VŨNG TÀU — Many historic sites in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province need to be restored to prevent them from falling into disrepair. 

Hồ Văn Lợi, director of the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that 19 national relics were in danger of further deterioration and should be restored.

"We are working with cultural researchers and historians to devise a restoration plan,” he said.

Local authorities will also support the relics’ managing board to manage and preserve ancient objects. 

In Vũng Tàu, five historic relics, such as Bạch Dinh (White Palace) and Thích Ca Phật Đài Pagoda (Theravada Buddhist), are often open to the public free of charge and need to be restored.

Bạch Dinh, one of the city’s most popular destinations, was built as a retreat for French Governor General Paul Doumer in 1898. It is located on the site of a Nguyễn Dynasty fortress and has beautiful views along the coast.

It was a penitentiary during the reign of King Thành Thái between 1906 and 1917.  The palace displays many objects in porcelain and wood.  

“We cannot afford by ourselves to restore the palace,” said Nguyễn Huy Hoàng, a tour guide and interpreter working at the palace. "We need more support from local authorities in preservation.”

Hoàng said that Bạch Dinh attracts more than 200 foreign and local visitors every day. On holidays, the number triples.

Thích Ca Phật Đài Pagoda is located on five hectares of land in the northwest of Lớn (Large) Mountain and was built in 1961.

It includes a 10.2 metre-statue of Gautama Buddha sitting on a lotus. The pagoda attracts thousands of tourists from home and abroad every year. 

The Department recently submitted a proposal on establishing a relic managing board to the province’s People’s Committee.

“Restoration methods will be issued this year,” said Lợi. — VNS