Soc Temple to Become Attractive Eco-tourist Site

Soc Temple to Become Attractive Eco-tourist Site

The Hanoi People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Information, the Department of Tourism and other relevant agencies held a working session on August 4 to discuss a master plan for the Soc Temple eco-tourist site. Accordingly, the 65.1 hectare area, consisting of the Soc Temple, Mountain and Lake, and other historical relics, which combine with the legend of the Giong God, will be developed into an attractive entertainment area in the north of Hanoi. Total investment capital for the project, which is expected to be approved late this month, is estimated at VND120 billion (US$7.643 million).

According to a report of the Department of Culture and Information, the preserved Soc Temple is located in the centre of the Soc Son ecological and cultural tourist area which is 34 kilometres from Hanoi to the north. The area is surrounded by hills and the planted forests of Tien Duoc commune to the west and to the north, and the Thanh Tri Lake. The Minh Tri golf course and palaces, and the Dong Lake entertainment area lie to the east (72.7 kilometres) and the Buddhism University are to the south. Inside the recently renovated Soc Temple and the Non pagoda, precious items combine in harmony with the natural landscape. However, there is only one asphalted road linking the site with National Highway 3 and the road system within the area is in a poor condition. There have yet to be any water supply or drainage facilities.

The Hanoi Department of Culture and Information proposed to divide the area into five parts in accordance with the fauna and flora in the region:

A forest area supporting the spiritual axis consists of the temple and Non pagoda, a road to the monument, Da Chong hill and a future monument. The pine forest and spiritual area will be upgraded with other ornamental trees, such as bamboo and fir-trees.

A forest of precious trees, including iron wood, textured wood and parashrea stellata, will be planted on the slopes with an aim to create a garden for managing precious plants and trees of Vietnam.

A forest of Da Lat and Sa Pa pine trees and other specific trees will be planted with the aim of creating a small natural museum of pine trees.

A mangrove forest will be planted in lakes and ponds in front of the Soc Temple to keep the land fertile, and in turn helping to develop a bird sanctuary.

A natural museum is located in the valley surrounded by hills. This place is suitable for building a natural museum with artificial ecology on an area of between five and six hectares to display the ecological system of Vietnam’s forests with tropical fauna and flora.

Investment will also be pumped into the road network in the area. Due to the fact that Soc Temple is located in an area where underground water sources are rare, lakes will be built to store water, which will make the landscape more beautiful and will maintain moisture for the sustainability of the forests. The implementation of the project may start in early 2006.

• B.L