Council to appraise several national special relics in the fourth phase to submit the Prime Minister. The proposed relics coming from seven provinces and cities, now officially recognized are the following:

1. Truong Son Trail (also regarded as the Ho Chi Minh Road Trail) – a complex maze of roads located in the provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang BInh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc. The primitive footpaths served as a major supply line for both manpower and materiel during history

2. Hai Ba Trung Temple - a Buddhist temple located around 2 kilometers south of  Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi’s Me Linh district. This popular worship place was said to be built in honor of two Vietnamese heroines in 1142

3. Hat Mon Temple located in Phuc Tho district, Hanoi

4. Tran dynasty historical relic located in Dong Trieu district, province of Quang Ninh. The area holds numerous relics of specific pagodas and worshipping temples during the Tran dynasty, all which carry great contribution to the establishment and development of Buddhism in the country. The district is also where most tombs of kings and queens of the 14th century Tran Dynasty are resting

5. The Tran Hung Dao forest located in Nguyen Binh district of Cao Bang province

6. Ben Hai wharf and Hien Luong bridge (Vinh Linh and Gio Linh districts, Quang Tri province). The Hien Luong bridge which stretches over Ben Hai River served as a symbol of the border line between the country’s north and south during the US-Vietnam war.

7. Quang Tri ancient citadel and locations to celebrate the incident of 81 days and nights in 1972 (Quang Tri’s Hai Lang and Trieu Phong districts)

8. The Chuong Thien victory site located in Hau Giang’s Vi Thanh city and Long My district for its significance to the country’s victory in the war against US

9. The Phu Dong Temple architecture and historic site in Gia Lam district, Hanoi, said to be dedicated to  a Vietnamese National Hero-Saint Giong (Thanh Giong)

10. The Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc Son Temple historic relics located on Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. Hoan Kiem Lake is considered the most beautiful lake in the city and arguably Hanoi's public focal point. Ngọc Son Temple is in the center of a small island in the middle of the lake. 

11. The Tay Dang Temple known to bededicated to the local hero Tan Vien Son Tinh. The  architecture site is located in Hanoi’s Ba Vi district

12. But Thap Pagoda of Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province. This is one of the most popular pagodas in the north of Vietnam and is known as the center of Buddhism.

13. Dau pagoda architecture site (Bac Ninh’s Thuan Thanh district) said to be the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam

14. Cat Ba archipelago in Cat Hai district, Hai Phong The newly added sites will be part of the government’s ongoing preservation project.