The Da Nang authorities, on May 4, gave a nod to grant more than VND84 billion (over $3.5 million) to implement the 2^nd stage of the Dien Hai Citadel restoration and embellishment project.

This decision received the high sense of consensus and support of a large number of local residents and management agencies, at the same time, affirmed the city's timely and right attention and investment in historical relic sites in the locality.

The Da Nang authorities will grant 84 billion VND (over 3.5 million USD) to implement the 2nd stage of the Dien Hai Citadel restoration and embellishment project.

Many important items to be deployed

The 2^nd stage of the project will focus on relocating the existing Museum of Da Nang out of the Dien Hai Citadel site to the former headquarters of the municipal People’s Committee on 42 Bach Dang Street.

Also, special attention will be paid to restoring the citadel's damaged walls, refurbishing entrance gate east of the citedal, and embellishing the statue of General Nguyen Tri Phuong.

In addition, a gate facing the west, a martyrs’ shrine, an exhibition house and other items will be constructed.

Previously, the 1^st stage of the project was completed during the 2017-2019 period as scheduled with the relocation of 80 households and 3 State agencies out of the citadel.

Besides, a moat surrounding the citadel was already built, and a green park was created in the 1^st stage of the project.

Currently, functional units are on track to renovate the 42 Bach Dang building to return the inherent space to Dien Hai Citadel soon. Related issues such as architectural design and display outline at the new Museum of Da Nang have also been completed. These are important conditions for the museum to soon move to a new location, serving the restoration and embellishment of the special national-level relic site at the 2^nd stage.

Director of the Museum of Da Nang Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien said that, aside from the Hue Imperial Citadel, the Dien Hai Citadel is the only ancient military relic left in Central Viet Nam associated with an important historical story of the army and people of Quang Nam - Da Nang in struggle against the French - Spanish coalition forces in 1858 - 1860. Therefore, the Dien Hai Citadel has become one of the city’s cultural and historical highlights.

“The 2^nd stage of the project will prioritise preserving as much as possible the components and traces constituting the original relic, and recreating part of the landscape space and original architectural components in the inner city, thereby contributing to honouring and promoting the historical value of the Dien Hai Citadel in contemporary life", underlined Mr. Thien.

The Da Nang authorities will grant 84 billion VND (over 3.5 million USD) to implement the 2nd stage of the Dien Hai Citadel restoration and embellishment project.

Promoting the value of Dien Hai Citadel relic site

The implementation of the 2^nd stage of the Dien Hai Citadel restoration and embellishment project has received great support from a large number of people and cultural houses citywide.

People's Artist Huynh Hung, former Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, said that the 1^st stage of the project was completed in 2019, but due to the impact of COVID-19, until now, the city is able to implement the 2^nd stage.

“Despite being slower than expected, this is a great effort made by the city in the current context. It can be affirmed that this is a very proper and necessary concern for the city's cultural heritage" said Mr. Hung.

Most specially, the architectural design of the 2^nd stage of the project was made by Dr. Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism under the advice of Prof. Dr. Hoang Dao Kinh - a leading scientist in the field of histprical relic site conservation.

This confirms the importance and special historical value of the project. This is also the basis for us to be completely assured of the design, architecture and aesthetics of this project.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Ha Vy said that the 2^nd stage of the project is scheduled to be carried out in the fourth quarter of 2022.

“Once completed, the refurbishment will turn this site into a new attraction in Da Nang for both locals and visitor arrivals in the city to explore, especially those who show keen interest in conducting their historical and cultural research activities” affirmed Mr.Vy.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by M.DUNG