Chi tiết tin - Sở Ngoại vụ

Hien Luong - Ben Hai Special National Historical Site

1. A treasury of memory - the foundation of Quang Tri’s soft power

Quang Tri has long been a global symbol of war and reconciliation. Landmarks such as the Quang Tri Citadel, the Hien Luong - Ben Hai river banks, the former DMZ, and the Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery are “red addresses” that attract tens of thousands of visitors and scholars each year.

Beyond its historical significance, Quang Tri also preserves the unique cultural identity of the Vna Kieu - Pa Ko communities, whose festivals, folk music, handicrafts, performing arts, and traditional cuisine provide rich material for cultural and creative products, artistic expression, media, and international exchange.

2. A world-class natural landscape - Quang Tri’s strategic advantage

Phong Nha - Ke Bang, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, is an invaluable treasure distinguished by its majestic limestone mountains, vast primeval forests, and extraordinary cave systems.

Son Đoong, the world’s largest cave, has long been a centerpiece of global media attention. The fact that this heritage site now falls within the province’s new administrative boundaries opens major opportunities for Quang Tri to become one of the rare localities in the world that simultaneously possesses internationally recognized war–peace heritage and outstanding natural heritage.

This forms a strong foundation for the development of adventure tourism, eco-tourism, film production, scientific research, and international cooperation in conservation.

Son Đoong - The world’s largest cave

3. Three strategic pillars in Quang Tri’s cultural diplomacy development

- Digitizing heritage to bring Quang Tri closer to the world. In the digital age, a locality’s image must reach audiences long before visitors arrive in person. Quang Tri should focus on:

+ Developing a comprehensive digital map of the province, including historical sites, heritage assets, and indigenous cultural spaces.

+ Creating an internationally standardized repository of images, videos, and documentary films.

+ Building a modern, consistent brand identity system.

These solutions will significantly enhance Quang Tri’s visibility and accessibility in the global digital landscape.

- Building festivals of regional and international scale. With its convergence of history, nature, and culture, Quang Tri is well-positioned to host major festival series, such as:

+ Festival For Peace: Honoring the values of reconciliation and attracting the interest of the international community.

+ Truong Son Heritage - Caves - Nature Festival: Connecting adventure tourism, indigenous culture, and exploration sports, leveraging strengths such as Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Son Đoong.

These festivals serve not only as promotional tools but also as foundations for Quang Tri to become a hub of international cultural exchange.

- Mobilizing the creative community to bring Quang Tri’s identity to the world

Quang Tri is increasingly attracting artists, filmmakers, researchers, tourism businesses, and creative startups. Artistic works and documentaries on Son Đoong, Truong Son, the DMZ, or the Van Kieu - Pa Ko culture have strong potential for global resonance, helping to promote the province’s image worldwide.

This is soft cultural diplomacy - spreading values through creativity, storytelling, and emotional connection.

4. Aspiration to become a regional connector within the Mekong Subregion

Located along the East - West Economic Corridor, Quang Tri plays a pivotal role in facilitating exchanges among Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Cultural diplomacy enables the province to:

- Promote its heritage to international partners

- Attract investors and experts

- Expand cooperation in tourism, culture, and education

- Position itself as a convergence point of the Mekong Subregion

5. Digital transformation in external communication - the key to global outreach

Quang Tri’s ability to project its image globally depends heavily on its capacity for digital transformation in external communications. The province should advance:

- A unified digital platform for external information

+ A multilingual information portal integrating data on heritage, culture, tourism, and investment

+ AI applications for translation, trend analysis, and content personalization

- International communications powered by new technologies

+ 360° videos and 3D simulations of the Quang Tri Citadel, DMZ, and Son Đoong

+ VR/AR technologies for education and tourism promotion

+ A significantly expanded presence across global digital platforms

- Open data for culture, tourism, and the environment

+ Developing open datasets for research, filmmaking, and business use

+ Connecting data among government agencies, businesses, and the creative community

Digital transformation is not merely a tool- it is the gateway for Quang Tri to integrate more deeply into global information flows.

6. Soft power paving the way for Quang Tri’s new position

Today’s Quang Tri represents a unique blend of wartime memory, a spirit of peace, indigenous culture, and world-class natural heritage. When harnessed with creativity, modern technology, and a well-designed cultural diplomacy strategy, these values will become a powerful driver for the province’s breakthrough development.

Cultural diplomacy not only promotes the province’s image but also lays the foundation for Quang Tri to define a new position - one of rich identity, a commitment to peace, international appeal, and a strong aspiration for integration in the 21st century.

Tran Ngoc Lan, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs