VietNamNet Bridge – Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat on Monday (Feb 29) asked Viet Nam Administration of Forestry to suspend construction by Le Mont Bavi Resort and Spa in Ba Vi National Park.

A corner of Le Mont Bavi Resort and Spa in Ba Vi National Park. — Photo laodong.vn

The suspension of the unlicensed construction on the city's outskirts starts from yesterday, March 1.

Phat also said building inspectors should investigate and report the results to him before March 4.

The Le Mont Bavi Resort and Spa, in which the Company for Technology and Development (CFTD) invested, has been built at the height of 600m in Ba Vi National Park since 2008.

Do Huu The, vice-director of the park, said to a reporter of Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper that the park had signed a contract with CFTD to develop eco-tourism and protect forests over 53 years from October 2008 to October 2061.

According to the contract, the national park gave CFTD 53ha in the forest and its infrastructure at a height of 600m to 700m, and 3.5ha at a height of 800m to manage and build resorts.

CFTD gave the national park VND8 billion (US$357,000) as compensation for the damage suffered during resort construction and other expenditure.

The resort is spacious with dozens of hotels, villas and pools. Most of the projects have been completed and are being used. However, the construction has not been approved and not been given a building licence by the authorities.

Ba Vi National Park was established in January 1991 in an area of more than 10,800ha, spread across three districts of Ha Noi and two of the northern Hoa Binh Province.

The national park has many historical and spiritual sites and is a key military base of the capital.

VNS