Historical Channel

“Vinh Te” is the official name in the scientific records of the relic, given by King Gia Long when he ordered the digging of a canal connecting Chau Doc to Ha Tien. In addition, this historical canal also has many other names, such as: Chau Doc - Ha Tien River (during construction), Vinh Te River (engraved on Cao Dinh 1835, with the meaning of “long-lasting sustainability”), Vinh Te River (in many historical documents of the Nguyen Dynasty). Regardless of its name, the canal is still a special historical witness of the borderland of An Giang.

Hundred year vision

Since 1816, King Gia Long had intended to dig this canal to serve land reclamation, trade, and border consolidation. He directed the mandarins to survey the terrain and make maps. When Thoai Ha canal was successfully dug, the king's determination to dig Vinh Te canal was further strengthened by directing detailed surveys and consulting with mandarins and the king of Cambodia. At the end of 1819, the project began, under the command of Governor Nguyen Van Thoai, Commander Nguyen Van Tuyen, and Commander-in-Chief Nguyen Van Ton.

According to historical records, the canal digging process encountered more obstacles than the process of digging the Dong Xuyen - Rach Gia canal. There was a lack of everything, from materials, tools, to food and medicine. In addition, the erratic climate and many miasmas greatly affected the progress of the canal digging. However, those responsible for commanding and assigning tasks were very specific, helping the project to be completed in May 1824.

The canal was dug entirely by hand, with rudimentary tools and traditional techniques, but it was a great national scientific project in the early 19th century. The canal has great economic, political and military value, especially in international relations. The total length of the canal is 91km, 25m wide and 3m deep. The first section of the canal is adjacent to Chau Doc River, extending across Giang Thanh River (Kien Giang Province). It took a process of summarizing the experience, indigenous knowledge, folk knowledge, intelligence and labor, creativity of our ancestors, the iron will of the Southern army and people, and the dedication of the strength and lives of many militiamen... to complete this historic canal.

The strategic vision of our ancestors was promoted. In the war against the Siamese army, the canal clearly demonstrated its role as a vital national defense waterway, protecting Chau Doc fort. In the resistance war against France, Vinh Te canal played the role of a bridge between the Southeast Cambodian battlefield and the Southwest battlefield, breaking the enemy's border blockade strategy. In the resistance war against America, Vinh Te canal was an important strategic defense line on the Western border. In the process of building and developing the country, the canal helped form communities along the canal, promoting the process of land reclamation and village establishment. Around the canal are many types of rich cultural, religious and belief heritages.

Keep for a thousand years

In 2024, Vinh Te Canal was recognized by the Vietnam Record Organization as "The longest manual canal in the border area of ​​Vietnam". Through the results of survey, research, documentation, and assessment, Vinh Te Canal is eligible for relic ranking. Therefore, Decision 102/QD-UBND, dated January 22, 2025 of the Provincial People's Committee ranked Vinh Te Canal historical relic (Vinh Nguon ward) as a provincial relic. This joy spread to many local people.

Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Tien (living in Vinh Nguon ward) shared: “As a child born and raised by the Vinh Te canal, I and many generations always remember the merits of our ancestors, especially the famous mandarin Thoai Ngoc Hau, who commanded tens of thousands of militiamen to open the canal amid countless hardships; along with the heart of Ms. Chau Thi Te. The canal passes through many localities, but the starting point of the canal passing through the place where we live is ranked as a provincial relic, which is an extremely great pride. We pledge to join hands with the local government to preserve the value of the relic; promote and protect the landscape and environment around the canal, as a sacred part of our homeland”.

“The Vinh Te Canal historical site will help today’s and future generations better understand the past and the contributions of our ancestors in the cause of opening up new lands, protecting the border and developing our homeland and country. Hopefully, with the close coordination between the locality and relevant agencies, this place will not only become an attractive cultural and historical destination, but also contribute to promoting tourism and socio -economic development,” affirmed Mr. Huynh Van Tiep (Head of the Vinh Te Canal Historical Site Management Board).

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Trung Thanh said that when it becomes a ranked historical relic, Vinh Te Canal will be further honored for its unique value. This is a strong testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people in conquering nature, transforming the wild natural environment for generations into cultivated land, creating a stable and long-term settlement space. Vinh Te Canal has become a sacred river, the main flow, the central axis of all traffic, irrigation and land exploitation activities in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle.

“In the long term, we need to continue to research, exploit and maximize the value of the relic, towards building a national relic profile. We hope that the locality will pay attention to protecting the relic, comply with the provisions of the law, including the Law on Cultural Heritage; educate the community to work together to make Vinh Te canal more and more spacious, beautiful, worthy of inheriting the heritage value left by our ancestors” - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Trung Thanh suggested.

GIA KHANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/dong-kenh-lich-su-a423036.html