Con Dao marks 40 years since its recognition as a special national historical site

ABO/NDO – A ceremony was held at Hang Duong cemetery in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province on April 26 to celebrate 40 years since Con Dao was recognised as a special national historical site (1979-2019).

A performance at the ceremony (Photo: baobariavungtau.com.vn)

The event saw the presence of former President Nguyen Minh Triet, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, war veterans, Vietnamese heroic mothers, former Con Dao prisoners, heroes of armed forces, and Con Dao district residents.

Con Dao special national historical site includes the Con Dao prison - nicknamed as the ‘Hell on Earth’ through its 113-year history, where dozens of thousands of Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers were detained during the national struggles against the French and US.

However, many of the prisoners rose from the darkness of the prison to become excellent leaders of the Party and State, including comrades Le Hong Phong, Nguyen Van Cu, Le Duan, Nguyen Van Linh, and Ton Duc Thang.

Around 20,000 people laid down their lives on the land of Con Dao and rest in peace at Hang Duong cemetery.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh applauded Ba Ria – Vung Tau province’s Party Committee, authorities and people for preserving and promoting the historical value of Con Dao.

She called for more effort to popularise the historical story of Con Dao in order to educate national pride and patriotism among people, particularly among the younger generation, while turning the site into an attractive tourist destination for visitors from both at home and abroad.

(Source: NDO)