An architect has just proposed building a high-end tourist town in Son Tra Peninsula, aiming to make Danang a major attraction in Asia.

Danang is the most important part of the central region in terms of urban planning and so is considered a decisive factor in the development of that area of the country. Municipal authorities have held various conferences on how to best develop the city into a destination in Asia. Among the ideas put on the table, that on building a luxurious town on Son Tra Peninsula was the most controversial, according to Dantri online newspaper.

Tran Ngoc Chinh, an architect and president of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, suggested constructing an entertainment and hospitality complex on the western tip of the peninsula. Residential areas and resorts would be built near the foot of the mountain, close to Tien Sa seaport.

"This proposal has been raised to make the most efficient use of this land. It has been predicted that the city will have a land problem once the population hits 2 million. The project will bring diversity in architecture and liven up the scenes, bringing Son Tra closer to Danang. Locations with a view onto the Han River are ideal," Chinh said.

Asked whether such ideas would be at odds with national security, he said every problem includes national security considerations, as well as environmental and development concerns, must be reviewed carefully before carrying it out. Because of its location, Son Tra is very important for national security.

"However, in the context of globalisation, we can have a more open mind," Chinh said.

Chinh's idea has caught attention of the chairman of Danang People's Committee, Van Huu Chien. According to Chien, such ideas are not impossible considering the large strides Danang has taken in urban development and planning.

Even though the current airport has been upgraded, it can accommodate only 10 to 12 million passengers per year, he said, adding that authorities should upgrade Chu Lai Airport to accommodate international flights which could serve the central and Central Highland regions.-VNA