Hoi An to create France-Vietnam cultural venue

Authorities in Hoi An have worked with French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Vincent Floreani about the restoration of French buildings in the area.

Authorities in Hoi An have worked with French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Vincent Floreani about the restoration of French buildings in the area.

  

The houses on Phan Boi Chau Street

French architecture has left a mark in Hoi An Town and was finely mixed with the traditional architecture and patterns. French architecture is more prevalent in constructions such as markets, public buildings and culinary. It is an inseparable part of Hoi An's culture.

Most French buildings have been preserved along Nguyen Thai Hoc, Bach Dang, Tran Phu, Phan Chau Trinh and Phan Boi Chau streets. Phan Boi Chau Street is nicknamed as the French Street because it has 77 buildings alone. The local authorities have planned to restore the buildings and open the pedestrian streets along these routes.

"We have wanted to restore the buildings for a long time. Both the locals as well as the tourists love the buildings there. The restoration will help boost Hoi An's culture, tourism and create more jobs," said Nguyen Van Son, vice chairman of Hoi An.

Hoi An’s Centre for Culture-Sports and Radio-Television already started surveying and building the France-Vietnam Cultural Road project. They will start with the buildings on Phan Boi Chau Street and organise some events at Truong Minh Luong Street to connect it with Phan Boi Chau Street.

The house at 33-35 Phan Boi Chau will be turned into an operation centre that manages all activities of the streets. In the long term, the city authorities will organise events on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Streets and there will be events held on the river.

According to Son, if the project succeeds, the streets will become a popular venue for everyone. It will also become a place to meet and exchange for firms, organisations and the French Embassy in Vietnam.

Vincent Floreani agreed with the plan, saying that he was willing to co-operate with Hoi An authorities to create a France-Vietnam cultural venue. This will further tighten the bonds between the two countries.