Son La Prison National Special Monument.

Mobilizing resources for the restoration and preservation of historical relics.

Son La currently has 96 historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, including 2 special national relics, 16 national relics, 47 provincial relics, and 31 unclassified relics. Of these, 61 relics are historical and cultural sites that have been recognized by various levels of government, representing historical evidence from prehistoric times, feudal times to the modern era, and are distributed throughout the province.

The Son La Prison National Special Monument was severely damaged during the war. To date, after numerous restoration and renovation efforts, several original structures have been restored. Particularly during the period of 2019-2023, the monument underwent restoration and reconstruction of its architectural structures, with a total cost exceeding 15 billion VND from the state budget and donations to the monument.

Children visit the Son La Prison National Special Monument.

Mr. Le Hong Quan, Director of the Provincial Culture and Sports Center, said: The unit currently manages the Son La Prison National Special Monument, the Que Lam Imperial Inscription, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple, and the Son La Hydropower Reservoir Cultural Heritage Exhibition House. The remaining relics are managed by local authorities in the province. Some large-scale projects in various localities have established relic management boards, which helps to improve management and exploitation, while also contributing positively to the protection, mobilization of resources for restoration, preservation, and promotion of the relics' value.

Recent years have witnessed dramatic changes to many valuable historical sites in Son La province. Among them is the project to protect, restore, and promote the value of the historical site of the resistance war against the French in Ban Nhot forest, Gia Phu commune, which began construction in 2020 with many items including a memorial house, grounds, and landscaping, with a total socialized funding of over 20 billion VND. The Martyrs' Memorial Temple at the Pha Din Pass historical and cultural site, Muong E commune, also built in 2023 with socialized capital, has now completed Phase I with many major items finished, fulfilling the aspiration for a place to honor the heroic martyrs.

The provincial delegation inspected the progress of the project to restore and promote the historical value of the Co Noi Crossroads historical site.

The Co Noi Crossroads historical site, with its restoration and preservation project, has completed Phase I with a total investment of nearly 15 billion VND; Phase II is currently underway, encompassing major construction projects, landscape improvements, technical infrastructure, and especially a spiritual memorial area including a memorial house, commemorative plaque, spiritual tower, exhibition house, etc., with a total investment of over 100 billion VND, expected to be completed by 2030.

For example, in the Moc Chau National Tourist Area, the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment Memorial Site, which was renovated 10 years ago, features a special design inspired by the poem "Tay Tien," including a traditional house, a relief sculpture, a commemorative plaque, a memorial area, and a viewing platform. To this day, the site is still regularly upgraded and well-managed, becoming a destination of gratitude for domestic and international visitors when they have the opportunity to visit the Moc Chau National Tourist Area.

Over the years, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local authorities have consistently focused on protecting, ranking, and planning the restoration and preservation of historical sites. By 2025, 58 sites had been surveyed and demarcated for protection; 38 sites had undergone restoration and rehabilitation, focusing on repairing key components. This contributed to preserving the original elements of the sites, creating a green, clean, and beautiful environment, effectively serving the purpose of historical education, and meeting the needs of the people and tourists for sightseeing and cultural and spiritual activities.

Visitors offer incense at the historical memorial site of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment.

Reviving the "historical landmarks"

Along with mobilizing resources for the restoration and preservation of historical sites, the management, protection, and promotion of their value have been emphasized by various sectors and localities. Historical sites have become "red addresses" in conservation efforts and in organizing activities related to historical roots and revolutionary tradition education. A prime example is the annual educational and communication activities organized by the Provincial Cultural and Sports Center at the Son La Prison National Special Monument. Each year, the center organizes 4-5 experiential educational activities to learn about local history and culture, introduce heritage sites and historical figures, attracting thousands of visitors.

Moreover, historical sites are also being digitized, such as the application for visiting the Son La Prison National Special Monument using VR (virtual reality) technology, or youth projects on "Digitizing historical sites" using QR codes at Moc Ly Fort; the historical site commemorating the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment; the place where President Ho Chi Minh spoke with cadres and workers of Moc Chau State Farm; the place where President Ho Chi Minh spoke with cadres and people of ethnic groups in Moc Chau; the Bat Cave scenic spot; Co Noi Crossroads…

The historical site commemorating the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment has been renovated with significant investment and design, featuring many important and meaningful elements. (Photo by PV)

Ms. Lo Ngoc Muon, a tour guide at the Tay Tien Regiment Memorial Site, shared: "Each year, the site welcomes over 10,000 visitors, mostly veteran groups, students, and delegations from within and outside the province. To better serve visitors, we have installed QR code boards at 6 points corresponding to the 6 major sections of the memorial site. Visitors only need to scan the code to read or listen to automated explanations about the sections in detail and clearly. This QR code system has effectively supported the management of the memorial site and served visitors at all times."

Digitalization has brought existing historical relics to life in the digital space, bringing images, information, and historical values ​​of these relics closer to the public. These digitized relic projects also bear the strong imprint of youth, demonstrating the responsibility of the younger generation towards history, applying technology to connect the past and present, and building meaningful lessons about revolutionary traditions for the younger generation.

The temple dedicated to General Vo Nguyen Giap, Gia Phu commune.

Mr. Mua A De, Vice Chairman of the Gia Phu Commune People's Committee and Head of the Management Board of the Nhat Village Forest Historical Relic Site, said: The digital tourism project "Tourist Guide to the Nhat Village Forest Historical Relic Site" was launched in 2025 with the goal of digitizing the management of the relic site. The commune has directed mass organizations, especially the Youth Union, to strengthen the organization of activities to educate about revolutionary traditions at the relic site; to introduce and spread the image of the relic site and the pride in the legacy of General Vo Nguyen Giap in his hometown to friends and tourists.

Tourists scan the QR code to view information about the Co Noi Crossroads historical site.

Historical sites, especially those that have been restored and upgraded along National Highway 6 and National Highway 37, are becoming attractive destinations on the journey of cultural and historical tourism. With a commitment to attracting resources for preservation and solutions to enhance the value of historical sites, Son La has been reviving the "life" of these ancient landmarks, transforming them into heroic epics that resonate in the modern era, preserving the traditional heritage, and becoming the soul of unique "cultural and historical tourism" products in Son La.

Thanh Dao