Authorities in Thua Thien-Hue Province, located in central Vietnam, are giving a facelift to Da Vien Islet in the middle of the Huong River to transform it into a multi-purpose cultural area with gardens, a pedestrian street, and an imperial park.

Last week, a representative of the Thua Thien-Hue urban management bureau told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the provincial People's Committee is moving on with the building plan.

The project is part of the land use planning for the Huong River banks approved by the provincial People's Committee.

As scheduled, the project will include a pedestrian street, a grass garden, a rainforest, a square, and a bridge that connects Bui Thi Xuan Street with the islet.

Local authorities are seeking to build an imperial park as a simulation of those under the Nguyen Dynasty on Da Vien Islet in the future.

The park will be built on the western side of the islet with the steps similar to those at ancient mausoleums, adapting the symmetrical architecture style of the ancient Imperial City of Hue.

Rare plants that used to grow in the ancient Imperial Park will be grown at the upcoming park, such as lotus, water lily, and bonsai.

The eco-park is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.

In 1868, King Tu Duc built a garden here and named it Du Da Vien in Chinese characters.

According to Nguyen Viet Bang, vice-chairman of the Thua Thien-Hue People's Committee, besides building parks and gardens on Da Vien Islet, the government will also try to preserve the greenery on its western side.

"This area has become home to many rare bird species in recent years," Bang told Tuoi Tre.

"A herd of hundreds of white storks has chosen the islet to live and reproduce.

"We will try to preserve this habitat."

In 2006, Da Vien Islet Tourist Site Joint Stock Company presented a plan to invest in a tourist area and a resort on the islet, comprising hotels, an international convention center, and other works.

However, this project drew opposition from the public because Da Vien Islet is one of the areas that contribute to the feng shui harmony of the Imperial City of Hue and has plenty of historical sites that need preservation.

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