On 9/3, the People's Committee of Son Tra Ward announced the "Son Tra 102" project. It aims to collect and systematize around 100 representative stories, landmarks, figures, and artifacts connected to the local history, culture, and nature.

According to Nguyen Huy Binh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Son Tra Ward, the stories will be developed based on the experiences of residents and tourists visiting the area. "The project aims to create a publication of scientific, historical, and cultural value, while also helping to shape Son Tra Ward's identity," Binh stated.

The project will run from 3/2026 to 6/2027, comprising four phases: preparation; data collection and writing; synthesis, editing, and design; and publication and launch. The ward will invite scientists, cultural and historical researchers, journalists, and photographers to participate in field surveys, data gathering, and image creation.

A lighthouse built by the French in 1902 on Son Tra peninsula. *Nguyen Dong*

Dinh Vui, Chairman of the People's Committee of Son Tra Ward, noted that the area boasts a unique ecosystem, blending forest, river, and sea. The "Son Tra 102" project aims to affirm the locality's distinct identity and foster community pride.

"We expect the project to connect the past with the present, spread Son Tra's cultural and historical values, and gain the support of scientists and residents," Vui said.

Explaining the name "Son Tra 102", Hoang Son Tra, Secretary of the Ward Party Committee, stated that the project initially planned to select 100 representative stories. However, the number 102 carries a deeper meaning: 100 represents stories from the past; 101 symbolizes those directly implementing the project in the present; and 102 signifies looking towards the future and the community.

"This is a continuous flow of history and also an interesting wordplay for the Son Tra brand," Hoang Son Tra remarked. The project idea stemmed from concerns that many local historical memories and information had not been systematically preserved.

Evaluating this initiative, People's Artist Huynh Van Hung commented that it is rare for a ward-level unit to implement such a creative cultural project. Son Tra is not only the city's "green lung" but also holds many "layers of cultural sediment," with ancient communal houses, the Cau Ngu festival, and a distinctive fishing village life.

However, Hung also frankly pointed out issues where land allocated for culture might be reduced or misused under pressure from economic growth. Therefore, local leaders must steadfastly preserve the natural and cultural values "bestowed by heaven and earth" to form a foundation for sustainable tourism development and serve the spiritual life of the people.

Researcher Ho Trung Tu (second from right) introduces an ancient painting and suggests using AI to animate the life of former Son Tra residents. *Nguyen Dong*

Researcher Ho Trung Tu believes Son Tra is a land with a special history and cultural identity, formed through many layers of coastal community sediment. He cited documentation from a 1793 painting to show that the area was once quite isolated, allowing many traditional cultural values to be preserved relatively intact.

According to Tu, the project should focus on identifying distinctive marine cultural heritage, such as the "Ong" fish temples in Man Thai and Tho Quang, as these are typical markers of fishermen's beliefs. It is important to preserve the "fishing village identity" in local life and cuisine, even as the Tho Quang boat dock area develops significantly in tourism and marine services.

The researcher also suggested applying technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to animate historical documents. For example, from the 1793 painting, character images could be reconstructed, able to stand and move, to recount stories of past Son Tra residents' lives, helping viewers better understand marine culture and the "Ong" fish beliefs.

"Son Tra's cultural treasure is very rich, so 102 identifying features might still be a modest number," Tu said, adding that combining historical documents with modern technology could create engaging cultural experiences for the public and tourists.

The symbolic logo of Son Tra Ward, featuring forest, sea, a lighthouse, and a radar station, has been applied to various items, including a clock hanging in the ward People's Committee hall. *Nguyen Dong*

On the same occasion, the People's Committee of Son Tra Ward also launched the locality's brand identity kit. The logo is designed from the stylized letters "ST," forming a mountain reaching out to the sea, with two shades of green and blue symbolizing forest and ocean.

The emblem integrates distinctive images such as the radar station on Son Tra peninsula—often called "Indochina's divine eye"—and the Son Tra lighthouse, a symbol guiding ships and representing coastal residents' aspiration to reach the open sea.

Nguyen Dong