VietNamNet Bridge – The ancient city of Hoi An has opened a wastewater treatment station to collect and clean 2,000cu.m of wastewater before pumping into the Hoai River whilst stopping pollution around its famous Japanese Bridge.

The Japanese Bridge in Hoi An. A household wastewater station has been launched in the city. — VNS Photo Cong Thanh

Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Nguyen Van Dung told the Việt Nam News that the project used US$8.87 million from a non-refundable loan from Japan and $853,000 from the government.

Dung said the station would be tested before it went into full operation on November 16.

He said it would improve the water quality flowing under the Japanese Bridge, one of the most visited sites in the tourism hub.

He said the city had invested much in infrastructure projects to improve tourism services including an information centre, parking and public toilets.

Earlier this year, Hoi An, aided by its twin town Wernigerode in Germany, also put into operation a solar-power system for public lighting, loudspeakers and lanterns.

In 2013, the city in co-operation with UNESCO and the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), also debuted a solar power system at Hoai River Square and Cham Island.

Last year, Hoi An marked the arrival of its 10 millionth tourist, which is home to over 1,000 houses between 100 and 200 years old.

Hoi An also plans to restore the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, a popular destination and cultural symbol in the city.

The bridge hosts 4,000 visitors each day.

In 2017, the UNESCO-recognised world heritage city was voted among the top 25 destinations in the world by travel website TripAdvisor.

More than 3 million tourists, of whom 50 per cent were foreigners, have visited Hoi An since early 2018. 

Source: VNS