Central Thua Thien-Hue province will focus its efforts on restoring up to 40 local renowned gardens houses through 2020 instead of 150 houses as set from the previous period.

A garden house in Hue city (Photo: VNA)

The adjustment is prompted by the fact that the initial target proved to be out of reach due to limited local budget. In addition, owners of houses with large area face difficulties in paying land tax and related costs. Since 2006, the authorities of Hue City have approved the restoration of six old hoses but actual work has been done at only two. Owners of the other four could not afford the costs.

The garden houses are the embodiment of Hue’s past grand dynasties. They embrace the traditional architect and are surrounded by charmingly landscaped gardens. Those homes are privately owned, usually by descendents of the royal family. Popular locations that have become tourist attractions include An Hien, Ngoc Son, Lac Tien, Y Thao and Tinh Gia Vien. However, rapid urbanisation has long been blame for damaging the local beautiful feature.

The provincial People’s Committee’s Economics and Budget Commission recently proposed exempting selected houses, from the tax imposed on non-arable land.

Director of Thua Thien-Hue Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Phan Tien Dung, said the owners that make efforts to protect their homes should be rewarded to encourage others to follow.

(Source: VNA)