40 billion VND cemetery painted back, water-facing surface
In October 2019, the infrastructure investment project to expand Truong Dong People's Cemetery was approved by the People's Committee of Thua Thien - Hue province (now Hue city) with a total investment of nearly 40 billion VND, implementation period of 3 years. The project is located in Phu Gia mountain, Lang Co town and Loc Tien commune (old Phu Loc district, now Chan May - Lang Co commune).
This area is considered to have a prime location for definitely going to the feather when the West rests on a steady mountain range, the East faces towards Lap An lagoon, adjacent to Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone with a wide view. According to initial approval, phase 1 of the project has a scale of nearly 8 hectares, with 4,488 graves. By March 2022, the project area was adjusted to increase to more than 17 hectares to meet actual needs and expand auxiliary infrastructure items. However, the project implementation process has encountered many problems, especially the construction when the legal procedures have not been completed.
At that time, although the competent authority had not yet allowed the conversion of forest land use to other purposes, the investor still carried out the construction of many items such as the main gate, storage house, resting hut, parking lot, main road and internal road system for internal subdivision. It was not until June 2024 that the People's Council of Thua Thien - Hue province (now Hue city) passed a resolution allowing the conversion of forest purposes to other purposes for the Truong Dong Cemetery project. At the same time, the Provincial People's Committee approved the payment of forest planting fees to replace the converted forest area, with an amount of more than 2.6 billion VND.
Not used yet is broken
If the prime location is considered a great potential of the project, it is the steep terrain and weak erosion geology that become factors leading to a serious risk of erosion.
Actual records show that many sections of the negative slope have been deeply eroded, forming large and long frog jawcapes. The rocks and soil were washed away, revealing each piece of land that was bare; the thick and large reinforced tarpaulin that was installed to prevent erosion has now peeled off, wrinkled, and even been washed away after heavy rains lasting from late October to mid-November.
Many internal roads of the project have long, wide cracks, some sections of the road have sunk, the concrete surface has broken into pieces and slid down the hillside. These cracks are a "dangerous sign" according to local people, especially when the rainy season in Hue is long, water from the top of the mountain flows down strongly, making the erosion more serious.
The management house and auxiliary items such as the resting hut and toilets are in a state of disrepair. Cattle encroachment has caused many constructions inside to be dirty, giving off a foul smell, the walls are dirty, and the floor is peeling.
Mr. Tran Dinh Phuoc - a resident of Phu Gia village for more than 30 years - said that there have been no landslides in this area before. However, since the cemetery project was under construction, rocks and soil began to slide down to the cemetery below and the lagoon area. "Either build embankments, or there must be some appropriate measures. Now the water from above flows down strongly, and over time it will erode and continue to cause landslides, said Mr. Phuoc.
A representative of the Project Management Board said that the adjusted feasibility study report has been completed, sent to the Department of Construction for appraisal and is being compiled by the Department of Finance to submit to the City People's Committee for approval. However, while waiting for adjustment, erosion continues, causing increased damage, repair costs and safety risks.
