The Trung Thuy Group has completed a co-operation deal with American architect Bill Bensley to develop the Nam O Eco-tourism project in the central city’s coastal Lien Chieu District.

The group confirmed the deal to Viet Nam News on Sunday, stating Bensley, who designed the InterContinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort in 2012, would start a master plan for the coastal resort covering 24.9ha from the second and the third quarter of 2020.

Bensley’s design for the InterContinental Da Nang resort, which included the preservation of natural landscapes, helped him win the ‘Best Achievement in Design’ award by Virtuoso Hotels & Resort and Virtuoso Life magazine in 2015.

The city’s People’s Committee of Dà Nang also approved an adjustment plan on the project after 10-year preparation, from 36.6ha to 24.9ha, and a preservation plan on the current relics and coral reefs in the area.

Following the revised plan, the Nam O Eco-tourism project, which was known as the Lancaster Nam O resort, will reserve five free pathways to the public beach for local residents and restoration of a Whale Worshipping temple and the An Hon (worshipping place of the souls of sailors) temple on the coastal area of Nam O fishing village, as well as community-based tourism development.

According to the city’s construction department, the Nam O resort project with total investment of VNĐ3.3 trillion (US$146 million), is planned to have 52 beach villas, a five-star hotel, an international convention centre and entertainment on a 1km-section of Nam O beach.

The project owner said it had already completed land clearance for construction in 2018.

Da Nang has developed 50 beach projects, of which 13 were from foreign investors, in districts of Lien Chieu, Son Tra, Thanh Khe and Ngu Hanh Son. — VNS