Authorities in Binh Dinh Province have requested VNĐ344 billion (US$14.6 million) to restore and promote sites of national cultural heritage in the province.
Duong Long tower was built around the end of the 12th century and was listed as a special national relic in 2015. — Photo nhandan.vn
The proposal has just been sent to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance, and is awaiting approval.
Restoring the Duong Long Tower in Tay Son District, which was listed as a national relic in 2015, will cost about VND65 billion.
According to French archaeologist Henri Parmentier, Duong Long Tower was built around the end of the 12th century and has important historical significance.
The cost of displaying furniture and artefacts at Binh Dinh Museum, as well as building the Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts Centre, is expected to cost VND80 billion and VND60 billion, respectively.
In 2012, Binh Dinh martial arts was recognised as a National Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The Binh Dinh Department of Culture and Sports and the Department of Cultural Heritage is working on an application to UNESCO for the martial arts to be recognised as a world cultural heritage.
Improving the technical infrastructure of Banh It Tower Complex (Tuy Phuoc District), Thu Thien Tower (Tay Son District) and Phu Loc Tower (An Nhon Town) is also planned, with an investment of VND25 billion, VND15 billion and VND20 billion, respectively.
The Banh It Tower Complex was classified as an architectural and art monument by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in 1982.
The tomb of the famous Tuong artist Dao Tan (Tuy Phuoc District) and the Imperial Citadel are also included in the restoration plan, along with many other sites in Binh Dinh.
According to Lam Hai Giang, Deputy Chairman of Binh Dinh Provincial People's Committee, restoring the province's heritage sites is of utmost importance.
“Although Binh Dinh's cultural, historical heritage and tourist landscape resources are rich and diverse, investment in these sites has not matched their historical significance,” Giang said.
“One of the difficulties is due to the deterioration of this system. A lack of capital for investment, poor conservation, and promotion of these heritages are also limitations.”
According to the Binh Dinh Department of Culture and Sports, the province has 133 ranked relics, including two special national monuments, 34 national-level monuments and 97 provincial-level relics.
However, most of them have degraded over time.