Construction work on a large Buddhist administrative and cultural centre has begun in the northern mountainous province Son La. — Photo laodong.com.vn

SON LA (VNS) — Construction work on a large Buddhist administrative and cultural centre has begun in the northern mountainous province Son La.

The centre will be able to seat a total of 20,000 people at a time. It will cover about 20ha in Chieng Sinh ward in the city and encompass 80 facilities.

The centre will be built in four phases at a total cost of more than VND 200 billion (US$9.3 million) donated by organisations and individuals.

The main hall is scheduled to be completed in 2017. Final touches will be made in 2025.

Thich Thanh Quyet, head of the Executive Board of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha, on Saturday said the centre was meant to serve people from different ethnic groups in Son La.

To mark the occasion, the Sangha (Buddhist clergy) and local followers will hold a requiem for war martyrs, just ahead of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day tomorrow. — VNS