Dong Thap to Invest VND 700 Billion in Modern "Plain of Reeds" Museum

(DTO) On April 24, at the April 2026 press briefing, Mr. Nguyen Binh Minh, Deputy Director of the Dong Thap Provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, announced that the province is finalizing investment procedures for the Plain of Reeds (Dong Thap Muoi) Museum, with an estimated cost of VND 700 billion.

According to Mr. Nguyen Binh Minh, the Dong Thap Provincial People's Council issued Resolution 91 on November 16, 2025, adding the Plain of Reeds Museum Project to the list of medium-term public investment for the 2026–2030 period.

The project is designed as a modern facility following international trends. It aims to be more than a repository of historical and cultural values, serving as a hub for research, sightseeing, and experiential learning, thereby driving local socio-economic growth.

The museum's exhibitions will focus on three main themes: the Kingdom of Funan and Oc Eo Culture; the Natural History of the Plain of Reeds; and the Social History of the region.

The exhibition space will integrate indoor and outdoor areas. The outdoor section will recreate the ancient Plain of Reeds landscape and introduce archaeological sites. Meanwhile, the indoor section will concentrate on documents, artifacts, and images related to the Oc Eo and Funan cultures and the lives of wetland residents.

Notably, the museum will apply Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies to simulate the land reclamation process, characteristic ecosystems, and historic battles associated with Thien ho Vo Duy Duong and Doc binh Nguyen Tan Kieu to enhance visitor interaction.

The project is planned for the Go Thap Special National Relic Site in Doc Binh Kieu Commune, spanning approximately 7.8 hectares. The main museum facility will occupy over 5 hectares, including a 2-hectare outdoor exhibition area, a 5,000 m² performance stage, and supporting infrastructure.

The investment period is set from 2026 to 2030, with a total estimated budget of VND 700 billion sourced from the central budget, local budget, and socialized capital.

The Provincial Project Management Board has been assigned as the primary investor to coordinate with the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to finalize investment procedures, including the preparation of the political and museological outlines.

By ANH THU
Translated by X.QUANG