Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has agreed in principle to allow the People’s Committee of An Giang province to make an overall planning for the Oc Eo-Ba The Special National Relic Site.

The Deputy PM assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to work with relevant agencies to appraise the project and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval.

The planned area will cover 433.1 hectares, in which the mountainside and foot of Ba The mountain (Area A) makes up 143.9 hectares and the Oc Eo field (Area B), 289.3 hectares.

The Oc Eo culture formed and developed strongly in the southern delta region in the first ten centuries AD.

It was one of the three influential cultures, along with Dong Son (700BC-100 AD) and Sa Huynh (1,000-200 BC). Its economy was based on hunting animals and harvesting leaves and fruits, growing water rice, and the maritime trade.

Excavations at the site have detected many precious artifacts made from various materials featuring religious beliefs, architectures, houses, tombs and canals.

With its special historical, cultural and architectural values, the site, located in Oc Eo town, Thoai Son district, was named a special national relic site on September 27, 2012.