Son La province commenced construction of a Buddhist administrative and cultural centre on July 25 which is expected to be the largest of its kind in the northwest of Vietnam.

The centre will cover about 20 hectares in Chieng Sinh ward of Son La city and encompass 80 facilities, including a three-entrance gate, an administrative area, and an event venue with a seating capacity of 20,000.

It will be built in four phases at a total cost of over 200 billion VND (9.3 million USD), mostly donated by organisations and individuals.

The main hall is scheduled to be completed in 2017 while final touches to the project will be put in 2025.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet, head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said the centre is meant to serve Buddhism teaching and learning and practice of people from different ethnic groups in Son La.

On this occasion, the Sangha and local followers held a requiem for war heroes and martyrs, just ahead of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).-VNA