Hanoi’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to upgrade thehistorical relic sites of Hoan Kiem Lake, The Temple of Literature andHoa Lo Prison.

Accordingly, the department will focuson repairing damaged areas, while replacing seriously downgraded areasin the Hoa Phong Tower, the Ngoc Son Temple and other areas around HoanKiem Lake.

The department also plans to diversifytourism products in the area through organising traditional artperformance programmes at the Tran Ba Temple and festivals reproducinghistorical legends related to the lake.

The Temple ofLiterature will be developed into a cultural centre, where moreartistic events will take place for visitors.

Meanwhile, the department will apply several measures to preserve andrestore Hoa Lo Prison in order preserve the site’s historic nature.In addition, talks between former political prisoners and visitors, willbe held to attract more tourists to the site.

HoaLo prison was built in Hanoi by the French colonialists in 1896.Over more than half a century, 200 revolutionary soldiers died and thehealth of many soldiers was affected by cruel torture and longdetainment at the prison, which is now a historical site open tovisitors.

Along with repairing and upgrading thethree sites, the department will also enhance connectivity among themand other attractions to promote tourism development in the capital.-VNA