Da Lat’s historic buildings to make way for tourism facilities

The urban beautification plan will cover 30 hectares (74 acres), including the resort town's well-known attractions: Hoa Binh Theater, Da Lat Market, Xuan Huong Lake, and a French-era palace.

An area in the heart of the city, including the Hoa Binh Theater which is one of Da Lat’s most iconic buildings, will be demolished to make way for a modern entertainment complex.

The area surrounding the Da Lat Market, built in 1934, will add a shopping mall and an underground parking lot.

The old provincial governor's palace on Dinh Hill. Photo by VnExpress/Khanh Huong

Dinh, the former provincial governor's palace which was built by the French in 1910, will be relocated to give space for a luxury commercial and service area.

The area around the Xuan Huong Lake will become a center of hotels, tourism services and public places.

Doan Van Viet, chairman of the Lam Dong Province People's Committee, said the plan is to transform Da Lat's downtown area into a tourist attraction.

The cool-climate Da Lat has always been one of the top attractions in the tropical Vietnam. It is usually dubbed Little Paris thanks to rich French heritage, which some people said is being threatened by construction rush.