Historical Place
The Vietnamese Refugee camp
The Vietnamese Refugee camp in Galang Island, Batam is a historical place that once inhabited by about 250,000 refugees from Vietnam in 1979-1995.
The camp was built by the UNHCR, one of the organizations under the UN
that takes care of victims of war, and the government of Indonesia. This
refugee camp lies on an area of about 80 hectares. Just like a new
'city', this camp was equipped with various facilities, ranging from
schools, places of worship (churches, temples, and mosque), hospitals,
cemeteries, canteens, barracks, and even a prison.
The refugee story began with a quite long lasted civil war in Vietnam, which happened from 1959 to 1975 that also involved several other countries, eg. The United States and Russia. During and just after the war, many Vietnamese fled away their country for security reasons and for protection. Some of them sailed the South China Sea for months on wooden boats to find a safer place to live. Unfortunately, some of them died on the run, but many also made it by reaching other countries, including on several islands in Indonesia, such as in Natuna Island and Bintan Island. (This is why they were also referred as the "boat people").
In 1979, they all moved to a refugee camp in Galang Island. For about 16 years
they lived on the island, living separated from the outside world. This
was deliberately done to facilitate surveillance and security reasons
around and inside the camp. Finally in 1995 the camp was closed after
the refugees managed to get asylum from countries like the United States
and Australia or returning to their home country, Vietnam. This camp
was then opened to the public in 1998, after the construction of the
Bridge Barelang completed.
Today, several camp facilities are functioning properly, such as Quan Am Tu Pagoda, Chua Kim Quan Pagoda, and the Catholic Church Nha Tho Duc Me Vo Nhiem. These places of worship are still used by visitors who want to worship and pray in the camp area. Two wooden ships that were used by the refugees are also displayed here, near the Museum of Vietnamese Refugee Camp Galang Island. The museum itself displays some relics of the refugees, such as ID cards, photos, handcrafts (painting, tablecloth, miniature houses, etc.).
Right in front of the museum, lies an Indonesian police office (defunct) and a jail that once used to imprison Vietnamese refugees who committed crimes, such as robbery, escaped from the camp, making liquor, and so on. There is also a Humanity Statue that is located next to the Quan Am Tu Pagoda. The statue was built to commemorate Tinh Nhan, a Vietnamese refugee woman who suicide after being raped by a fellow refugee. Not far from the Humanity Statue, there is the Ngha Trang Grave, where more than 500 refugees were buried. Today, the relatives of the people who buried here often visit the complex, as well as the former refugees themselves, who now live in many other countries, such as the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore, etc.
* * *
Barelang Bridge
Barelang Bridge consists of six different bridges which also connect all six main islands near Batam:
1. Barelang Bridge I: Teuku Fisabilillah Bridge
Barelang Bridge I is the longest and the biggest bridge which is 642 meter long. The bridge connects Batam Island and Tonton Island. The architectural design resembles the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco in the United States. It
makes the Bridge Barelang I
as one of the main tourists destinations in Batam. People usually visit
the bridge just to take pictures or to have lunch or
snacks in many food stalls or warungs located near this bridge. A sweet
roasted corn, coconut juice costs.
Dragon fruits, a local fruit of Batam are also sold here, as well as
other local snacks.
2. Barelang Bridge II: Nara Singa Bridge
It connects Tonton Island and NIpah Island. Barelang Bridge II is about 420 meter long.
3. Barelang Bridge III: Ali Haji Bridge
The bridge connects Nipah Island and Setokok Island, which stretches about 270 meters.
4. Barelang Bridge IV: Sultan Zainal Abidin Bridge
It connects Setokok Island and Rempang Island. Barelang Bridge IV has a lengthong of about 365 meters.
5. Barelang Bridge V: Tuanku Tambusai Bridge
This 385 meter long bridge connects Rempang Island and Galang Island.
6. Barelang Bridge VI: Raja Kecil Bridge
It has a length of about 180 meters and connects Galang Island and Galang Baru Island.
for reservation :
Buldan
mail: cyberbtm@gmail.com
phone : +62 822 83333 543 (whatsapp ready)
www.itinerarybatam.com
The Vietnamese Refugee camp in Galang Island, Batam is a historical place that once inhabited by about 250,000 refugees from Vietnam in 1979-1995.
The camp was built by the UNHCR, one of the organizations under the UN
that takes care of victims of war, and the government of Indonesia. This
refugee camp lies on an area of about 80 hectares. Just like a new
'city', this camp was equipped with various facilities, ranging from
schools, places of worship (churches, temples, and mosque), hospitals,
cemeteries, canteens, barracks, and even a prison.
The refugee story began with a quite long lasted civil war in Vietnam, which happened from 1959 to 1975 that also involved several other countries, eg. The United States and Russia. During and just after the war, many Vietnamese fled away their country for security reasons and for protection. Some of them sailed the South China Sea for months on wooden boats to find a safer place to live. Unfortunately, some of them died on the run, but many also made it by reaching other countries, including on several islands in Indonesia, such as in Natuna Island and Bintan Island. (This is why they were also referred as the "boat people").
Today, several camp facilities are functioning properly, such as Quan Am Tu Pagoda, Chua Kim Quan Pagoda, and the Catholic Church Nha Tho Duc Me Vo Nhiem. These places of worship are still used by visitors who want to worship and pray in the camp area. Two wooden ships that were used by the refugees are also displayed here, near the Museum of Vietnamese Refugee Camp Galang Island. The museum itself displays some relics of the refugees, such as ID cards, photos, handcrafts (painting, tablecloth, miniature houses, etc.).
Right in front of the museum, lies an Indonesian police office (defunct) and a jail that once used to imprison Vietnamese refugees who committed crimes, such as robbery, escaped from the camp, making liquor, and so on. There is also a Humanity Statue that is located next to the Quan Am Tu Pagoda. The statue was built to commemorate Tinh Nhan, a Vietnamese refugee woman who suicide after being raped by a fellow refugee. Not far from the Humanity Statue, there is the Ngha Trang Grave, where more than 500 refugees were buried. Today, the relatives of the people who buried here often visit the complex, as well as the former refugees themselves, who now live in many other countries, such as the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore, etc.
* * *
Barelang Bridge
Barelang Bridge consists of six different bridges which also connect all six main islands near Batam:
1. Barelang Bridge I: Teuku Fisabilillah Bridge
Barelang Bridge I is the longest and the biggest bridge which is 642 meter long. The bridge connects Batam Island and Tonton Island. The architectural design resembles the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco in the United States. It
2. Barelang Bridge II: Nara Singa Bridge
It connects Tonton Island and NIpah Island. Barelang Bridge II is about 420 meter long.
3. Barelang Bridge III: Ali Haji Bridge
The bridge connects Nipah Island and Setokok Island, which stretches about 270 meters.
4. Barelang Bridge IV: Sultan Zainal Abidin Bridge
It connects Setokok Island and Rempang Island. Barelang Bridge IV has a lengthong of about 365 meters.
5. Barelang Bridge V: Tuanku Tambusai Bridge
This 385 meter long bridge connects Rempang Island and Galang Island.
6. Barelang Bridge VI: Raja Kecil Bridge
It has a length of about 180 meters and connects Galang Island and Galang Baru Island.
for reservation :
Buldan
mail: cyberbtm@gmail.com
phone : +62 822 83333 543 (whatsapp ready)
www.itinerarybatam.com
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