The K20 Revolutionary Base Area was recognised as a National-level Historical Site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2010. Over the years, Da Nang has upgraded and invested in various construction items to preserve and promote the value of this historical site, educating future generations about the patriotic traditions of their ancestors.

Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tran Ngoc Trung (left) and comrades visiting the K20 Traditional House. Photo: X.H

The bright spot of heritage tourism

Located approximately 7km southeast of the city centre, the K20 Revolutionary Base Area in the Da Man area, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, symbolises the indomitable revolutionary spirit of the people of Da Nang during the struggles against French colonialism and American imperialism. Today, this base area serves as a ‘red address’ helping the younger generation remember and understand the heroic struggle, unity, and creativity of the people of Ngu Hanh Son District and Da Nang as a whole.

According to Mr Nguyen Van Hien, Head of the Management Board of Marble Mountains Tourist Area (the unit directly managing the K20 site), the K20 Revolutionary Base Area is a familiar destination for various city tours and educational activities such as outdoor traditional education activities, new party member induction ceremonies, specialised activities, and historical field trips organised by schools. Statistics show that this historical site welcomes 5,000 to 6,000 visitors annually.

Recognised as a National-level Historical Site in 2010, the city has invested funds in renovating and constructing various facilities to protect and promote the value of this heritage site. In 2022, the Da Nang People's Committee approved a tourism development investment project for the K20 base area to be implemented from 2022 to 2024.

As shared by Mr Le Tan Nghia, Director of the Ngu Hanh Son District Construction Investment Project Management Board, the project focuses on investing in essential facilities within the base area according to the city's guidelines, including restoring the Dong Hamlet tunnel, secret tunnels, a complex of foundation platforms, courtyards, pathways, central courtyards, regulating lakes, lighting systems, decorative lighting, water supply, and drainage systems. The total investment for the project covering an area of 60,302m2 is nearly VND15 billion, sourced from the city's budget.

Potential for historical tourism development

To attract tourists and develop historical tourism destinations, the Management Board has built and trained a team of guides knowledgeable about the history of the site, integrated and promoted the image of this heritage site directly at the Ngu Hanh Son Scenic Area, and invited travel agencies to participate in exploiting this destination. In addition, with the policy of developing inland waterway tourism routes with the Han River port route - K20 inland waterway terminal, the Quan The Am (Avalokiteshvara)Pagoda inland waterway terminal, and vice versa will be an opportunity to attract more tourists to the K20 site specifically, and Ngu Hanh Son District in general.

Born, raised, and fought on the K20 land, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tran Ngoc Trung expressed "During the resistance against the US, although it was a small village, every family here was a revolutionary stronghold. Every house had secret shelters. Passing on the heroic tradition of our ancestors to younger generations is essential. The city needs to pay attention and invest in projects to keep the heritage alive, helping tourists and younger generations learn deeply about the history of the nation."

Chairman of Ngu Hanh Son District People's Committee Nguyen Hoa stated that the K20 Revolutionary Base Area tourism development investment project was approved by the Da Nang People's Committee for investment direction for the 2022-2024 period.

He added that the project's goal is to preserve and promote the existing historical value of the revolutionary base area, to propagate for people and tourists to understand more deeply about the heroic revolutionary struggle history of the site, contributing to educating the patriotic spirit and traditions of the nation.

It is expected that after being approved by the Committee through the total investment adjustment and supplementation of more than VND 22.96 billion, the project will be completed in 2026, promising to be a destination for tourists from all over on their journey to historical revolutionary relics in order to preserve and promote values and educate patriotic traditions of present and future generations.

Reporting by XUAN HAU - Translating by T. VY