Lam Dong province is considering building a large structure in the area of the Governor's Residence in Da Lat.

The Lam Dong provincial government is reconsidering a proposal for a large-scale project in the area of the 113-year-old Governor's Residence, suggesting instead that more moderately sized structures should be included in the planning.

This is the content stated in the concluding announcement of the Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, Tran Van Hiep, following a recent meeting with departments, agencies, and experts regarding the partial adjustment of the 1/500 scale detailed urban planning of the Hoa Binh central area, Da Lat City, where the Governor's Residence is located.

The area around the Governor's Residence, Da Lat City, November 2021. Photo: Quynh Tran — The area around the Governor's Residence, Da Lat City, November 2021. Photo: *Quynh Tran*

The move by the head of the Lam Dong provincial government comes more than four years after the announcement of the Da Lat city center planning project, which included the relocation of the Governor's Residence to make way for a high-end commercial and service complex. The plan subsequently faced much controversy, so in August 2020, the province sought opinions from residents and experts on the optimal architectural design for the Governor's Residence area.

In the aforementioned conclusion, the provincial People's Committee leadership did not approve this plan and requested further review, research, and critical analysis. The provincial government stated that the revised planning scheme for this area needs to propose specific, fundamental solutions to address the obstacles and social issues that have arisen in the past.

Regarding the Governor's Residence, the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee has instructed the Department of Construction (the lead agency) to consider, during the planning adjustment process, whether to reconsider the proposal for a large-scale building complex. Instead, it is suggested that medium-sized buildings be interspersed to ensure harmony not only locally but also with the overall Hoa Binh central area; and to promote the culture and economy of the region...

Speaking to VnExpress , Mr. Ngo Van Ninh, spokesperson for the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, said that the relevant authorities have been asked to review the planning, but have not yet decided to halt the relocation of the Governor's Residence.

The Governor's Residence is located on a high hill in the center of Da Lat city. Photo: Khanh Huong — The Governor's Residence is located on a high hill in the center of Da Lat city. Photo: *Khanh Huong*

The Governor's Residence, situated on a 4.43-hectare pine-covered hill, was built by the French before 1910, more than 2 km from the center of Da Lat city. It was formerly the residence and workplace of the mayor of Da Lat and the governor of Tuyen Duc (the former name of Lam Dong province). Currently, the building is managed by the Lam Dong Cultural Center.

According to the chosen plan, a 10-story hotel would be built in the area of the governor's residence, while the original residence building would be upgraded to the Da Lat Museum in a new location (raised by 28 meters), open to tourists... When the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee sought opinions in 2021, the Vietnam Association of Architects did not agree to the elevation of the Governor's Residence.

In September of this year, the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee moved the aforementioned old building from group one to group two. Group one villas, when renovated, must retain their original exterior architectural form and interior structure, building density, number of floors, and height. Group two villas only need to retain their original exterior architectural form.