Standing in the middle of the majestic plateau, Di Linh (Lam Dong province) still retains deep historical imprints from more than 100 years ago. Prominent among these heritages is the Dong Nai Thuong Provincial Town Hall, an ancient architectural work that still exists today.
The first project in the Central Highlands
Going back in time, on November 1, 1899, Governor-General of Indochina Paul Doumer signed a decree establishing Dong Nai Thuong province and two administrative stations in Tanh Linh ( Binh Thuan ) and Lang Biang plateau (Da Lat and its surrounding areas today). Dong Nai Thuong province at that time included the upper Dong Nai river bordering Cochinchina and Cambodia.
To prepare the infrastructure for the provincial capital located in Djiring (the center of Di Linh town, Di Linh district today), the Dong Nai Thuong Provincial Town Hall was built in 1900 under the order of the Governor General of Indochina Paul Doumer. According to records, the French architect and geodetic engineer Mr. Cunhac was responsible for designing the Town Hall. To complete this project, the French mobilized a large labor force from the indigenous K'Ho people. Heavy materials such as iron, steel, bricks, and tiles were transported by human power from Binh Thuan, crossing dangerous mountain and forest roads. Each person forced to work as a "xau" at that time had to go down to Binh Thuan, carrying materials such as iron, steel, bricks, tiles, etc. on their backs, crossing a forest road of more than 90km, including Gia Bac Pass which is over 1,200m high.
“With an 8-room design, 2 floors high, and a usable area of about 200m2 . On top of the Dong Nai Thuong Provincial Town Hall, there is a tower that looks like a rectangular clock, with a classical European architectural style. After 3 years of construction, the project was officially completed in 1903. This is an architectural work associated with the formation and development of Di Linh district. If we consider the date, the Dong Nai Thuong Provincial Town Hall is the oldest in the Central Highlands, before the Dak Lak Provincial Governor's Palace (built in 1907) and the Da Lat Provincial Governor's Palace (built in 1916)", Mr. Vu Duc Nhuan, Vice Chairman of the Di Linh District People's Committee, shared.
The mark on the Djiring region
On January 6, 1916, the then Governor General of Indochina, Ernest Roume, signed a decree establishing Lang Biang province, including the entire mountainous area of the present-day provinces of Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai, and Binh Phuoc. In 1957, Dong Nai Thuong province was renamed Lam Dong province, and the provincial capital was moved to Bao Loc. The name Djiring was also changed to Di Linh as it is today, and the mission of a provincial administrative unit as well as a town hall in the Southern Central Highlands ended. However, despite many changes in abolishment, re-establishment, transfer of provincial capital, and even war, the Town Hall of Dong Nai Thuong province is still preserved in Di Linh land until today. This project is surrounded by vast coffee areas and many other famous landscapes such as Brah Yang Mountain (1,874m high), Yang Doan Mountain (1,812m high), Kala Lake, Bobla Waterfall... It is truly an attractive destination, urging visitors to explore and experience.
Currently, Dong Nai Thuong Provincial Hall is being used as the office block of the People's Council of Di Linh District. After more than 100 years, the building still retains its original appearance, the wooden floors of the corridors, stairs, window frames, and doors between rooms have been maintained so that time does not reduce their inherent values. When Di Linh District needed more working space in the administrative area, another building was built adjacent to it with the view of respecting the ancient architecture, so although it is a new building, it still has many similarities with the beauty of Dong Nai Thuong Provincial Hall.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, who has been attached to the building for more than 30 years due to work, said: “The building has been around for hundreds of years, so the preservation work has always received special attention from the District People's Committee. Every year, only painting and maintenance are done here, but the original design remains intact. From the floor, the tiles to the door bars, the traces of time are still intact.”
In addition to regular renovations, the People's Committee of Di Linh district has also taken many measures to preserve and promote the architectural value of the building. Because, with its unique architecture, the Dong Nai Thuong Provincial Town Hall building not only has historical value but is also an attractive tourist destination, promising to become a tourist highlight of Di Linh district in the future, contributing to preserving historical and cultural marks linking the past with the present.
Mr. Vu Duc Nhuan added: “With the motto of making tourism a highlight of the district and making Di Linh a destination of Lam Dong province, we have asked the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong province to support and guide the district to take necessary steps to preserve and promote the value of this project. Specifically, Di Linh district is completing related documents and records to propose the People's Committee of Lam Dong province to recognize Dong Nai Thuong Provincial Hall as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic, or national-level if it meets the necessary conditions. This will be an important legal basis for the district to take steps to preserve, restore and promote the value of this project.”
DOAN KIEN
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dau-xua-thu-phu-dong-nai-thuong-post750303.html
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