Following the Articles about Cu Mong road tunnel project, this week we introduce the sharing of Architect Pham Thanh Tung, Member of the Standing Committee, Chief of Secretariat of Vietnam Association of Architects about the works to be put into operation.

Reporter: Sir, in parallel with the construction of Cu Mong road tunnel, recently, Deoca Group held a contest of “Ecological Road of Cu Mong Tunnel” to select the overall landscape construction plan for the project, how do you evaluate the investor’s interest in the environmental protection issue and sustainable development?

Architect Pham Thanh Tung: I highly appreciate the policy from Deoca Group’s leader to organize the contest “Ecological Road of Cu Mong Tunnel” aiming at through this contest, the best ideas about the landscape architectural planning of the road leading to Cu Mong Pass tunnel will be selected, creating the works that are friendly to nature and environment for restoration to the nature what had been taken away during the construction course and improvement of the working environment for a division of traffic operation and tunnel management, and at the same time facilitating the road users whenever they passing here to enjoy the works made from the natural materials, relied on the nature and assertiveness of the cultural character of Phu Yen - Binh Dinh region designed by the architect.

The society will understand more the tunnel value, value of technological sciences, honor the labor achievements, and endless sacrifices of the teams of all officials, engineers and workers of Deoca Group who built these famous tunnels whereby.

The Deoca Group’s point of view is consistent with the trend of the global sustainable development. It makes more sense that climate change has been causing increasingly instability for people on a global scale, including Vietnam.

Reporter: How do you evaluate the quality of the contest options at the competition of “Ecological Road of Cu Mong Tunnel”?

Architect Pham Thanh Tung: It is known that this is not the first time Deoca Group held an architectural contest, the Group also held a similar content contest before for Deoca Tunnel Road.

For this contest (Ecological Road of Cu Mong Tunnel) I have a lot of expectations for a successful achievement. Indeed, with 12 contested options, each option has its own very good creative ideas, and all based on the geographical and cultural characteristics of Phu Yen - Binh Dinh as an inspiration for creativity.

However, as a competition, consideration and selection are needed to find the best creative ideas, meeting the criteria set forth by the Organization Board. Really, it is uneasy for the Examining Body, including myself, a member of the Body, have to work very seriously and fairly. The voting results had been announced, however, if implementation would be conducted, no option meets the requirement including the plan of the highest award (second prize, no first prize).

Reporter: How to optimize the landscape at Cu Mong Tunnel, Sir?

Architect Pham Thanh Tung: During the construction course, especially, construction of traffic works, bridges and tunnels, the impacts and destructions of a certain part of the nature are necessary, such as drilling into mountains and tunneling have violated the nature. Therefore, mitigation of impacts upon the nature is an urgent requirement for every investor. I am impressed with the Group’s point of view that restoration of nature will be well done for things taken away from the nature, it is a very humanistic view, very cultural and a view of the sustainable development as well.

In order to optimize the landscape of Cu Mong tunnel, I think the followings should be done:

+ Creation of a green corridor on both roadsides, planting of special-use trees is suitable to the local soil, with durability, weatherproof, without much care and unaffecting traffic safety.

+ Research of a stopping - resting spaces at a reasonable interval so that road users and vehicles joining in road traffic may stop and contemplate the view. Small architectures such as flower gardens, fountains, statues - sculptures, gift-shops and sidewalk coffee should be provided at these locations.

+ Particular attention is needed to be paid to the architectural space in front of the tunnel’s gate; because this is the most impressive place for road users. The landscape and architecture here should be uniquely shaped, reflecting the regional cultural characters, and a symbol of Cu Mong tunnel as well.

Reporter: Could you tell us the role and meaning of Cu Mong tunnel when put into synchronous operation with two tunnels of Co Ma and Deoca?

Architect Pham Thanh Tung: I just say briefly, I greatly admire the achievements that Deoca Group has contributed to the society and development of the national economy. All bridges and tunnels built by the Group are the architectural works of Bridge -Tunnel of our country in the renovation period.

The tunnel breakthrough of Cu Mong to Ca passes had brought Phu Yen Province at a stretch to the nearest, most convenient, safest, most economical way to Binh Dinh and Khanh Hoa Provinces. I remember Phu Yen’s ancients said: “Phu Yen locates between two passes/ no riches are seen and poverty all year round”. And now, when the tunnel has been made breakthrough, I would like to add two sentences like this: “Ca pass has been opened now / Rich appeared, poverty has gone away.”

Thank you Sir!

By Huyen Trang