HÀ NỘI — Authorities in Bình Định Province have requested VNĐ344 billion (US$14.6 million) to restore and promote sites of national cultural heritage in the province. 

The proposal has just been sent to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance, and is awaiting approval.

Restoring the Dương Long Tower in Tay Sơn District, which was listed as a national relic in 2015, will cost about VNĐ65 billion.

According to French archaeologist Henri Parmentier, Dương Long Tower was built around the end of the 12th century and has important historical significance.

The cost of displaying furniture and artefacts at Bình Định Museum, as well as building the Bình Định Traditional Martial Arts Centre, is expected to cost VNĐ80 billion and VNĐ60 billion, respectively.

In 2012, Bình Định martial arts was recognised as a National Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The Bình Định Department of Culture and Sports and the Department of Cultural Heritage is working on an application to UNESCO for the martial arts to be recognised as a world cultural heritage.

Improving the technical infrastructure of Banh Ít Tower Complex (Tuy Phưoc District), Thủ Thien Tower (Tay Sơn District) and Phu Lốc Tower (An Nhơn Town) is also planned, with an investment of VNĐ25 billion, VNĐ15 billion and VNĐ20 billion, respectively.

The Banh Ít Tower Complex was classified as an architectural and art monument by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in 1982. 

The tomb of the famous Tuồng artist Đao Tấn (Tuy Phưoc District) and the Imperial Citadel are also included in the restoration plan, along with many other sites in Bình Định.

According to Lam Hải Giang, Deputy Chairman of Bình Định Provincial People's Committee, restoring the province's heritage sites is of utmost importance. 

“Although Bình Định's cultural, historical heritage and tourist landscape resources are rich and diverse, investment in these sites has not matched their historical significance,” Giang said.

“One of the difficulties is due to the deterioration of this system. A lack of capital for investment, poor conservation, and promotion of these heritages are also limitations.”

According to the Bình Định Department of Culture and Sports, the province has 133 ranked relics, including two special national monuments, 34 national-level monuments and 97 provincial-level relics.

However, most of them have degraded over time. — VNS