via Vietnam Plus, 25 October 2023: The Prime Minister of Vietnam has officially designated two more sites in Quang Ninh as special national relics. These are the Van Don port in Van Don district, a significant trading center from the 12th to 18th centuries, and the Tra Co communal house in Mong Cai City, an architectural and artistic relic with a rich history. The move is part of Quang Ninh’s broader strategy to become a must-visit destination in Vietnam.
The Tra Co communal house is one of Vietnam’s significant historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic relics. It was designated as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports, and Tourism (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) in 1974. So far, no historical or scientific evidence has been found to confirm its precise age. Various theories have been proposed, with the earliest dating back to the 15th century. Based on the architectural features that have been preserved, it can be inferred that the communal house was constructed between the late 17th and early 18th century. The site embodies a rich history and cultural significance, representing the architectural and artistic values of the Red River Delta region and inheriting the artistic essence of a historical period. In 2014, the provincial People’s Committee recognised Tra Co as one of the 15 tourist attractions in Mong Cai city, which also included the Tra Co church, Tra Co temple, Xuan Lan pagoda, and Nam Tho pagoda.
The Van Don port, meanwhile, was once a major trading port of Dai Viet (ancient Vietnam). Existing from the mid-12th century to the late 18th century in the coastal region that now belongs to Quang Ninh, the port served as a significant and vital trading centre for Vietnam at that time. Myriad merchants and ships came here from across Asia and Europe to engage in the trade and exchange of goods.
Source: Quang Ninh has two more special national relic sites | Travel | Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)
