$41.6mn tourist area project in central Vietnam delayed for 7 years
Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 14:35 GMT+7
The Suoi Voi (Elephant Stream) tourist site project in Phu Loc District, Thua Thien-Hue Province, located in central Vietnam, has been put on hold after getting approval for construction in 2017 with a total investment of VND1.02 trillion (US$41.6 million).
The seven-year delay has caused public outrage in the province.
Lying at the foot of the majestic Bach Ma (White Horse) Range in Loc Tien Commune, Elephant Stream is a popular tourist attraction in the province thanks to its cool clear water and stunning natural scenery.
To enhance its appeal, authorities in the province outlined the tourist area project there and sought healthy investors.
In 2017, the Management Board of Thua Thien-Hue Economic and Industrial Zones granted an investment certificate to Hoa Lu - Hue Investment, Trading, and Services Limited Company to develop the Suoi Voi tourist area project at a total cost of VND1.02 trillion.
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| The Suoi Voi tourist area project in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam has seen a few components implemented seven years after the project was approved for investment in 2017. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre |
The project was expected to turn the place into a high-end tourist site at the foot of the White Horse Range, and offer jobs to locals, as well as foster leisure travel in Thua Thien-Hue.
However, the project remains incomplete, including various unfinished components and structures.
Its construction site looks abandoned.
Ngo Van Phong, deputy head of the management board, stated that the project encountered challenges related to site clearance and compensation, causing delays until 2021 when it finally commenced.
Besides, the COVID-19 pandemic placed a burden on the investor, resulting in the suspension of its construction.
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| Authorities in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam are working to urge the investor of the long-delayed Suoi Voi tourist area project to proceed with its work. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre |
The investor has completed several components including ground leveling, road construction, fencing, and a security house, amounting to nearly VND154 billion ($6.3 million) in costs.
The provincial Department of Planning and Investment fined the company VND70 million ($2,860) for the delay, Phong elaborated.
“We have worked with Hoa Lu - Hue Company to remove certain obstacles and urged it to restart work on the project,” he noted.
“If the investor continues to postpone the work, the province will take back the project."
Nguyen Thanh Binh, vice-chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said that the Suoi Voi tourist area project was listed as long-stalled.
The project has sparked uproar among locals, he said.
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