Central Highlands' Largest Public Square Inaugurated

A public square and cultural complex spanning over 24 hectares, with a total investment of nearly VND 525 billion (approximately $20.6 million USD), was inaugurated on the evening of July 25 in Gia Nghia city, Lam Dong province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen). The project is situated by the central lake in the Bac Gia Nghia ward, formerly Gia Nghia city, Dak Nong province. Construction began in 2022 and was funded by the state budget. The complex includes a central square, museum, library, park, along with transportation systems, green spaces, and technical infrastructure. It is designed to host political and cultural events, educational activities, and recreational pursuits for residents in the western part of Lam Dong province. According to Mr. Ho Van Muoi, Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, the project will help complete the cultural infrastructure system, create a public space, and serve as an architectural highlight for Gia Nghia city. This square ranks among the top 10 largest public squares nationwide and is the largest in the Central Highlands and South Central Coast region. It is also one of the few public squares in Vietnam built in conjunction with a lake landscape, similar to Lam Vien Square in Da Lat and other projects in Tuyen Quang and Nghe An provinces. Lam Dong province aims for this area to become a center for community activities, a venue for large-scale political, economic, and cultural events, while also developing a new attraction to draw tourists to Gia Nghia. The inauguration ceremony was attended by General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense; Lieutenant General Le Xuan The, Commander of Military Region 7; along with central and local leaders. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, an art program featuring performances by artists and actors from the Lam Dong Arts Theater was held, with themes such as "Buon Lang Mo Hoi" (Village Festival Opens), "Tri An" (Gratitude), and "Lam Dong Khat Vong va Phat Trien" (Lam Dong's Aspiration and Development). On the same occasion, a trade fair and exhibition is being held at the square from July 25 to August 2, featuring approximately 100 booths from over 80 businesses, cooperatives, and production facilities within and outside the province. Source: VnExpress