The Hanoitimes – The Prime Minister has approved two projects to allocate, preserve and renovate some special historical, art and architectural relic sites in the northern province of Vinh Phuc.
Tho Tang Communal House Relic Site
Tho Tang Communal House, a National Historical, Architectural and Art Relic Site, locating in Tho Tang Town, Vinh Tuong District has been chosen to be renovated in a project, which aims to promote the site into a space for promoting Vietnamese folk culture for education and tourism.

Tho Tang Communal House, the oldest of its kind in Vinh Phuc Province. Photo kinhtedothi.vn

The allocated area is around 172.000 sq.m including strictly protected zone 1 and a buffer zone.
The draft plan has been proposed to examine the present condition of the site; assess economic, social and environmental factors affecting the site; define other prominent values of the site; figure out problems that need to be dealt with in the project; suggest ways to preserve and renovate the site.
The People’s Committee of Vinh Phuc has been chosen as the investor of the project, who will approve the budget and provide capital for the project.
The local authorities will co-ordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other concerned agencies to carry out the project.
The communal house was built in the 17th century, which is the oldest of its kind in the province. The site worships Phung Loc Ho Do Thong Dai Vuong or Lan Ho Hau, a military general under King Tran Nhan Tong reign (1258-1308), who supported the King to fight against the Mongol invaders in the 13th century. The communal house hosts a festival annually between the 10th and 15th day of the first lunar month. The event includes various folk games such as pig racing, cocks fighting and wrestling.
Binh Son Tower
The Prime Minister has also approved a project to preserve and renovate the National Historical, Architectural and Art Relic Site of Binh Son Tower, Tam Son Town, Song Lo District of Vinh Phuc Province.

Binh Son Tower in Song Lo District. Photo kinhtedothi.vn

Concerned agencies have examined the present condition of the site and surrounding area, archaeological objects and festivals involving the site.
The project aims to turn the worn-out tower into a place for promoting local folk cultural heritage.
Local authorities hope to turn the area into a luring tourism destination, connecting with other historical sites in the province into a series of diverse tourism products for the province.
The project will help protect the site from encroaching households nearby, renovate transport infrastructure, as well as improve the lighting system of the site.
Some new public areas such as parking space and toilets will be built, too.
Binh Son Tower or the tower at Vinh Khanh Pagoda, also known as Then Tower, was originally built with 13 storeys under Tran reign (1225-1400). Now only 11 storeys remain. Made of baked clay, the tower is a typical architecture of the Ly - Tran reigns and also the tallest of its kind remaining today. It was listed in March 2016 as among the last national relic sites left from the Ly - Tran period (1009 - 1400).