On September 27th, regarding the preservation of century-old villas along the Dong Nai River, Mr. Vo Tan Duc , Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, told Giao Thong Newspaper that the Provincial Party Committee has directed research, preservation, and promotion of the value of these ancient villas.
The old villa is located on the road along the Dong Nai River.
According to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, the locality has considered several options. Firstly, they will study and survey to see if straightening the road or narrowing the sidewalks is reasonable.
Secondly, the aim is to implement a circular walkway similar to the one around Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City.
Thirdly, there are many suggestions to move the villas further inland.
"The relevant units will continue to analyze the situation and find suitable solutions to preserve the old villa," Mr. Duc said.
Meanwhile, according to the Dong Nai Department of Transport, the riverside road project has already been implemented, therefore, any plan to preserve the old villas may require further research, review, and adjustment of the planning.
However, a consulting and supervisory unit is needed to conduct a survey of the actual situation in order to calculate and propose a suitable solution.
An old villa, covered in moss and lichen from the passage of time.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Bien Hoa city said that the city had instructed the construction unit to temporarily stop construction at the location in front of the ancient house while awaiting a decision on the plan from the province.
"Workers will start construction in other areas first to ensure the progress of the riverside road," the city leader said.
Regarding this issue, Dr. Ngo Viet Nam Son, an architect and scientist, said that he has also been interested in preserving old villas in recent times.
According to him, Dong Nai province should buy back the old villa to make it easier to repair, preserve, maintain, and develop it.
To maximize the value of the old villa, the area needs to be re-planned. Because it's not simply about preserving the old house and straightening the road; this villa has the potential to become an attractive tourist destination in Dong Nai province.
Many parts of the old mansion's interior have deteriorated.
We need to re-plan the space and landscape, transforming old houses into public buildings, museums, community centers, exhibition halls, etc. However, this would require further research into parking lots, boat docks, and other facilities to attract tourists from all over.
The riverside road is very significant and a highlight of Bien Hoa city. However, since the road still lacks a focal point, the old villa should be transformed into a special landmark.
Perhaps the province should organize a design competition to propose solutions for renovating this area. This would help attract people from Bien Hoa and Dong Nai to visit, and also draw visitors from other places like Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong.
"Developing river tourism and connecting Bien Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City via waterways would be very beneficial," Mr. Son said.
According to Doctor of Science and Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son, through his research, he found that there is ample space in this area for road realignment without any negative impact.
However, realigning the road will have to take advantage of other spaces and require a comprehensive plan to create a large space encompassing roads, houses, green spaces, docks, and landscaping.
"I believe these old villas have great potential; they are beautiful and possess cultural value. If properly invested in and preserved, they will create a worthy landscape for this area," Mr. Son emphasized.
The old villa is covered in lush greenery.
It is known that on September 26th, the Standing Committee of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee worked with many relevant units and decided to preserve the century-old villa on the banks of the Dong Nai River to conserve and promote its cultural and historical values.
According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Nai province, the ancient Vo Ha Thanh villa (also known as the Phu family's mansion) was started in 1922 and completed in 1924. It is located on the right bank of the Dong Nai River (Ward 5, Buu Long commune, Bien Hoa city). The villa has deteriorated due to a lack of restoration and renovation over a long period.
Since 2016, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has recognized some architectural values of this structure and has directed the Provincial Management Board of Historical Sites and Scenic Spots to conduct preliminary research and assessment and propose its inclusion in the list of proposed provincial-level historical sites.
However, due to some complications, it was not included in the list of proposed sites for ranking as a historical monument.
Mr. Tran Quang Toai, Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Historical Science Association, affirmed that the house has profound historical and cultural significance, having been built at the same time as the Bien Hoa Administrative Building in the early 20th century. All building materials were imported from France, highlighting its architectural value.
The 5.2km-long Dong Nai riverside road, connecting Hoa An bridge to Binh Hoa commune in Vinh Cuu district, was started in 2021 with a total investment of 1,300 billion VND.
To build the road, the Bien Hoa City People's Committee has planned land clearance, including the area where the old villa is located. According to information from the investor, 2/3 of the house's area is within the project's boundaries, so the villa may be demolished.
Currently, the local authorities have only cleared about two-thirds of the land area, with the progress reaching nearly 65%. The contractor is focusing on roadbed compaction, crushed stone base layering, asphalt paving, concrete reinforcement, and drainage system construction in some sections.
Once operational, this road will ensure smooth traffic flow from Bien Hoa to Vinh Cuu and other localities, creating a beautiful and prominent landscape for the inner city of Bien Hoa, Dong Nai province.
Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/bao-ton-biet-thu-co-tram-tuoi-o-dong-nai-lanh-dao-tinh-nha-khoa-hoc-len-tieng-192240927095014515.htm
