The Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism submitted a report to the provincial People's Committee regarding a document issued over two weeks ago by the Khanh Hoa Center for Monument Conservation. The document was addressed to Khanh Ha Investment JSC (a subsidiary of Ha Do Group), the investor of the Bao Dai high-end resort project.
The Center had requested the company temporarily allocate two rooms in the Vong Nguyet villa within the historical complex as accommodations for a Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and a Deputy Director of the Center for Monument Conservation. Both officials had not been provided with stable housing after their work reassignments.
However, after review, the Center recognized that the proposal did not comply with regulations and issued a retraction on 9/7.
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A villa at the Bao Dai complex overlooks Nha Trang bay. Photo: Bui Toan |
A villa at the Bao Dai complex overlooks Nha Trang bay. Photo: Bui Toan
The Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism deemed the Center's proposal to use the historical monument for housing an "oversight" due to the lack of consultation with the department's leadership and its violation of current regulations on monument management and use.
The Department has demanded a review from the Center, clarifying the responsibilities of the individuals and groups involved in the error, which caused public backlash.
The Bao Dai complex, also known as Cau Da villas, comprises five ancient villas: Xuong Rong, Bong Su, Bong Giay, Phuong Vi, and Cay Bang. Built by the French in 1923, the villas feature a classic architectural style combined with gardens. From 1940 to 1945, Emperor Bao Dai and Empress Nam Phuong frequently vacationed here, leading to the complex being named after him. In 10/1995, it was recognized as a National Historical-Cultural Relic and Scenic Landscape.
In 8/2013, the provincial People's Committee approved a detailed plan for the complex, assigning 13.6 hectares of land (including 8.9 hectares of the complex and Canh Long mountain, the rest being the Nha Trang bay) to Khanh Ha company for the Bao Dai resort project. The company planned to renovate the five ancient villas for tourism rentals, and to construct a new hotel, restaurant, marina, and 36 villas for sale.
However, the project encountered numerous violations, resulting in penalties and a construction suspension by the Department of Construction in 2017. Since then, the five ancient villas have been abandoned and deteriorated.
In early 2023, the investor requested to return the land containing the five villas to the local government for restoration and preservation. The provincial People's Committee reclaimed over 9,200 m2 of land and assigned its management to the Center for Monument Conservation. Currently, the area remains under the protection of personnel appointed by the company, with the gates closed and not yet open to visitors.
Bui Toan
