The tourist site covers 20 hectares of lush green trees and bamboo. The entrance gate features a stylized giant egg recalling the legendary origin of the Vietnamese people, said to be hatched from 100 eggs laid by the Dragon Lord Lac Long Quan and the Fairy Goddess Au Co. Typical scenic and cultural features of Vietnam are recreated here, including the Co Loa citadel gate, Ban Gioc waterfall and the terraced rice fields of Vietnam’s northern mountains, and the stilt houses of the Central Highlands.
A giant egg at the entrance recalls the legendary origin of the Vietnamese people. (Photo: VOV)

It took the site’s creator Tran Thi Tuyet Nga 30 years to back-fill the swamps and bomb craters of Cu Chi, once a fierce battle field. Nga grew up in the Cu Chi forest and fought in the war, so she knows Cu Chi as intimately as anyone else does. When peace was restored, Nga established the cooperative “A Glimpse of Vietnam”, which has evolved into a tourist site.

Nga said, “As part of the resistance, I witnessed with my own eyes the pain the Cu Chi people suffered during the war. After reunification, when I returned from studying overseas, this place was miserable. I decided to do something for it. I believed that those who brave difficulties need to invest in culture. I’m doing that now.”

Tran Thi Tuyet Nga is the creator of the “A Glimpse of Vietnam” tourist site. (Photo: VOV)

Nga insists on sustainable tourism. Her project instills national pride and promotes national culture. Nga has traveled to every corner of Vietnam to collect historical artifacts, cultural antiques, and hundreds of plant species. She has also invited artisans from handicraft villages to guide tours of the site.

Nguyen Thi Huong of Dong Cao, the poonah paper making village in Bac Ninh province, said she is thrilled to introduce the traditional craft to young people. “Kids love making poonah paper and printing pictures using ancient techniques. I’m happy to promote the traditional craft of my hometown to a wider audience,” said Huong.

Nga’s “A Glimpse of Vietnam” tourist site encompasses a high-tech zone that explains the importance of water and soil to life, organic agriculture, mushroom cultivation, and the production of herbal oil.

Van Cong Hung, Vice Director of the tourist site, said the project integrates tourism and education about natural resources and environmental protection.

“I think it was a great idea to build this high-tech zone. Here pupils learn how to filter fresh water, how to clean soil, and how to protect the environment. We hope our small project will spread a meaningful message,” according to Hung.

The site welcomes young visitors. (Photo: VOV)

This tourist site welcomes visitors of all ages. Children are taught about the environment and adults are reminded of their childhood, according to visitor Thuong Thi Gua.

“It’s cool and beautiful here. The tour guides are really enthusiastic. This site reminds me of the rudimentary houses and gardens I know when I was small that I no longer see living in a modern city. This is a great experience for me, for old people, and for young people alike,” said Gua.