VietNamNet Bridge – The ancient central city began construction of a 780m concrete dyke to protect the old quarter with total investment of VND135 billion (US$6 million).

The ancient central city begins construction of a 780m concrete dyke to protect the old quarter with total investment of VND135 billion (US$6 million). — VNS Photo Cong Thanh

Chairman of the city's People's Committee, Nguyen Van Dung told Viet Nam News it was an urgent project to strengthen the Hoai River bank road, from Cam Nam Bridge to Japanese Bridge along Bach Dang Street, against erosion.

He said the project had prepared protection for ancient houses along the Bach Dang Street from cracks, and the project is scheduled for completion next November.

He said erosion had been seen at different sites on the road section, while the steel structure of the road was built 40 years ago.

A concrete dyke was also built on the side of the Hoai River last year to protect the favourite eco-tour sites such as Kim Bong village for carpentry, Kim Triem Tay, Duy Vinh and Tra Nhieu villages.

There has been severe erosion in Hoi An since 2013 with 20ha of Cua Dai public beach having been washed away. A 300m section of the beach was eroded two weeks ago.

An expert from Hoi An blamed the erosion on the construction of resorts on the beach and the lack of proper environmental assessments before dredging occurred in the estuary.

The city has planned an investment of VND7.5 billion ($357,000) to replant 140ha of Nipa palm along the Thu Bon River to reduce sand erosion in Cua Dai beach and Hoi An town, but the ecological solution has not yet been approved.

Ministries and agencies have been seeking a VND40 billion ($1.77 million) fund to build a 1.3km sea dyke along Cua Dai Beach.

The UNESCO-recognised ancient city has been a busy tourist site in the central region, hosting more than 1.7 million tourists this year.

VNS