On October 15, a representative of the Pleiku Construction Investment Project Management Board (Gia Lai province) said that after the welcome gate project was completed and put into use, people and tourists were all excited and delighted with this unique design.
The welcome gate has a total of 22 gings made of real, pure, and whole blocks of bronze, ordered by the construction unit from traditional craft villages outside the North to be manufactured and transported to Gia Lai.
To avoid damage or theft, 22 gongs were securely fixed on the welcome gate. These gongs have the shape of a traditional Thai roof simulated by the Central Highlands people.
Although cast in real bronze, after about 3-4 years, the management unit will have to organize cleaning, polishing and periodic maintenance to avoid the gongs from rusting, losing color, and reducing aesthetics. Any project, no matter how good the materials are, will be affected by the impact of weather and fog" - said a representative of the Pleiku Construction Investment Project Management Board.
This project worth over VND21 billion also impressed because the welcome gate is covered with a single block of stone outside the reinforced concrete structure. The stone blocks are carved with sophisticated patterns, brought back by the contractor from other provinces such as Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa.
Although Gia Lai is considered the "land of stone", there is no such special stone in the province.
In June 2025, public opinion was stirred up when it learned that the welcome gate project was worth more than 21 billion VND, of which the hanging gong system alone had " Earned" more than 4 billion VND.
Mr. Doan Huu Dung - former Chairman of the People's Committee of Pleiku City (now Secretary of the Party Committee of Dien Hong Ward) said that when establishing the project, the Department of Construction and the Management Board of Construction Investment Projects surveyed the market, assessed and agreed on the price, so "it cannot be said that the price is high".
The Provincial People's Committee also assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to inspect and evaluate the overall items of the project at the scenic Lake, especially in terms of architecture.
During the review process, it is necessary to pay special attention to ensuring traditional cultural identity, including: gong cultural space, stilt house architecture, and typical cultural symbols of the Bahnar and Jrai ethnic groups...
