Minister of Defence Phung Quang Thanh said the World Shine-Hue resort project, located on Hai Van Mountain need to be stopped because it poses a threat to national security.

Minister of Defence Phung Quang Thanh

The area on Hai Van Mountain lends a great vantage point to the sea in a sensitive strategic location. When it was announced that 200ha of land on the mountain would be rented to The Dieu Company, a subsidiary of World Shine Hong Kong Company, for 50 years, there was much concern.

Thanh said they wholeheartedly support projects that can attract investment into Vietnam. There are some projects that are near locations important to national security. However, the World Shine-Hue project is planned on an important location. The Ministry of Defence asked that the project be stopped. The ministry reported the issue to the government and the prime minister. 

Location on Hai Van Mountain

Provincial authorities of Thua Thien-Hue on November 26 announced that they would halt the project after realising that it may conflict with national security. They informed The Dieu Company later. They will work with the investor to deal with any problems.

The provincial chairman said they licensed the project in accordance with the law. However, he also admitted that there were mistakes during the reviewing process and did not consult the Ministry of Defence. Moreover, the managers of Chan May-Lang Co Economic Zone did not fully cooperate with other agencies.

Lieutenant General Be Xuan Truong, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, said they should stop the project completely, not just temporarily.