Budget to improve heritage sites

QUANG NINH, Vietnam 15 March 2013: Quang Ninh province will develop three important heritage sites to shift the province’s economic focus from heavy industries towards tourism and service industries.

The province’s most famous tourist attraction is Halong Bay which is visited by thousands of local and foreign tourists annually.

The province’s managing board chair, Ho Chi Duc, said the planning of the three heritage attractions — Tran Dynasty historical site, Yen Tu, and Bach Dang Victory historical site– are among key developments that should shift the province’s economic focus more to tourism and service industries as they are more labour intensive.

“Work on the projects will start next month and will be completed by 2025,” he said.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister announced the approval of a US$192 million budget for the projects. Of that budget, US$67 million will be allocated to restore and promote the  Tran dynasty historical complex in Dong Trieu district.

Meanwhile, US$86 million will be invested to protect the natural landscape of Yen Tu. Bach Dang Victory historical site will receive US$39 million to boost its tourism potential.

The investment capital will be sourced from the state budget, local budgets and private funding. The sites will earn revenue from tourist fees once they open.

The Tran dynasty complex is home to tombs of eight kings on a site covering more than 11,000 ha in An Sinh, Trang An, Thuy An and Binh Khe communes. The complex was listed as a national cultural and historical site in 1962.

The sacred land of Yen Tu in Quang Yen consists of five sections, including the heritage site, service area, social facilities, management and residential areas.

It is best known for its 1,00- metre high Yen Tu mountain, the birthplace of the Truc Lam (Bamboo Forest) Zen sect. Covering 20,000 ha, it attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over the country and will become a  centre for Buddhist teachings and also a learning base for followers of the Truc Lam sect.

Covering 380 ha in Uong Bi City, the former Bach Dang battle site marks the victory of the Vietnamese people under the Tran dynasty  in 1288 against foreign  invaders. Both the Yen Tu and Bach Dang sites were recognised as Special National Heritage sites last September.

Quang Ninh province’s top attraction is Halong Bay which is the most popular sightseeing destination in the northern provinces and was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and the world’s New 7 Wonders of Nature in April 2012 by New Open World Corporation, an associate of the New 7 Wonders Foundation.

Sourced TTGWEEKLY