The first phase of Gac Ma memorial site was inaugurated on July 15. This is a new destination for visiting and commemorating soldiers fighting for Gac Ma island (John South Reef).
The first phase of Gac Ma memorial site was inaugurated on July 15. This is a new destination for visiting and commemorating soldiers fighting for Gac Ma island (John South Reef).
Situated on Nguyen Tat Thanh Boulevard, Gac Ma memorial site is 20 km apart from the center of Nha Trang City. It has been built to be dedicated to 64 Vietnamese naval soldiers killed in the battle on March 14, 1988 to defend Gac Ma island (John South Reef) in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly). The memorial site covers an area of 2.5 hectares. Its highlight is a monument featuring the naval soldiers holding hands in an “eternal circle” to safeguard the national flag symbolizing the national sovereignty on Gac Ma island. The site also has a square named Hoa Binh (Peace) and a museum displaying souvenirs and images of the soldiers and the battle 30 years ago. The memorial site is a spiritual destination, raising the awareness of the country’s sea, island sovereignty.
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Phan Dinh Thao, Deputy director of Saigontourist Nha Trang, said that Gac Ma memorial site is a destination with good architecture and suitable location with tours Saigontourist operates for tourists to Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa. Saigontourist has taken some groups of tourists to this destinations and their feedbacks are good. In the coming time, the travel firm will bring more tourists here. Le Kim Nhut, Director of Nha Trang Tre Travel Co., Ltd., also said that, “Gac Ma memorial site is located on the road from Cam Ranh International Airport to Nha Trang, therefore it’s very good to bring tourists to the destination to visit and know more about the country’s history. It’s also suitable with tours for students.”
According to Deputy director of the provincial Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, the Gac Ma memorial site is one of destinations the department will survey as a new tourist welcoming spot in the coming time. After that, the department will do formalities for the destination to officially become a destination for visitors. The department also encourages travel companies to put this new destination into their tour programs.
With its meaningful historical value, Gac Ma memorial site is expected to attract visitors, both domestic and foreign.
N.T
Translated by T.T
