Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, recently signed a decision approving the project to construct the Museum of War Memories and Aspiration for Peace. The museum will be located in Cua Tung commune, adjacent to the Hien Luong - Ben Hai special national relic site. The project will be funded by the national target program on cultural development for the phase 2025-2035.

The project outlines the construction schedule: phase 2026-2028 will focus on main structures and the collection of documents and artifacts. In 2029, interior installations, exhibition system completion, and operational staff training will take place. The facility is expected to be finished in late 2030.

This will be a national-level museum, extending beyond the scope of war memories in Quang Tri to encompass the nationwide resistance war against the US, with Quang Tri serving as a central point for connecting and expanding its narrative.

The northern junction of the Hien Luong - Ben Hai river, where the museum will be built. Photo: Dac Thanh

The museum will span approximately 11 ha, featuring two permanent exhibition spaces and one non-permanent thematic exhibition area. Additionally, the project includes artifact storage facilities, office spaces, and auxiliary amenities to support research and accommodate visitors.

The outdoor area is designed to integrate with the relic site's landscape, incorporating service facilities to enhance visitor experiences. The museum plans to utilize modern technologies such as virtual reality (VR/AR) projections, documentaries, and 3D-4D simulations to boost viewer interaction and engagement.

According to the Quang Tri provincial People's Committee, the Museum of War Memories and Aspiration for Peace aims to preserve, conserve, and promote the value of war memory heritage from the resistance war against the US during the 1954-1975 period. It will also highlight post-war memories in peacetime and aspirations for independence, unity, territorial integrity, and national reconciliation, fostering solidarity to build and protect a civilized and prosperous Vietnam.

The province anticipates that the museum, linked with the Hien Luong - Ben Hai special national relic site, will establish a new cultural tourism highlight along the Central Heritage Road. Alongside the Phong Nha - Ke Bang world natural heritage site, the project is expected to attract domestic and international tourists, contributing to the province's socio-economic development.

The Hien Luong - Ben Hai special national relic site. Photo: Dac Thanh

Quang Tri holds a unique position in Central Vietnam, having been a fierce battlefield during the resistance war against the US, earning it the moniker "land of fire". It marks numerous brutal battles. Many locations in Quang Tri are associated with significant historical events, including the ancient citadel, Khe Sanh, Cua Viet, Hien Luong - Ben Hai, Road 20 Quyet Thang, and Ngu Thuy. These sites have become symbols of the Vietnamese people's resilient spirit and aspiration for independence.

Currently, Quang Tri province houses over 5,000 documents and artifacts related to the resistance war against the US. Thousands of artifacts are displayed at the provincial museum, traditional houses, and exhibition centers at various relic sites. Large artifacts, such as helicopter wrecks, tanks, and aircraft tails collected from battlefields, are considered crucial resources for the new museum's exhibition content.

Dac Thanh