Tuc Dup Hill, a place deeply imbued with historical significance and possessing majestic natural landscapes, is an unmissable destination when traveling to An Giang. This place is not only a witness to the heroic years of national resistance but also an attractive ecotourism spot with unique cave systems and many exciting entertainment activities. Let’s explore Tuc Dup Hill to feel the beauty of the intersection between history and nature, a meaningful exploration journey in the legendary That Son region.
Tuc Dup Hill: The “Two Million Dollar” Hill and a Glorious Historical Mark
Strategic Location and Legendary Place
Tuc Dup Hill is located in An Tuc commune, Tri Ton district, An Giang province, leaning against the western slope of Co To mountain, about 18km from the center of Tri Ton town. With a height of 216m and an area of over 2,200m2, Tuc Dup Hill is not only prominent for its hiểm trở ( hiểm trở – dangerous, rugged) terrain but also for its unique geological structure. Large and small rocks stacked on top of each other form a mysterious natural cave system, with many interconnected nooks and crannies, bringing a pristine and challenging beauty.
Before 1975, Tuc Dup Hill was also known as the “Two Million Dollar Hill”. This special name originated from the estimated amount of bombs and bullets that the US military dropped on this place during the war, showing the strategic importance of this hill in the resistance war against the US for national salvation.
Green space at Tuc Dup Hill (Photo: Collected)
Historical Relic of the Resistance War
During the years of resistance against the US, Tuc Dup Hill became a solid revolutionary base for the army and people of An Giang. The hiểm trở ( hiểm trở – dangerous, rugged) terrain, with deep natural caves, created ideal conditions for building a solid defense system. This place was once the location of the Propaganda and Training Cave of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee, a weapons depot, a clinic, a living place, and even an auditorium with a capacity of up to 150 people.
Tuc Dup Hill witnessed fierce battles, especially the extremely arduous and heroic 128-day-and-night battle of our army and people. With courage, the army and people of An Giang turned this hill into an impregnable fortress, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, contributing to the common victory of the nation.
In 1989, Tuc Dup Hill was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Historical Relic of the Resistance War, affirming the great historical value and profound traditional educational significance of this place.
Exploring Tuc Dup Hill: A Diverse Journey of Experiences
Coming to the Tuc Dup Hill tourist area today, visitors not only learn about the glorious history but also have the opportunity to explore the unique natural beauty and participate in many exciting entertainment activities.
Journey to the Source at the Historical Relic Area
The Tuc Dup Hill historical relic area is the first and most important stop on the exploration journey.
Traditional House: This place displays precious images, documents, and weapons that were used during the resistance war. Coming to the Sa Ban room, visitors will be introduced to and reenact the historical 128-day-and-night battle, helping to visualize more clearly the hardship and resilient fighting spirit of our army and people.
Memorial Temple: Located solemnly on the hilltop, the memorial temple is a place for visitors to express their sincerity and remember the great contributions of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.
Visiting Revolutionary Caves: Walking along the winding roads on the hill, visitors will witness firsthand the caves that were once the workplace and living quarters of revolutionary soldiers. Cave C6 with a large auditorium capable of holding more than 150 people, Military Medical Cave, Youth Cave, Provincial Party Committee Hall, Military Command Cave, Propaganda and Training Committee Cave, Women’s Union, Civil Medical Cave, Fairy Cave… each cave carries its own historical stories, realistically recreating the arduous but optimistic life of our army and people during the war years. Statues depicting the life of revolutionary soldiers arranged along the way further enhance the visual and vividness of the exploration journey.
Revolutionary base inside Tuc Dup Hill (Photo: Collected)
Hall cave C6 with a capacity of over 150 people (Photo: Collected)
Diverse Entertainment Area
To meet the entertainment needs of visitors, the Tuc Dup Hill tourist area has invested in building more attractive items:
Sports Shooting Range: Visitors can experience thrills with target shooting activities using real bullets, under the guidance of professional instructors.
Wildlife Zoo: The zoo is home to many rare animals, including African ostriches, sika deer, deer, monkeys… bringing interesting experiences for visitors, especially children.
Water Entertainment Games: The clear blue lake in the tourist area is an ideal place for visitors to participate in activities such as swan boats, pirate ships, and jet skis.
Roller Coaster: For thrill-seeking visitors, the roller coaster promises to bring moments of exhilaration and unforgettable experiences.
Summary of some classic games at Tuc Dup Hill (Photo: Collected)
Unique Cuisine of the That Son Region
After hours of exploring and playing, visitors should not forget to enjoy the unique cuisine of the That Son region at restaurants and eateries in the Tuc Dup Hill tourist area. This place is famous for many specialties imbued with the flavor of the Mekong Delta:
Grilled Chicken with “La Chúc” Leaves: A famous dish of An Giang, free-range chicken is marinated with special spices and then grilled in bamboo tubes or grilled over charcoal, bringing an irresistible delicious flavor. “Lá chúc” leaves, a typical leaf of the Bay Nui region, are the secret to creating the unique flavor of this dish.
Rice Noodles with Fish Soup (Bún Cá): An Giang’s rice noodles with fish soup has a rich flavor, characterized by a broth cooked from fermented fish sauce (mắm cá linh or mắm cá sặc), served with snakehead fish, raw vegetables, and water lilies.
Fermented Fish Noodle Soup (Bún Mắm): Another rustic dish of the Mekong Delta, fermented fish noodle soup is attractive by the rich flavor of fermented fish sauce, the sweetness of shrimp and meat, and the freshness of raw vegetables.
In addition, visitors can also enjoy many other attractive dishes such as hot pot with fermented fish sauce (lẩu mắm), grilled snakehead fish, savory pancakes (bánh xèo)…
Grilled chicken with 'lá chúc', a famous dish of An Giang (Photo: Collected)
Explore Tourist Destinations Near Tuc Dup Hill
An Giang not only has Tuc Dup Hill but also many other attractive destinations, visitors can combine visits to have a complete exploration travel itinerary:
Forbidden Mountain (Núi Cấm): The highest mountain in the That Son range, Forbidden Mountain is famous for its majestic scenery, cool climate, and many sacred pagodas. Coming here, visitors can take a cable car to the top of the mountain to admire the panoramic view of An Giang and visit unique Buddhist architectural works.
Chua Lau Pagoda: An ancient pagoda with unique architecture, imbued with Khmer culture. Chua Lau Pagoda is a spiritual and architectural attraction in Tinh Bien.
Lady Chúa Xứ Temple (Miếu Bà Chúa Xứ Núi Sam): One of the most sacred and famous temples in the Mekong Delta, Lady Chúa Xứ Temple is a familiar pilgrimage destination for visitors from all over, especially during the Via Ba Chua Xu festival.
Ong Ket Mountain (Núi Ông Két): The mountain with a unique parrot shape, Ong Ket Mountain is an ideal destination for those who love mountain climbing and exploring pristine nature.
Thoại Ngọc Hầu Tomb (Lăng Thoại Ngọc Hầu): Ancient architectural works, the tomb of General Thoại Ngọc Hầu, who made great contributions to reclaiming and developing An Giang.
Sap Mountain (Núi Sập): The mountain with many historical and cultural imprints, Sap Mountain is an interesting destination to learn about history and explore natural beauty.
Conclusion
Traveling to explore Tuc Dup Hill is not only a journey to find historical roots but also an opportunity to immerse yourself in majestic nature and experience exciting entertainment activities. With unique historical, cultural, and scenic values, Tuc Dup Hill deserves to be a top destination in your An Giang travel itinerary. Come and feel the beauty of the intersection between past and present, between nature and people at this legendary hill.