The new Tourism Information Centre of Phuoc Tich Village, a destination in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, has now been completed and is open to serve visitors, thanks to the support of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).

The 550-year-old village contains 24 very old houses, of which the oldest was built in the 1850s. All the homes were constructed 3.5m above sea level to minimise damage caused by the annual flooding that has always plagued central Viet Nam. They are surrounded by gardens and orchards. Tourists visit the village to explore these historic buildings and to buy local traditional handicrafts.

JICA sponsored VND700 million (US$33,000) for Phuoc Tich to build the tourism centre, which will manage tours to the village, provide services for visitors and offer a place for them to rest.-VNS