Tourism park raises ire of local officials

Fun and games: the $2 million entertainment complex has yet to open

The divisive project by the Investment and Trade Development Centre is near the Doc Cuoc (One Leg) Temple on Sam Son beach, 150 kilometres south of Hanoi.
Construction began on the $2 million entertainment project more than two years ago, which will incorporate artificial mountains, statues, waterfalls, lakes, aquariums and restaurants.
Included in the design is a statue of the One Leg Genie, who is worshiped at a nearby temple for saving local people with his ability to use one leg to fight against enemies at sea and the other to combat enemies on land. The first phase of the project opened for business in 2003 and the developers began the second stage last October with the aim to bring the entire 5,000 square metre complex into operation this summer.
In January this year local cultural inspectors alleged the project violated the Cultural Heritage Law as investors had failed to consult with cultural authorities before starting construction near the temple, which has been a recognised national heritage site since 1962.
The provincial inspectors claimed the project’s promoters had not worked out the design and architecture plan for the second phase and submitted it to the construction authorities for approval.
The local cultural department further stated construction of the project had destroyed the surrounding landscape and damaged the Co Giai mountain, which juts into the sea. The department asked for the construction of the project to be halted and further investigations conducted to protect the surrounding landscape and heritage site. The provincial construction department stated the second phase of the project exceeded the land area that provincial authorities had originally allocated to the project. It even requested last month that developers demolish several aspects of the project, which they claimed negatively impacted on the environment.
Centre director Ly Van Minh said local cultural officials had never asked the company to consult with the Ministry of Culture and Information when the project was under consideration. It was only when the second stage began that the company was required to seek approval of cultural authorities, he said.
An official from Thanh Hoa Culture and Information Department revealed the agency had first discovered the alleged violations in 2002 and reported to the provincial people’s committee. However, there was no response to the report.
With the project now in limbo, the developers said they would bring the case to court if the problem was not settled soon.