On Sunday morning, the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports and the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre formally started construction works on the Hai Van Gate restoration and embellishment project.

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ngo Thi Kim Yen beating the drum to kick off the Hai Van Gate restoration and embellishment project. Photo: XUAN DUNG

In attendance at the event were Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Council Cao Thi Huyen Tran, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People's Committee Ngo Thi Kim Yen, Vice Chairman of Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Council Nguyen Quang Tuan, and Vice Chairman of Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the project, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre Hoang Viet Trung highlighted the importance of the project in demonstrating the solidarity between the two localities in the work of preserving and promoting the value of the cultural heritage left by the ancestors.

He also hoped that once fully completed, the Hai Van Gate would become an attractive tourist destination for visitors from both home and abroad.

"In order to effectively carry out the project, both Thua Thien Hue Province and Da Nang have together collected necessary data, and conducted scientific research and archaeological study with advanced technology. In addition, a complete, accurate and standard "digital data bank" about Hai Van Gate has been created with the aim to not only spread heritage values ​​but also satisfy the needs of visitors during the restoration period" said Mr. Hoang Viet Trung.

The project will cover an area of ​​​​about 6,500m² with a total investment of more than VND42 billion. Of which, each Da Nang and Thua Thien Hue Province will bear half the costs.

The project will be implemented during 2 years. The project's developer is the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, whilst the city's Department of Culture and Sports will be responsible for coordinating with the centre to carry out the project.

According to the construction plan, all the blockhouses on the Hai Van Gate and the Hai Van Pass route, which is known as “Thien ha de nhat hung quan” (The most marvellous wonder), will be dismantled. Both Hai Van Gate and Hai Van Pass route will be embellished. Also, the waterproofing and anti-cracking techniques will be implemented for construction blocks.

Under the project, many relic items will be restored, including citadels' damaged walls which were made of mountain stones during the Nguyen Dynasty, according to archaeological traces and traces on the side walls of Hai Van Quan and Thien Ha De Nhat Hung Quan.

Also, observation huts, a Tru So house and a Vu Kho 3-compartment house will be restored according to archaeological remains and documentary photos.

The Hai Van Gate sits atop its Hai Van mountain pass which lies at the geographical boundary between the Lang Co Town, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue Province and Hoa Hiep Bac Ward, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang.

The Gate was officially recognised as a national relic site featuring profound historical, architectural and artistic values by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2017.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by M.DUNG