The recent launching of a contest to design architectural plans for upgrading the existing headquarters of the municipal People’s Council at 42 Bach Dang into the Museum of Da Nang is in line with the municipal administration’s directions on developing cultural institutions.

The upgrading the existing 42 Bach Dang building into the Museum of Da Nang

The relocation of the existing museum out of the Dien Hai Citadel site to 42 Bach Dang aims to give space for restoring and embellishing the citadel, and ensure larger space for the museum as well.

Once the renovation is completed, the new museum is expected to highlight both cultural and historical values, and especially, modern architectural features showing off the city’s images as a major economic hub in the central region.

The Department of Culture and Sports is the investor of the upgrade project, the Management Board of Da Nang Infrastructure Construction and Urban Development Projects is in charge of managing the project. The Construction Engineering Consultancy Centre under the municipal Department of Construction is responsible for organising the 4-month-long design contest.

The museum’s new location covers a total area of 8,686m², consisting facilities at 42 Bach Dang and 31 Tran Phu.

The site borders Quang Trung to the north, the General Science Library to the south, Tran Phu to the west and Bach Dang street to the east.

Under the contest’s requirements, entries competing at the design contest must ensure the harmonious connection between the outdoor display spaces with the soon-to-be-established square, with the Dien Hai Citadel being at the central position, along with the General Science Library, and the landscape along the western bank of the Han River.

Also noticeably, there should be parking areas and pick-up and drop-off points for visitors and the museum’s staff.

The existing museum located at the Dien Hai Citadel site

According to Mr Tran Van Nam, Director of the Construction Engineering Consultancy Centre, to date, preparations for the architectural design contest have been completed, including the establishment of the contest’s organising and judging boards, rules, the provision of necessary information and procedures for entrants competing at the contest.

Many urban planning and architectural experts voiced their strong support for the relocation of the existing museum out of the Dien Hai Citadel site.

According to architect Phan Duc Hai, the Chairman of the Urban Planning and Development Association, the relocation work is an urgent need. In reality, construction works like such a museum should not exist right at the citadel which is a special national-level relic site.

Mr Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien, the Director of Da Nang Museum said, moving the museum into 42 Bach Dang facility is a meaningful decision. The 42 Bach Dang-located building shows the city’s historical values.

In tandem with the organisation of the design contest, the Department of Culture and Sports is making display plans of the museum at its new location which serve as a basis for the renovating and upgrading of the museum.