Mr.TranDang Trung, manager of the safari park, said that “it had taken twoyears to develop the open zoo at a cost of VND50 billion. Animals areallowed more space than in a regular zoo while the encounter betweenhumans and animals will also be closer. To protect visitors, deepspaces and various safety methods have been carefully applied.” The DaiNam Joint-Stock Company has set a goal of attracting two milliontourists in 2008-2009 with turnover of VND 300 billion, and in2010-2013, number of tourists will be up by 30% year on year while theturnover increases by 50%.

Visting the tourism complex...

Uponarriving at the complex, you first see the Dai Nam Van Hien Temple, oneof the most important structures in the park. The temple containshistorical exhibits and is used as a place of worship. Exhibits ofVietnam’s various dynasties from Ngo to Nguyen are also on displayhere. Dai Nam Van Hien is also called Tu An Temple (Temple of FourGratitudes), a reminder of the origins of the Vietnamese and the peoplewho helped form the country, including the Buddha, the Hung Kings, theAu Co Mother and President Ho Chi Minh. The temple, which can hold about 3,000people, is decorated with figures of four supernatural creatures – adragon, unicorn, tortoise and phoenix – and of flowers and plants –lotus, apricots, orchids, daisies and bamboo.

Nearthe Dai Nam Van Hien Temple lies the artificially created Bao SonMountain Range and the nine-storey tower, Bao Thap. The five mountainssymbolise the five elements of the universe: Kim, Moc, Thuy, Hoa, Tho(Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth). It is believed to be thecountry’s biggest artificial mountain range. The Bao Son Range is arough copy of the Ngu Hanh Son Range in the country’s central region.The surfaces of the mountains are planted with many species of plants,flowers and grass. Inside the artificial shell of the mountains areexhibits on Vietnamese history, from the Lac Long Quan and Au Co eras,to the Le Dynasty and the 1975 liberation of South Viet Nam. Depictionsof Vietnamese legends such as Banh Day (Round Cake), Banh Chung (Square Cake) and the story of the Dua Hau Do (watermelon) are also on display.

The river around the temple was built as a version of the imposing Cuu Long (Mekong) River whichhelped to create the country’s fertile southern delta. Along theriver’s two sides are bonsai and flowers as well as recreationalfacilities that include a circus, trains and a mirrored "laughinghouse" for children and a roller coaster and water slides. Adults canbathe in a warm water stream or practise tai chi. These recreational zones are separated by yards of grass and small paths lined with colourful flowers.

The northern region of the country is also introduced here, with a replica of Quang Ninh Province’s Ha Long Bay.The artificial bay was created on an area of 180,000sq.m and filledwith water and both small and large artificial limestone mountains.

DeputyPrime Minister Pham Gia Khiem at a recent visit to Binh Duong Province,said, "The park is imbued with the Vietnamese people’s cultural andhistorical characteristics and can be compared with those in the regionand in the world in aspects of size, value, and diversity of touristservices."

Historicimages of Viet Nam’s 64 provinces and cities, replicas of the wondersof the world, a zoo, and a colourful natural space are all on offer inthe Dai Nam tourism complex, that is hoped to become a new symbol ofculture and tourism...