Tan Vien is now back on track to continue

The $160 million Tan Vien tourism project is to continue despite earlier fears it would be scrubbed.
PetroVietnam Premier Recreation Joint Stock Company, an affiliate of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, last week confirmed it will continue to build the international tourism project in Hanoi’s Ba Vi district.
The project’s implementation was cancelled last year because a golf course segment was deemed to invade sensitive rice growing and animal raising areas. The investor then proposed to stop project until a further Hanoi People’s Committee decision.
However, the people’s committee then issued a decision to permit the investor to go ahead with the project. However, there will be only one 18-hole golf course only, instead of two 18-hole courses as before.
“Therefore, we plan to start the first phase of one golf course only, the second phase will be decided later upon Hanoi’s master plan,” said a company source.
“Our aim is to develop the area around Suoi Hai lake of Ba Vi district into a high-end international tourism area with large scale and multi-functions such as a golf course, eco-tourism area, resort villas, sport inland and water entertainment centres, hotels, conference facilities,” the source said.
The project was approved by the former Ha Tay province People’s Committee in 2007, before it merged into Hanoi, with two golf courses approved. The project is divided into two phases.
The first phase will encompass 158 hectares in Suoi Hai lake with one golf course, while the second phase is expected to take more than 1,000ha. The land mostly belongs to Suoi Hai lake and around 360ha to the Moncada Centre and the Breed Company.
The new decision issued by the prime minister said that all land used for the golf course must be uncultivated land and not impact on local people. The Tan Vien project will realise an international standard tourism and recreation complex which is expected to attract around 650,000 visitors per year.
The project will have easy access to the Lang-Hoa Lac expressway, around 60 kilometres from Hanoi.