A high-ranking official of Thua Thien - Hue province on March 14 told VietNamNet that the provincial people’s committee has reached a conclusion about the surveying and relocation of the villa at No26 Le Loi Street in Hue City.

The villa would be moved to the opposite area near Huong river bank and the work implemented by Nguyen Van Cu, who is called a ‘lamp genie’.

After the relocation, the site at No 26 LeLoi street would be allocated to investors to develop a commercial and service complex.

The villa was used as the head office of the Thua Thien - Hue Union of Literature and Arts Associations. Built in early 20th century in a French style, the villa with beautiful, sophisticated and very valuable architecture features is now over 100 years old.

After 1975, many musicians met there (Tran Hoan, Van Cao, Trinh Cong Son, Tran Huu Phap… etc) and poets and writers (Thanh Hai, Nguyen Khoa Diem, To Nhuan Vy, Tran Thuy Mai… etc)

It was also the place where many famous critics, researchers and poets came to exchange cultural activities.

In early 2018, Thua Thien - Hue provincial People’s Committee released a decision naming 27 construction works with typical French architecture in Hue City and a call for investments to preserve and upgrade the structures. However, the villa at No 26 Le Loi street was not on the list.

Later, the people’s committee decided to allow Logi3 QuangNam Media Service and Infrastructure JSC to consider developing a high-end hotel and commercial service at No 26 and 28 Le Loi street.

Many artists and intellectuals in Hue City opposed the plan to demolish the villa to build a hotel.

The building has typical French architectural style, with some features of native architecture, and is an indispensable part of the landscape of Le Loi street, the most beautiful in Hue.

“Moving the villa to another place instead of demolishing it, in my opinion, is a new story which deserves recognition and support,” said Ho Dang Thanh Ngoc, Chair of the Thua Thien - Hue Union of Literature and Arts Associations.

Vo Le Nhat, Chair of Hue City People’s Committee, said following the conclusion of the provincial authorities, it will assign the Construction Department to conduct research to find out if the removal of the villa to the new location would be spatially suitable. Meanwhile, the other issues, such as how to relocate the villa and whether to hire the lamp genie will be decided later. 

Quang Thanh

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