The appearance after the renovation of Chùa Cầu with a total cost of over 20 billion VND has been the focus of public opinion in recent days. Since its implementation at the end of 2022, the project has now completed all renovation items including the foundation, base, bridge piers; the floor system, wooden frame, roof; electrical system, termite prevention...
Although the final stages are not yet complete, the new appearance of Chùa Cầu is receiving mixed opinions such as the lime paint not being suitable, not retaining the ancient look...
Speaking to Lao Động, Mr. Trần Đình Thành - Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) said that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Department of Cultural Heritage have appraised the project dossier, design, and the renovation process.
In addition, the Department of Cultural Heritage also coordinated with the People's Committee of Quảng Nam province to organize seminars and conferences, inviting many professors from both inside and outside the country to contribute opinions on the monument restoration project.
The Chùa Cầu restoration project has a total cost of over 20 billion VND, starting on December 28, 2022. The project is invested by the People's Committee of Hội An City, managed by the Hội An Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation Center. The state allocates the budget to the province, then the People's Committee of Quảng Nam province selects the monument to restore according to the medium-term program.
Mr. Trần Đình Thành emphasized that all information about this project has been made public locally, from the implementation content, design, to the implementation process. The Department of Cultural Heritage has coordinated with the specialized agency of Quảng Nam province and Japanese experts in the design planning as well as the construction implementation.
It is expected that Chùa Cầu will be inaugurated on August 3, on the occasion of the 20th "Hội An - Japan Cultural Exchange" event. However, the leadership of the Department of Cultural Heritage stated that the Chùa Cầu renovation project still needs acceptance.
In response to the opinions of tourists and residents, the Department of Cultural Heritage is requesting the local authorities to report specifically and respond accurately.
Previously, speaking to Lao Động, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Sơn - Chairman of the People's Committee of Hội An City, said that the renovation was closely supervised by cultural sector officials, central agencies, and involved Japanese consultants, based on the principles of transparency and openness.
Chùa Cầu was renovated to ensure it closely approximates its original, authentic state. Only the columns, piers, and wooden beams that were decayed, damaged, or at risk of collapsing were replaced. Only the foundation, columns, and structure were reinforced to ensure the safety and sustainability of the monument; the rest were reassembled as they were, with the old tiles re-roofed...
"However, the new bright lime paint color is quite far from the old color of the structure, which was mossy with the color of time, causing many objections. This is a legitimate contribution. We are currently discussing and finding solutions to adjust the color to be more appropriate," Mr. Sơn informed.
